Tips for new expat Family?

[Gammo2184]

Hey everyone,

Basically the family and I are moving to Jakarta in March and will be sponsored by my father in law who's Indonesian. Basically the plan is to work for 3-6 months and in that time if we decide to stay we will look at starting our own business. We have a decent amount of money to self fund until I find work and we also have our own house already (well my father in-laws). But I was wondering whats the best tips anyone can think of to give us??

We have been alot to Indonesia for extended periods of time but I understand living their will be alot different but we are more or less going with a blank page to see what happens

 

[snpark]

Just double check the laws about how / what "work" you can do if only sponsored by FiL

Proper employment you also need a work permit IMTA and finding a job will be hard. And not sure even you will be able to find a job "just for 3-6" months. They don't even do 3 month work visa.

You didn't mention either your nationality or work experience

 

[harryopal1]

If you are transferring funds from your overseas bank to an Indonesian bank then I would recommend you use Transferwise.com . I lost hundreds of dollars to my Australian bank before being advised by a late, former member to use Transferwise. The exchange rates offered by the Australian banks are appalliing. Without registering you can go to the Transferwise website and immediately check the amount you would receive in Indonesian rupiah and the fees for a transfer of whatever amount you might have in mind with whatever currency. Then compare this if you used your own bank. The system is easy to use and I can have funds in my Indonesian bank in 5 minutes while saving a large amount of money on each transaction.
For other tips I recommend you use the search option before posting specific questions as there are large amounts of information on all sorts of topics.

 

[Gammo2184]

Just double check the laws about how / what "work" you can do if only sponsored by FiL

Proper employment you also need a work permit IMTA and finding a job will be hard. And not sure even you will be able to find a job "just for 3-6" months. They don't even do 3 month work visa.

You didn't mention either your nationality or work experience

Sorry mate my wife and I are Australian but the in-laws are Indonesian. I compete in combat Sports and work on the side as a trainer. I was told by the consulate here to apply once we arrive for an investment visa which would allow me to work. Basically the plan is if we find a market need we will start our own business in my sport.

 

[Will_M]

“Finding work” whilst here I think will be difficult. The process itself takes months. My original KITAS took over 2 months to complete although that did include the Christmas break. I believe it is expensive for companies to employ foreigners and it’s not taken lightly, I doubt anyone would employ for you for few months position as most jobs for foreigners are management / senior level positions.

Living here isn’t too different, especially if your wife, extended is Indonesian, it should be easy. Took me ages to work out how to top up my “HP” with data when I first got here. Took me a while to work out what a “HP” was if truth be told...

 

[Gammo2184]

“Finding work” whilst here I think will be difficult. The process itself takes months. My original KITAS took over 2 months to complete although that did include the Christmas break. I believe it is expensive for companies to employ foreigners and it’s not taken lightly, I doubt anyone would employ for you for few months position as most jobs for foreigners are management / senior level positions.

Living here isn’t too different, especially if your wife, extended is Indonesian, it should be easy. Took me ages to work out how to top up my “HP” with data when I first got here. Took me a while to work out what a “HP” was if truth be told...
[/QUOTE


"HP" as in hand phone??? Lol first time I saw it when I travelled there in 2012 I wondered the same thing ?

Perhaps our best option may be just to start a business from scratch once there? Although I don't think that's practical if I can't get work it may be my only option

 

[Gammo2184]

If you are transferring funds from your overseas bank to an Indonesian bank then I would recommend you use Transferwise.com . I lost hundreds of dollars to my Australian bank before being advised by a late, former member to use Transferwise. The exchange rates offered by the Australian banks are appalliing. Without registering you can go to the Transferwise website and immediately check the amount you would receive in Indonesian rupiah and the fees for a transfer of whatever amount you might have in mind with whatever currency. Then compare this if you used your own bank. The system is easy to use and I can have funds in my Indonesian bank in 5 minutes while saving a large amount of money on each transaction.
For other tips I recommend you use the search option before posting specific questions as there are large amounts of information on all sorts of topics.

Cheers mate that's great info much appreciated

 

[Ruserious]

If your moving to Jakarta then try to get a house on top of a bit of a hill......

 

[R Cameron]

Perhaps our best option may be just to start a business from scratch once there? Although I don't think that's practical if I can't get work it may be my only option

I don't feel like writing a short book here, but know that legitimate employment, especially on that timeline, is essentially impossible. I doubt immigration and manpower officials will see a sport trainer as a position that can not be effectively done by many locals. Generally the foreign employee positions are things like engineers (with relevant degrees and experience) and English teachers (with relevant degrees and experience).

If you start your own business, there are only certain categories that are available for foreigners. Here is a summary: https://greenhouse.co/blog/indonesia-negative-list/ It seems "Sports Facilities" has recently been added, which bodes well for you. If you are the investor/director the visa is a given, but you may not be permitted to personally participate in training, something to check with a lawyer and/or manpower.

Another option would be having the Father in Law start the business, which is much easier to set up for an Indonesian, and then start the process of hiring you as a trainer and/or director. That will still be slow and complicated, but higher chance of success than seeking legitimate employment from someone unrelated.

 

[Gammo2184]

I don't feel like writing a short book here, but know that legitimate employment, especially on that timeline, is essentially impossible. I doubt immigration and manpower officials will see a sport trainer as a position that can not be effectively done by many locals. Generally the foreign employee positions are things like engineers (with relevant degrees and experience) and English teachers (with relevant degrees and experience).

If you start your own business, there are only certain categories that are available for foreigners. Here is a summary: https://greenhouse.co/blog/indonesia-negative-list/ It seems "Sports Facilities" has recently been added, which bodes well for you. If you are the investor/director the visa is a given, but you may not be permitted to personally participate in training, something to check with a lawyer and/or manpower.

Another option would be having the Father in Law start the business, which is much easier to set up for an Indonesian, and then start the process of hiring you as a trainer and/or director. That will still be slow and complicated, but higher chance of success than seeking legitimate employment from someone unrelated.

Thanks I Really appreciate your reply. Focusing on the last part of your reply my father in law and I have already spoken of that n it's definitely an option for us. Do you think in your opinion that's most likely the best option?? Also how strictly are visa's checked? for example here in Australia it's common for people to work "off the books" until visa's come through, not ideal but just wondering

 

[snpark]

Highly illegal and not worth the risk. They check. Even at your residence asking your neighbours what times you leave and come back, wearing a suit, briefcase etc. Since there are so few expats here it is easy to investigate one. Just don't take the chance.

 

[Will_M]

Any company willing to employ you without a permit isn’t worth working for. I doubt the pay would be very good and locals would probably begin blackmailing you also.

 

[gemima]

Thanks I Really appreciate your reply. Focusing on the last part of your reply my father in law and I have already spoken of that n it's definitely an option for us. Do you think in your opinion that's most likely the best option?? Also how strictly are visa's checked? for example here in Australia it's common for people to work "off the books" until visa's come through, not ideal but just wondering

They do check - I recently had immigrasi call at my apartment during work hours. I'm 100% legal, got all my papers but they still came calling!
Never had them show up at my office though but I have heard stories from friends about that happening. As Snpark says, we do tend to stand out here and a foreigner working in certain roles (training combat sports for instance) will really stand out even more.

 

[snpark]

After a while you start to recognise them, the dodgy looking pair of indonesians in starbucks watching and listening to every foreigners conversations, even the Jatanras guys in the clubs looking for drug dealers, Even the undercover cop with the gun always in DF who always comes up to me and says hi and shakes my hand. If they know you well enough and know you are clean, they even give you a 5 min warning about maybe time to exit before the raid and pee test.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

They do check - I recently had immigrasi call at my apartment during work hours. I'm 100% legal, got all my papers but they still came calling!

What happens if you just don't open the door of your apartment? Are they allowed to break it down, even if there is no-one there?

 

[snpark]

What happens if you just don't open the door of your apartment? Are they allowed to break it down, even if there is no-one there?

Why would they want to break it down? And why wouldn't you open it? They already know where you live, that is your registered address. And most apartments you need to be cleared by security to access the lift anyway so either they spoke to you on the intercom or the security escort them to your door. If you don't answer, they just come back. Or they sit and wait for you.
If you have done nothing illegal then you have nothing to fear. Refusing to answer the door to any official with a legitimate reason would be foolish. It's not like they come every week. It's usually once during your KITAS etc processing.
This is way it pays to nice to security staff, they only have to mention what a player you are and having multiple female visitors and it could potentially get ugly.

They have more than enough info on you anyway just from watching your building and asking other people and the receptionist etc. Like I said, if they think you are working on a tourist visa etc they can get the proof very very easily.
Not you personally of course, but while their laws seem petty regarding immigration and working, they are not really a big deal to comply with, once a year visit for a photo and fingerprints, and they leave you alone.

 

[harryopal1]

This is hardly unique to Indonesia as most developed countries have similar visa and work laws and if you transgress you are likely to be locked up and then deported.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Why would they want to break it down? And why wouldn't you open it?
Not you personally of course, but while their laws seem petty regarding immigration and working, they are not really a big deal to comply with, once a year visit for a photo and fingerprints, and they leave you alone.

Indeed, on Monday I will be getting my unlimited spouse KITAP, so should be left alone... for ever! I'm still not sure I would open a door to an apartment to a team from manpower or immigration (not that I live in an apartment). If anyone official-looking knocks on our house gate we would generally ignore anyone except pak RT, unless they had phoned in advance.

 

[snpark]

A surprise house visit at least once is mandatory. I think they come in and interview you and your wife for KITAP? Someone will confirm here

 

[fastpitch17]

Indeed, on Monday I will be getting my unlimited spouse KITAP, so should be left alone... for ever! I'm still not sure I would open a door to an apartment to a team from manpower or immigration (not that I live in an apartment). If anyone official-looking knocks on our house gate we would generally ignore anyone except pak RT, unless they had phoned in advance.

Just ignore them. They normally will not issue your KITAP without the visit.