As long as you are older than 55 retirement visa is one of the most convenient ways to stay in Indonesia. However, there are certain conditions you have to meet to be eligible for it.
This article serves as a guide on how to prepare and receive your retirement visa in Indonesia.
Indonesia Retirement Benefits for Foreigners
You will experience plenty of benefits by settling in in Indonesia:
- You can live in Indonesia for years
- Enter and exit the country as often as you would like
- Lease land
- Get a local bank account
There are a few requirements for those who would like to apply for a retirement visa in Indonesia. See if you match the criteria and where to begin the preparation of your journey:
| Subject | Eligibility Requirements |
| Age | 55 or older |
| Work | There is no plan to work in Indonesia |
| Life and Health Insurance | Insurance provider can be a company of your own choosing, although it must cover Indonesia |
| Home | Sign a lease agreement for 1 year |
| Maid | Hire a maid or a domestic helper |
| Funds | Your pension/deposit account requirement is $US 18,000 per year |
There is also a requirement as per to the country of citizenship. For example, the Pakistani citizens have been added to the eligibility list only recently. The countries that are not eligible for a retirement visa are:
- Afghanistan
- Guinea
- Israel
- North Korea
- Cameroon
- Liberia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Somalia
The citizens of the countries above may apply for a calling visa instead. If your home country is not listed above then you have no citizenship restriction, which means that you can move forward with processing a retirement visa.
Although, note that only an appointed agency (called sponsor) can apply for it. The application goes through the Ministry of Tourism, the sponsor or their partner has to have the right to acquire a retirement visa from the ministry.
Three Stages of Retirement Visa in Indonesia
There are three simple steps you need to follow to process your retirement visa in Indonesia:
- Collect and send documents over to your agent at Emerhub
- Pick up your new retirement visa from an Indonesian Embassy
- Convert your visa to a Temporary Residence Permit (KITAS) once you arrive to Indonesia with your visa
Make sure you also inform the agent about the Indonesian Embassy you are planning to pick up the visa from. If you don’t have an Indonesian embassy in your country you can obtain your visa from another country. Such as Singapore.
Photo by Hugo Matilla on Unsplash
1. Prepare Documents for Your Retirement Visa Agent
Emerhub can become your agent and help prevent any obstacles or delays in the issuance of your retirement visa. This means that our legal team consultants support you whenever the need occurs. Beware of the companies that promise to deliver your retirement visa with less documentation than the list we have combined here. The gap in your documentation might be used against you if unforeseeable problems come up. Take the extra precautions not to run into trouble months or years down the line and present all the documents that are required:
- Copies of all passport pages. Your passport needs to be valid for at least another 18 months and have at least 6 remaining blank pages
- A letter that states you will employ a maid, will not be working in Indonesia and that you have secured your accommodation
- In case you are renting, the lease agreement must include the property owner’s name, address of the house, the amount of rent, and you must also attach a copy of the landowner’s identity card (KTP)
- Copy of both your health insurance policy and life insurance policy
- Copy of a bank account statement; or a proof that you are holding a pension (and any other documentation that proves you have sufficient funds at your disposal).
The minimum amount is $US 1,500 per month to provide the applicants living expenses during the proposed stay in Indonesia (a total of $US 18,000 per year)
- Photographs with red background
- A sponsor letter which Emerhub will provide you with
We will review all the documentation and proceed the application. Immigration will take around two weeks to go over your application and give an approval.
2. Pick Up Retirement Visa From an Indonesian Embassy
Once the application is approved you will get a telex visa that you have to take to an Indonesian embassy abroad. You will then go to the embassy together with your passport and pick up the visa.
Before going to the embassy please check the embassy homepage or turn to the embassy directly to learn about any additional requirements besides the copy of telex, sponsor letters and a passport. The most common requirements are to fill in an application and provide a passport photo. However, some embassies require additional documents.
Keep in mind that embassies have their own processing times, thus make sure to have enough time to finalize your visa on spot. One of the fastest ways is traveling to Singapore. Together with the help of a local agent, you will receive your visa within one business day. Once having received the visa in Singapore you can pack up and enter Indonesia – it is time to continue with converting.
3. Convert visa to a Temporary Residence Permit (KITAS)
Once you are in Indonesia it is up to your agent to convert your visa into a KITAS. You only need to visit the immigration office to give fingerprints and take a photo. As a retirement KITAS holder, you will receive the following documents:
- A retirement KITAS
- A certificate of registration of temporary residency (SKPPS & SKTT)
- Resort police report (STM)
- Police card (SKLD)
The above visa gives you the permission to stay in Indonesia for one year. Retirement KITAS is extendable for up to a maximum of five years with annual extensions. After that you can apply for a Permanent Stay Permit KITAP, which is valid for five years. Or, instead, cancel the KITAS with an Exit Permit Only (EPO).
Note that if you want to visit other countries while on your retirement visa, you can not just be up and running. You should apply for either an Exit Re-entry Permit (ERP), valid for three months, or the Multiple Exit Re-entry Permit (MERP), valid for six months. Emerhub will provide this together with your retirement KITAS so you can freely move around the country whenever you feel the need.
Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash
Retirement in Indonesia for Married Couples (Dependent KITAS)
Married couples often have Indonesia in their bucket list – it is not rare to find them cherishing their long unit by retiring on one of the archipelago’s islands. However, meeting the requirements of a retirement KITAS is sometimes difficult for both of the partners. Note that if one of you already has the retirement KITAS, the other can apply for a visa called a dependent KITAS.
A dependent KITAS is a more convenient option as the process and requirements are simpler. In fact, you can also apply a dependent KITAS for your kid when retiring if he or she is under 18 years old.
When both partners of a married couple apply for a retirement KITAS then their applications are going to be launched separately. So, if your main income is your personal pension it still needs to be for the minimal amount of $US 1,500 per person. Although, you do not need two maids, as well as shared assets, can be used by both, proving that you have enough funds.
We have some further reading for foreigners who have married an Indonesian. When your spouse is a citizen of Indonesia, you can also apply for the spouse-sponsored marriage KITAS.
Paying Taxes When Retired in Indonesia
Once you get a retirement KITAS or a dependent KITAS you become a resident in Indonesia. Therefore you must report your global income in Indonesia. Alike to Indonesians, a foreigner on retirement visa must also pay the Indonesian Personal Income Tax. See the clarifying table regards to the taxable income.
| Yearly Income (IDR) | Tax Rate |
| Up to 50,000,000 | 5% |
| Over 50,000,000 not exceeding 250,000,000 | 15% |
| Over 250,000,000 but not exceeding 500,000,000 | 25% |
| Over 500,000,000 | 30% |
Complete Retirement Service for Retirees in Bali
Besides handling the retirement visa, Emerhub can also provide a complete retirement service in Bali. This includes everything you need for a comfortable everyday living at a fraction of the cost compared to your home country.
Finding Housing
While there are many good quality housings available in the popular touristic areas, finding a good deal is often a hassle. That is why Emerhub provides the support in finding you a house that meets your budget and makes sure all the paperwork is in order. This service also assures you won’t pay above market rate.
Domestic Helper
Pembantu or a maid in Indonesia categorizes as household staff. The skills of a domestic helper vary greatly. Some are specialized in babysitting, others in cleaning the house, the pool, ironing your clothes, shopping etc. With the growing middle class in Indonesia, hiring a domestic helper is a common service. There can be different types of maids in your household and they work as per agreements. The domestic helpers either live with you or visit on a daily or weekly basis, depending on your lifestyle.
Best Places to Retire in Indonesia
Fortunately for expats, Indonesia has plenty of islands to choose from. In fact, if routine is not your desired way to retire, do the exact opposite and travel. Your retirement visa in Indonesia allows multiple entry, thus you are welcome to either settle down in one spot or relocate temporarily every now and then.
Photo by Sven Scheuermeier on Unsplash
Liveolive Money Center listed a number of hip cities to retire in Indonesia. We found out what is the cost of living in each via Expatistan.com and put together a comparison for you:
| Location | Region | Housing (compared to Jakarta) | Food/ restaurant prices |
| Jakarta | D.K.I Jakarta | 100% | 100% |
| Yogyakarta | Central Java | 63% lower | 59% lower |
| Padang | West Sumatra | 11% lower | 53% lower |
| Manado | North Sulawesi | 19% lower | 53% lower |
| Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud | Bali | 43% lower | 9% lower |
| Bandung | West Java | 47% lower | 37% lower |
What you should consider is that each part of the archipelago comes with its own highlights. Some have the perfect beaches, others have the wildlife, some are especially green and set a perfect example of what agriculture should look like. Some areas are known for the numerous spas, restaurants and resorts.
Many readers have heard the country is holding worldwide festivals and cultural events, while others know it for gathering most knowledgeable foodies and yogis. List your priorities and choose the area you feel is the closest to your heart.
Our consultants are based in both Bali and Jakarta and can help with processing your retirement documents for all across Indonesia. Leave your contacts below and we will get back to you shortly.
Featured image by Link Hoang on Unsplash
