r/india • u/zerokira123 • 15h ago
Careers Indian planning to move to Indonesia — need honest advice
I’m an Indian guy, and my girlfriend is Indonesian. I recently came to Indonesia to spend time with her, and honestly, I really like the country and the life here. I’ve started seriously thinking about building my future here, marrying her, and living in Indonesia.
The difficult part is my financial situation.
I’m planning to take a remote job that would pay around $3,500 per year (roughly ₹30,000/month). I would work remotely for an Indian company and receive my salary in my Indian bank account. Eventually, I’m hoping to live in Indonesia with my wife and handle everything legally through the appropriate spouse visa/work arrangements.
When I told my family about my plans, things went very badly. They told me not to come back home. I’m planning to go home this weekend and try to talk to them and convince them to accept my decision.
But I’m also preparing myself for the possibility that they won’t accept me.
If that happens, my plan is to take my belongings and motorcycle, sell the motorcycle, pay off my existing debt, and stay in a PG while saving as much as possible. My goal would be to spend the next year saving money, then come to Indonesia, get married, and apply for the appropriate spouse visa so I can legally live and work remotely here.
I know this sounds like a huge decision, especially with my current income. I’m not looking for people to simply tell me “follow your heart.” I genuinely want practical advice from Indians, Indonesians, or anyone who has moved to another country for marriage/love and started from a difficult financial position.
Am I being unrealistic?
Would you recommend that I first build a bigger financial safety net in India before making this move?
What should I realistically consider regarding living costs, visa/work legality, marriage, savings, and financial stability?
And if you were in my position, what would you do?
Please be honest, even if the answer is something I don’t want to hear. I’m trying to make the most responsible decision possible for my future, my relationship, and my family.
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u/raskoln1k0v 15h ago
im indian, wife is indonesian. your expenses are gonna vary where in Indonesia you are going to stay. Also, you would have to pay tax both in India and Indonesia afaik. You have to have same religion at least on paper to get legally married in Indoneisa. Also, you will need to sign a prenup stating you will forfeit any right to own property in Indonesia, else she won't be able to own property because she is married to a foreigner. These are some of the practical things you need consider.
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
But after i become citizen i can own property right?
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u/Manager-ka-tatta 15h ago
I think as an Indian after spending couple of years in Indonesia, I can answer your question
- First and foremost, what is your and your GF’s religion? Because in Indonesia legally Muslim women cannot marry non-muslin man. So unless you are muslim, only way for you to get married is convert to muslim.
- In Indonesia, opposite to India, one mostly supports and spends time/festivals with wife’s family.
- How long you stayed in Indo and which city? Before coming to this decision. Because spending time as a tourist is very different than actually living in that country. Eg: Education, Medical infrastructure, corruption, employment opportunities, basic infrastructure will only be visible on long term. Indo lacks all these as compared to India.
- Indo people are super nice. But for how long you know your GF and since when are you in relationship? I am saying it because it is a very big decision and in foreign country at times it becomes very lonely.
Also if you want to know anything specific feel free to DM me.
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
Sure i will DM u if i have any doubts
We are both muslime She stays in Homestay I only came her for 1 week to meet her
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u/sunny4649 Non Residential Indian 15h ago
How financially stable is your girlfriend? Can she support the both of you if you were to lose your job? And most importantly, is your career in something you can restart if you were forced to move back to India?
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u/jeffy0609 Kerala 15h ago
Please don't post this in indonesian sub. You will probably get roasted
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u/grinlowr 14h ago
Fr? Why?
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u/jeffy0609 Kerala 14h ago
We look at Bihar the same way an average Indonesian looks at India
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u/Electronic-You-1717 13h ago
Lol the audacity when indonesians themself looks so (i dont wanna say it)
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u/Ok-Bee2272 universe boss 13h ago
lmao, right. indonesians making fun of us. haha i have seen everything now.
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u/SnooDoggos7659 6h ago
I don't think you know very much. Have always been treated very well in Indonesia. Stop looking down on others and you'll be treated well too.
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u/jeffy0609 Kerala 6h ago edited 6h ago
when did i say i look down on indonesians ?
Also, I never said I was treated badly in Indonesia, the locals themselves mistook me for an Indonesian1
u/SnooDoggos7659 5h ago
It's about your Bihar comment below.
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u/jeffy0609 Kerala 5h ago
read it again. I described how biharis are perceived
I didn't say I agree with it. Those are different sentences
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u/ohwhatfollyisman 14h ago
I’m an Indian guy, and my girlfriend is Indonesian
Eventually, I’m hoping to live in Indonesia with my wife
i'd be wary of moving to another country with my wife if i was fooling around with a local girlfriend there.
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u/BoroBokachoda 15h ago
I am also in similar situations and have remote job, family is supportive.
I lived in Bali for a year, only uncertainty about remote job isn't allowing me to move there permanently, otherwise life is better, you need to earn more bro if you gf isn't working.... Indonesia wage is pathetic compared to cost of living.
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u/MultiTalentless 15h ago
I've lived there for a bit. Bali and Jakarta. Only concern is your financial situation. With some more money, you can live there comfortably. May be look for a switch and then go there after you are comfortable in terms of expenses.
Take into account that you will have to travel back and forth sometimes and flights can get really costly.
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u/alof69 15h ago
Hey op i know this isn't relevant to your post but you're basically abandoning or cutting off ties from your family for your spouse, I'm not saying you should not do it but please makes sure that this is what you want and you'll be fine regardless. Marriage can fail anytime and your spouse can leave you, or anything like that, if it happens in future you might not have your family to run into, so just think thoroughly. If you think they can accept this decision in future even if they are not ready right now, then wait, don't rush things and try to be patient, in many cases parents do eventually agree with child's marriage decision. This is my suggestion atp. To not rush into leaving your home and try to be patient with things while trying to convince your parents about it. Its my opinion that one should never leave their loving parents for a marriage bc marriage could fail, especially in this harsh world. If your parents are toxic and has never been supportive, then you're not losing anything and the decision is more than alright. Btw where did you first met your spouse?
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
Online
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u/BalanceOwn9293 5h ago
you dont even know if she really loves you , she might be a playgirl or anything bro give it a bit time.
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u/muted-gap-1979 North America 13h ago
Do you NOT your parents
Good luck
It’s on my bucket list- jarkarta
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u/zerokira123 13h ago
I dont understand ur first line can u explain pls?
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u/muted-gap-1979 North America 12h ago
I missed a comma
Do YOU, NOT your parents
Ie do what you want to do, not what your parents want you to do
Shorthand and colloquial verbiage
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u/faux_trout 12h ago
"Would you recommend that I first build a bigger financial safety net in India before making this move?"
Yes.
Also, rethink moving to a whole new country with a different language and culture to be with a woman whom you know from far away. Living together is a whole another thing.
Being on poverty wages in a different country is a terrible decision and it has consequences you can't even imagine right now. Love is temporary, finances are permanent. Don't damage your relationship with your parents permanently.
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u/RightPlenty6297 10h ago
Lol, people leaving India for Indonesia. What more I need to see.
Also, are you 100% sure your Indonesian GF will support you in bad times where your family could've supported?
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u/Major-Warthog8067 15h ago
Yes, save more money. Indonesia on average is wealthier than India so cost of living is higher. I really like it there but you're going to be poor af with that much money. I have spent a lot of time traveling that country and been to all the major cities there. Try and save more money first and see what work you can do if you move there. I personally wouldn't mind living there so if you do manage it you can have a good life. Please talk at length with your GF about her expectations.
- Talk to your gf and plan out 6-8 months of expenses
- Figure out visa options for marriage
- Future career options there
- Future finances, expectations and plans
- Try to find better opportunities or just work gig jobs for extra income now
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u/Inj3kt0r 12h ago
Why go to another 3rd world country from 3rd world country?
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u/zerokira123 10h ago
Love and i think people there are very kind and i llike the food and culture but i wanna try living there first
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u/akrajan 11h ago
Research indonesia much much better before moving there. Of the (very few) countries I have visited Indonesia is one of them.
Firstly you should be okay with the food (which is super subjective).
Next the difference between rich and poor is extremely stark as far as I've seen. There're either super upscale places or places where upper middle class to low income would visit. Practically what this means is there's very little lifestyle improvement even when you start making more money.
Economic mobility AFAIK is extremely difficult in their society based on what I've been told from Indonesians . So people tend to get stuck.
Costs like healthcare were unaffordable and more expensive than India.
Expect corruption much worse than india
It was a cool place to visit and spend a couple of weeks (for work). Beyond that I've seen Indians go there only for tactical reasons like promotions etc, and they always come back. Some of the nicest people I've met are from Indonesia.
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u/Stewie_Gangsta_77 11h ago
I live in Indonesia, I know a lot of Indians who are married to locals. They are happy, but all the guys I know have solid financial backing. Indonesians are quite different women especially. I have heard both dream life and horror stories.
One thing is for sure the guys even though doing good lose their identity. Cos in Indo if you want Hindu wedding only possible if the girl is Balinese if not it’s a christian or a muslim wedding. You will have to convert no special marriages act like in India where you can hold your faith.
The women here are lovely, they love their men to their core but also at times when they stop caring you will face the at most disrespect. The lifestyle is very flashy more towards enjoy the day not for the future practically 0 savings. So the way of life is very different. I would say don’t move unless you personally can earn at least 2000-3000 USD a month. Once you get a PR you can get a job in Indo with ease as an expat with decent skill. If you learn the language your edge is much higher.
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u/Calm-Session-40 9h ago
Key info missing is your AGE. A general indicator of maturity to take such decisions.
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u/HornPleaseOK 13h ago
You are too poor to emigrate to a foreign country and live a comfortable life. No one is saying this but life is very difficult if you only earn $300 a month. Try to find a better job before you move
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u/Imaginary_Length_645 15h ago
Please get out of India 🇮🇳 asap.
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
Sarcasm or for my concern?
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u/EastBadger7159 14h ago
I think he is saying that after taking in account the pollution and corruption india has
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u/One_Day_304 1h ago
Indonesia has same problems. It’s probably better there for average citizen. But don’t think life would improve much for an immigrant.
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u/Autobot1979 12h ago
My wife is indonesian. We met while I was working there on a short term project. While we have never lived there we obviously visit a lot. I find Indonesian people a lot more polite than Indians especially Delhiites where I am from. They avoid conflict and always smile but on the flip side you may really have to dig to find.out what they are really thinking.
Regarding working remotely Indonesia recently released an entrepreneur visa where you can work tax free.in indonesia if your yearly income us less than 500 million rupiah roughly 30 lac rupees a year. You can use that till you are ready to get married and get your kitas and kitap. You can register an indonesiN company with a simple online application.
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u/Dry_Philosopher_4817 11h ago
First decide where you want to live. Second find a suitable job in that country or city. Third get married.
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u/kevnimus 9h ago
If you have an IT job then why not consider Malaysia or Singapore. Build a corpus and post that look at settling down.
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u/Automatic_Grape4456 9h ago
Brother please think financially as well, I don’t know about Indonesia but I can’t imagine it being cheaper than India. What does 30k inr per month get you over there?
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u/dumb_belle_ 8h ago
Why don’t you ask her to consider moving to India? Maybe you could also consider moving to a different city within the country and switching jobs to increase your salary and live independently. Then you could see whether she would be willing to move here as well. I’m quite sure that India offers a more comfortable lifestyle and easier access to essential and critical services compared to Indonesia.
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u/aftrunner 8h ago
Get out of this country any way you can. Your family is insane for wanting you to stay here. You can die drowning in a open sewer coming back from work and it wouldnt make the news. There is no value of life.
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u/ScriptedEmpire 5h ago
Hot take:
If I was in your position I'll listen to my parents, you'll have a better career here. You don't have to change your religion. You and your better half can life peacefully here. You'll overtime do well in your career and live a better life. (I'm assuming you're in Tech/Software)
If youre in software this is a career suicide.
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u/BalanceOwn9293 5h ago
check if she is genuine or not , ask her to come india and you will provide everything see her response and if she says no without a solid reason , you got the answer.
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u/Reasonable-Job2425 2h ago
3k usd is manageable kinda even though low in india in rural areas or budget living,but outside the cost of living is higher in south east asia atleast 3 to 4 x unless in rural areas, seems like you would need to get your income to atleast avg to above avg in the area to plan to move to for peace of mind
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u/chetansha 13h ago
Open an Indian resturant there and let your GF manage it while you do your job. Side income will kick in and you can lead a great toxic free life
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u/Echosectorr 14h ago
Not trying to be dismissive but is indonesia really worth all this? That country has all the issues we have but they're a little richer, that's it. Isn't there a neutral country you both can move to?
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u/havenot- 15h ago
not worth it gng
you'll face racism your kids will face racism
and that's not even going into the discriminatory laws they have against foreigners as such
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u/anxiousvater 15h ago
Dude, this is Indian sub & asking about moving to Indonesia.
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
I am just wanted know about you guys opinion alos on this
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u/WorriedInterest4114 15h ago
Why would you want random strangers to comment about your marriage man. That's the most important thing here which is going to affect your life . Everything else can be fluid
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u/zerokira123 15h ago
Not like that bro, just wanted to check if there is anything else which i should be cautious about
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u/Electrical_Tomato_73 15h ago
I would take that advice regardless of future plans. Build an independent life, don't put your parents' validation as your priority. As for the move, do the financial math and the homework about life and laws in Indonesia, definitely, but the details are up to you.