Welcome To Indonesia

The national language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, commonly referred to as Indonesian. There are also over 300 local and regional dialects. English is the most popularly learned foreign language, as it is used in business, tourism, and academia. The Indonesian government requires expat workers to undergo formal Indonesian language training before obtaining a work permit.

Indonesia’s public healthcare system is variable. Most expats choose to visit private facilities. For services beyond routine medical checkups and basic care, traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, or Bangkok is typical. The risk of mosquito-borne diseases is high, and vaccination is recommended. Air pollution is an issue on many days and may cause difficulty for those most susceptible. Tap water is unsafe to drink, and bottled water should be used for drinking and cooking.

Crime in Indonesia is relatively common but mostly non-violent. Common crimes include pickpocketing, bag snatching, and home break-ins. Terrorist attacks are a concern and security precautions are in place. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and flooding are all common natural disasters in Indonesia.

In most areas, homosexuality is legal, but some areas have more restrictive local ordinances governed by Sharia Law. Same-sex marriage is not recognized.

There is no further local registration requirement outside of the visa process.

Visa processing times for a typical case into Jakarta are two months on average, depending on the type of visa and other factors.

Indonesia is known for its traffic congestion and loosely enforced traffic laws. It is recommended to hire a car with a driver rather than attempt to navigate the traffic independently. Indonesia has a public transportation system, and while some services are available, they are not always reliable or efficient, particularly outside the major cities. Buses are the standard mode of transportation within cities. Intercity and commuter trains are also available on Java.

The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). There are several international and local banks in Indonesia from which to select, and bank accounts can usually be opened in one day. Some banks may require up to five days to process documents.