Living in Indonesia
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Indonesia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Indonesia
Help from the Indonesian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Indonesia, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Jakarta cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Indonesia.
Professional help in Indonesia
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Indonesia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Indonesia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Indonesia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Indonesia before you travel.
Visas and stay permits
Check which visa or stay permit you need to live in Indonesia. You can apply for a visa or stay permit online.
You can get a visa or stay permit to:
- work
- study
- retire
- join family
If you want to extend your visa or stay permit, read guidance for your specific visa or stay permit.
For more information, read Indonesian immigration laws on visas and stay permits.
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you must register at your local civil registration office. They will issue your residence certificate (‘Surat Keterangan Tempat Tingal’, SKTT).
If you have any problems or questions about registering, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Indonesia depending on your personal circumstances.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on permanent stay permits.
Citizenship
In most cases, Indonesia does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Indonesian citizen.
If you’re asked to provide a ‘no objection to Indonesian citizenship’ letter from the British embassy, download the Indonesia letter from our British nationality letters page.
To find out if you’re eligible for Indonesian citizenship:
- read guidance on Indonesian citizenship requirements and procedures (in Indonesian)
- contact the Indonesian Ministry of Law (in Indonesian)
- contact the Indonesian Embassy in London (in Indonesian)
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Jakarta cannot help with Indonesian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (visas)
- the Indonesian Ministry of Law (in Indonesian) (citizenship)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Indonesia
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Indonesia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Indonesia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Indonesian and international providers. If you’re working in Indonesia, check with your employer if health insurance is part of your employment package.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Indonesia
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Indonesia
Working in Indonesia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Indonesia, you need a work permit and a stay permit.
Contact the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower (in Indonesian) for information about work permits.
Driving in Indonesia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Indonesia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Indonesia. This includes information on driving in Indonesia, including driving licence rules.
You can drive in Indonesia with your UK driving licence and an international driving permit for as long as they are both valid.
If you have a temporary or permanent stay permit, you can apply for an Indonesian driving licence. Indonesian driving licences are called SIMs (‘Surat Izin Mengemudi’). Contact the Indonesia National Police (in Indonesian) for information on how to apply for a SIM.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Indonesia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Indonesia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Indonesian Directorate General of Taxes for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Indonesia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Indonesia.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming an Indonesian pension
If you’ve worked in Indonesia, contact BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to find out whether you can claim a pension in Indonesia.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Indonesian benefits
The Indonesian government does not provide benefits to foreign nationals.
Buying and renting property in Indonesia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can buy property in Indonesia, but there are restrictions on owning land. Contact an English-speaking lawyer if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Indonesia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Indonesian elections
You cannot vote in Indonesian elections unless you hold Indonesian citizenship.
Studying in Indonesia
If you plan to study in Indonesia, you must meet all visa or stay permit requirements before you travel. You can apply for a visa or stay permit online.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Indonesia
- contact the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (in Indonesian)
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (in Indonesian) provides information about the school system in Indonesia.
All children aged 7 to 15 must attend school or home school in Indonesia.
For more information, read guidance on the Indonesian government’s Education House website (in Indonesian, some pages require sign in). This includes information and services for parents and children.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Indonesia, register the birth at your local civil registry office (‘Kantor Catatan Sipil’ or ‘Disdukcapil’) within 60 days of the birth.
Check with your local civil registry office what documents you need to get an official birth certificate (‘Akte Lahir’). You will need this to register with immigration. The documents you need may include:
- a hospital birth certificate (‘Surat Keterangan Lahir’)
- your passport(s)
- marriage certificate if applicable
Unmarried parents may not be able to state the father’s name on an Indonesian birth registration. For advice, contact:
- an English speaking lawyer in Indonesia
- your local civil registry office
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Indonesia, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Indonesia. For information about LGBT+ rights in Indonesia, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Indonesia.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
To get divorced in Indonesia, the court you use depends on your religion. Muslim couples must use the religious court. Non-Muslims must use the district court.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Indonesia.
Documents for British people in Indonesia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Indonesia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Indonesia, you will need an import licence from the Indonesian Directorate of Livestock and Animal Health. There are some areas of Indonesia you cannot bring pets into. For more information:
- consult a reputable pet import company
- contact the Indonesian Embassy in London (in Indonesian)
- read taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Indonesian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Added further information on registering a birth in Indonesia to the 'Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership' section
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In 'Visas, residency and citizenship' information added on applying for Indonesian citizenship.
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Adding a link to a visa overstay and deportation guide in 'Visa and residency' section.
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Complete redrafting of this guidance, including removal of content related to coronavirus.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Update on contents, including COVID-19 related information.
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Updated.
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Updated.
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Revise the links on the article.
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First published.