people from all over the world come to Indonesia for a variety of reasons. Some manage to exploration purposes, others for the job, and often in order to accompany his partner who must move in the country.
Whatever the reason for the prolonged stay in Indonesia, some expatriates can find that there comes a time when they start to feel comfortable and even at home in this complex and diverse society. This can become the driving force in search of a way to spend his free time in a way that promotes social welfare and the welfare of those who are facing difficulties.
Of course, it is clear that volunteering in Indonesia is also an end in itself and that many people are looking to offer their skills and knowledge by moving to this country as volunteers. The purpose of this article is to provide information on legal considerations for those who intend to move to Indonesia as a volunteer and also for those who wish to complete their experience by volunteering.
As with any post held by a stranger, anyone who wishes to volunteer in Indonesia needs to be aware of legal, especially visa, concerns.
First, it should be noted that, as mentioned in a previous article on the employment of foreigners, the Indonesian Government has a policy that encourages local hiring of foreigners to reduce problems unemployment. This applies to volunteers as well.
What does it mean that you will not be able to arrive in Indonesia on a tourist visa and legally commit your time to everything that is related to work, even if it is a unpaid work. In fact, as a foreigner, you are not allowed to volunteer if you do not have an appropriate work visa. This is a very important issue of immigration to consider when considering relocation.
To volunteer, you will need a KITAS. Note that employers must pay tax to the local Department of Labour for the employment of foreigners. Therefore, you must make sure that the organization you would like to volunteer to pay that tax because if not, then you will be volunteering illegally.
If you choose to volunteer illegally, note that you can face deportation and fines. The Indonesian Government is strict on the application of these rules.
It is sometimes suggested that you get a visa Kunjungan Sosial Budaya (SosBud) because it allows for an extended stay. We understand why it is considered an option, as with visa on arrival, any kind of work is allowed during your stay. In terms of social / cultural visa, it is important that you communicate openly with the organization suggesting that you apply for it in order to volunteer. For example, Project on Poverty of Bali can sponsor a visa social / cultural purposes to volunteer (http://eastbalipovertyproject.org/how-can-i-help/volunteer/).
You must obtain the appropriate visa before entering Indonesia.
If you are residing in Indonesia and want to engage in volunteer work, you must seek information from the Indonesian authorities regarding your own status Visa (not your spouse, if that is your case ). You need to ask if your Visa status allows you to undertake unpaid work in Indonesia.
Overall, it is very important that you do not place the volunteer in another job category. There is work, but is unpaid.
Obviously, there are obstacles to overcome in order to volunteer in Indonesia. However, it is certainly an effort that is the time of the punishment of. If you are able to get a volunteer position in this country, you can enjoy a cultural experience of a lifetime. Similarly, if you are already living here and decide to volunteer, you will be exposed to a side of Indonesia you can never see otherwise.
You can see the following link for a list of projects related to the Indonesian social protection: http://www.expat.or.id/info/givingback.html
(All written in this article is intended to provide information only and is not intended for legal advice).