First 90 days in Indonesia — checklist for new expats

Your first 90 days in Indonesia will set the foundation for everything that follows. This checklist assumes you arrive on a long-stay visa (KITAS, B211A or E33G) or have plans to convert. Adapt for your situation.

Week 1 — landing

[ ] Buy a local SIM (Telkomsel best coverage; Indosat / XL cheaper) at the airport or a small shop. Bring passport.
[ ] Install Gojek and Grab apps with a local phone number.
[ ] Book short-term accommodation (1–4 weeks) — Airbnb, Booking.com or a serviced apartment. Avoid signing anything long-term.
[ ] Get cash from a BCA or Mandiri ATM inside a bank branch (not a convenience store kiosk).
[ ] Find your nearest Western-acceptable supermarket and a reliable local warung.
[ ] Buy a power adapter and surge protector for your laptop.
[ ] Photograph your passport, visa, KITAS (if held), insurance card. Store in cloud + offline.

Week 2 — orientation

[ ] Walk or scooter around your area. Identify gym, café, supermarket, hospital and ATM within 15 minutes.
[ ] If you'll drive a scooter — take a lesson with a local instructor (USD 30–60). Do not learn on Bali roads.
[ ] Visit one or two coworking spaces if relevant; talk to other expats.
[ ] Open a Wise account if you don't already have one. Move a buffer of working capital.
[ ] Start looking at long-term accommodation only after week 3 — first impressions are misleading.
[ ] Verify the closest pre-authorised hospital from your insurer. Add it to your phone with directions.

Weeks 3–4 — settling

[ ] Sign a 1–3 month "intermediate" lease if you've found an area you like.
[ ] Get KITAS process started if not already done (immigration agent or sponsor).
[ ] Join 2–3 local expat Facebook or WhatsApp groups for your area.
[ ] Register at the local kelurahan (RT/RW) if your visa requires lapor diri.
[ ] Sort out a local laundry service (USD 1–3/kg).
[ ] Set up a Telkomsel post-paid plan if you'll stay long.

Month 2 — paperwork

[ ] KITAS issued (if not already)
[ ] BPJS Kesehatan registration (mandatory for KITAS holders since 2019; pay the monthly contribution)
[ ] NPWP (Indonesian tax number) application if you'll be tax resident — free at KPP
[ ] BCA account opening with KITAS + NPWP
[ ] Sort out long-term scooter rental or driver
[ ] Update international insurance with your new address
[ ] Get a local English-speaking GP appointment to establish a relationship
[ ] Subscribe to Telkomsel Indihome or local fibre if working from home

Month 3 — decision point

[ ] Decide whether you're committing. If yes — sign a longer lease.
[ ] Sort out furniture and household items you've been making do without.
[ ] Schedule visa-renewal reminder ahead of expiry (set 30 days early)
[ ] Make a list of what you wish you'd shipped and arrange next visit-home priorities
[ ] Re-evaluate which area suits you — many expats move once in their first year

Things people forget

Notarised translation of your driving license (if you'll drive)
A small emergency cash float in IDR at home for power outages
An offline backup of important documents
Letting your home-country bank know you're abroad to avoid card freezes
Setting your home-country mail forwarding or filtering

Common mistakes

Signing a 12-month lease in week 1
Buying a scooter in your first month instead of renting
Renewing on the same visa over and over instead of switching to KITAS
Skipping insurance for the "first few weeks while I figure things out"
Not getting BPJS Kesehatan and then needing the public system

Verify before acting

KITAS, BPJS, NPWP and visa renewal requirements change. Use a licensed Indonesian immigration agent for KITAS processing — the cost (USD 300–700 typical) is well worth it for the time and risk saved. See disclaimer.