Doesn’t Indonesia sound like a fantastic option to spend your retirement? Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with Indonesia (and/or an Indonesian) throughout your prior visits or seek something distinguishable to sweep away your old age…
The country boasts areas exuding the “slow life” with a dash of excitement and warm weather and people. Bali is a popular choice; Yogyakarta, Solo, and Bandung are reportedly seeing more expat retirees; and Lombok starts to pick up a status of being a newfound slice of bliss. Wherever it is, you’d instantly know the “where” that pleasantly fits the bill. You’d even already prepared your funds. Or else, why even ponder on moving?
Retiring in Indonesia: Second Home Visa
Not to crop you out of your blissful pondering - you’d have to consider the legal aspect firsthand. And the Indonesian government has issued the Second Home Visa in recent years to accommodate the surging collective desire.
Ah, visa. It’s never fun to deal with. Depending on your nationality, your prior visits may merely require you to pay Rp 500,000 for a Visa on Arrival. Relocating to Indonesia as a retiree is a whole different deal. It is advisable to seek an agent’s assistance to deal with your visa. Though your costs would add up, the convenience is unparalleled.
About the Second Home Visa
Once upon a time, foreign retirees held onto Indonesia’s Retirement Visa as their golden ticket to stay in a retirement haven. But their worlds turned upside down in December 2020; when the government announced that a limited-stay visa for foreigners without the need of employment or marriage was under consideration. This included foreign elderly tourists. It sure sparked some controversy amongst foreign retirees across the country! (Keep reading to get onto that).
Fast forward to 25th October 2022, foreigners already retiring in Indonesia and those inspired to follow suit were urged to apply for the newly issued Second Home Visa. “Second Home”, as explained by the Directorate General of Immigration at the Law and Human Rights Ministry is “a visa type that can be chosen by foreigners who wish to live in Indonesia for five or 10 years and not work. The policy is based on a government regulation which aims to make it easier for international elites or world investors who wish to observe business potential and arrange investment permits to be developed in Indonesia.”
Requirements for the Second Home Visa
In short, holders can stay and carry out various non-work activities such as investment, tourism, and more. The highlighted parts are both appealing and agonising.
Applicants are required to provide proof of funds worth Rp 2 billion as a means of immigration guarantee. The sum is to be stored in an account owned by the foreigner under a state-owned bank, such as BNI, BRI, Mandiri, or BTPN and should never be withdrawn until their residence permit expires. Applicants can also show proof of a luxury property ownership certificate in Indonesia.
On the flip of the coin, a guarantor isn’t essential. Instead, the applicant can swing in their family members to paradise. Plus, this visa is granted for foreigners to enter and stay in Indonesia for five or 10 years.
If that doesn’t diminish your desire, next is to prepare your documents. You must provide the following:
Copy of a valid passport for a minimum of 36 months
Proof of funds in foreigners’ bank accounts that must be placed in Indonesian government-owned banks of at least Rp2 billion or equivalent
Recent colour photograph (4 cm x 6 cm) with a white background
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Proof of health insurance/travel insurance that also includes financial health information
In retrospect, those who wish to follow an approved applicant (husband, wife, or parents) - in other words, dependents - need to provide the following during an application:
Copy of a valid passport for a minimum of 36 months
Recent colour photograph (4 cm x 6 cm) with a white background
A valid Second Home Visa or Second Home Temporary Stay Permit of their husband, wife, children, or parents
Evidence of having a family relationship with a holder of a Second Home Visa or Second Home Stay Permit by showing a marriage certificate for a spouse who holds a Second Home Visa or Stay Permit; or a birth certificate or family card stating that the foreigner is the parent or child of the holder of a Second Home Visa or Stay Permit, translated into Indonesian by a sworn translator, except if the document is already in English.
Applying for a Second Home Visa
So, you’ve met the criteria and have your documents ready. Awesome!
Navigating the process of obtaining a Second Home Visa has been made easier, to say the least. That is if you wish to apply yourself (without an agent).
Hit the enter button to Molina in your search bar. Click “Register” and fill out the Registration Form correctly. Be sure to have your passport, latest photo of a maximum of 200 KB, and email address ready as well. Once the form is completed, you can click “Submit”. The system will send an email containing the Account Activation Confirmation to the registered email. Login to apply by clicking here and follow the procedure.
It’s a matter of time until your visa approves. Good luck with your packing and further planning!
