Most first-hand reports shared here ended in success.
Based on 13 first-hand reports shared by the community, 10 reported success and 0 were declined for banking in Indonesia. Reviewed for 2026.
Indonesia: banking for non-residents and digital nomads. Indonesia is outside the EU where, for a foreigner, accounts open only with difficulty. Most banks work mainly with local and regional clients, so it pays to come prepared with proof of address, source-of-funds evidence and a clear account purpose.
Opening an account and going remote. Whether you can open remotely varies bank by bank; some applicants confirm opening remotely or online; others note an in-person branch visit was still required.
Reporting, AML and stability. Indonesia takes part in CRS automatic exchange, so an account here is reported to your tax-residence country each year; it is not on the FATF/EU AML high-risk lists, so onboarding follows standard due-diligence rather than enhanced scrutiny; political and economic stability is rated medium (World Bank governance indicators), which shapes the risk of capital controls, abrupt banking-rule changes or currency turmoil affecting your account.
What applicants report. What people brought: Indonesian KTP (lifetime), Indonesian SIM card, KITAS, fingerprints, family income letters, Eventually opened an Indonesian account, US Citibank account, Indonesian family member with Indonesian Citibank account. practical tips from the community: Get a post-paid Indonesian SIM card first, it can be sent overseas; Keep Indonesian SIM for 3DSecure verification on debit transactions; BCA credit card application is fully online for KITAS holders; Consider Mandiri or digital alternatives like Jenius instead of BCA; Get a bank account with no ATM fees and no currency conversion fees (recommends Capital One or Schwab for Americans); Use credit card with no currency conversion fees. Treat this as community orientation, not a guarantee.
Bottom line. Indonesia is a hard place to bank as a non-resident — line up a local tie or a fintech fallback before you rely on it.
Grouped by bank — each applicant type is a row. Colour shows the reported outcome.
new residentopens3 reports · moderate signal
An Indonesian diaspora living abroad opened a BCA account remotely using their Indonesian KTP (lifetime card) and Indonesian SIM card. The BCA app detected the Indo SIM and allowed video call with customer service. Once verified, the account was opened quickly.
Matches your experience?
Indonesian KTP (lifetime)Indonesian SIM cardKITASfingerprintsfamily income letters
Conditions: Must have an active Indonesian SIM card so the BCA app detects the phone is in Indonesia to proceed with video call verification
Watch out: Aggressive KYC/documentation requests
Tips: Get a post-paid Indonesian SIM card first, it can be sent overseas · Keep Indonesian SIM for 3DSecure verification on debit transactions · BCA credit card application is fully online for KITAS holders · Consider Mandiri or digital alternatives like Jenius instead of BCA
last seen 2025-01-30aged
otheropens1 report · early signal
A person opening an Indonesian account from overseas had their sibling create a post-paid Indonesian SIM card and mail it to them. They then installed the BCA app, applied online with standard documents, and completed a video call verification. The Indonesian SIM was essential to enable the video call feature in the app.
Matches your experience?
Indonesian SIM card (post-paid)passport/IDBCA mobile app
Conditions: Had sibling create a post-paid Indonesian SIM card, mailed via post. Installed BCA app, applied online, then did video call. Indonesian SIM is mandatory for video call function to work.
Watch out: Remote opening possible only with advance planning (getting Indo SIM)
Tips: Arrange for a post-paid Indonesian SIM card to be sent to you first · Indo SIM required for video call in BCA app
last seen 2021-01-17aged
new residentopens2 reports · moderate signal
A European expat setting up a PMA (foreign-owned company) and investor KITAS in Ubud, Bali was recommended Mandiri for personal banking. Another expat confirmed Mandiri was very easy to set up, had lots of physical branches, and the mobile app was better than comparable apps in Australia and New Zealand.
Matches your experience?
KTPKK (family card)in-person visitKITASpassport
Conditions: Returning European expat setting up PMA and investor KITAS. Mandiri recommended for personal banking.
Tips: Mandiri has excellent mobile app · Easy to set up, physical branches everywhere
last seen 2024-08-12aged
non resident foreigneropens1 report · early signal
A foreigner living in Indonesia for 3 years initially got by without an Indonesian bank account, using a US Schwab account with no ATM fees and no foreign exchange fees. Even after opening an Indonesian account, they still fund it primarily with cash withdrawn from ATMs because wire transfers cost around $100 ($25 from originating bank + $60+ lost from bad exchange rates).
Matches your experience?
Eventually opened an Indonesian account
Conditions: Used overseas ATM card (Capital One/Schwab with no ATM fees and no foreign exchange fees) for 3 years. Indonesian account funded mainly with cash from ATM.
Watch out: Wire transfers cost ~$100 total in fees and bad exchange rates
Tips: Get a bank account with no ATM fees and no currency conversion fees (recommends Capital One or Schwab for Americans) · Use credit card with no currency conversion fees
last seen 2018-03-02aged
otheropens1 report · early signal
A person currently abroad used Citibank's global transfer feature to send money to Indonesia. They opened a Citibank account in the US and had a family member open a Citibank account in Indonesia. Transfers between accounts are instant and free.
Matches your experience?
US Citibank accountIndonesian family member with Indonesian Citibank account
Conditions: Use Citi Global Transfer between personal accounts. Free and instant. Family member opens account in their name in Indonesia.
Watch out: Relies on family member acting as account holder
Tips: Citi Global Transfer is instant and free between personal accounts
last seen 2021-01-17aged
new residentopens1 report · early signal
A foreigner with KITAS who became an Indonesian tax resident reported having to visit the tax office to explain all transfers into their Indonesian bank account. Each transfer over USD 2,000 required explanation. They could prove they were living off savings from selling their house overseas. The process was thorough but legitimate funds could be explained.
Matches your experience?
KITASNPWP (tax ID)
Conditions: As an Indonesian tax resident (due to KITAS), had to go to tax office and explain every transfer coming into their Indonesian bank account. Could prove the funds were from selling house overseas and living off savings. Process was very thorough.
Watch out: Aggressive tax scrutiny on foreign deposits over $2,000 for KITAS holders
Tips: Keep documentation for all incoming transfers over $2,000 · Have proof of source of funds ready
last seen 2026-03-23
non resident foreignerconditional1 report · early signal
A foreigner wanting to open a bank account without KITAS found most banks require it. Another user pointed out OJK regulation allowing passport-only USD accounts with $2,000-$50,000 limits, but noted banks may still demand KITAS due to internal KYC. Suggests printing the regulation to show reluctant banks.
Matches your experience?
KITASpassport
Conditions: Without KITAS, some banks allow USD accounts only (OJK regulation) with $2,000 min to $50,000 max deposit per 2015 regulation
Watch out: Regulation exists but many banks still demand KITAS due to internal KYC policies
Tips: Print out OJK regulation paper and show it to the bank if they still ask for KITAS
last seen 2018-03-02aged
new residentopens1 report · early signal
An expat advised that foreign friends used OCBC and Mandiri as their local banks. They personally used Bank Jago, a digital bank that accepts KITAS as valid identification. Recommended BCA as popular, noting BCA & Mandiri are best opened by visiting a branch, while OCBC and Jago can be opened entirely from the mobile app.
Matches your experience?
KITASpassport
Conditions: Bank OCBC and Bank Mandiri seen used by expat friends. Bank Jago open to KITAS as valid ID. BCA most popular. For BCA & Mandiri, recommend going to branch. OCBC and Jago can be done from mobile app.
Tips: If you have KITAS, open a digital bank account - easy to open, no annual/admin fee · BCA & Mandiri best opened at branch · OCBC and Jago can be opened from app
last seen 2024-09-17aged
new residentopens1 report · early signal
A foreigner with KITAS was recommended Jenius (Bank BTPN) as a digital bank that supports account opening using KITAS instead of e-KTP. Both debit and credit cards are available through the app.
Matches your experience?
KITAS
Conditions: Jenius allows application using KITAS as ID. Both debit and credit cards available.
Tips: Jenius supports KITAS application and delivers cards
last seen 2025-01-30aged
otherconditional1 report · early signal
A person called BNI's New York branch about opening an Indonesian account from the US. The bank said they must physically visit the NY branch to open the account, after which they can send USD from the US and withdraw in Indonesia in USD or IDR.
Matches your experience?
passportin-person at BNI NY
Conditions: Account opened in New York in USD; funds can be withdrawn in Indonesia as USD or IDR
Tips: Call BNI NY branch if living in US
last seen 2021-01-17aged
non resident foreigneropens1 report · early signal
An Australian expat boss used DANA digital wallet registered with passport and tied to their international credit card. This allowed QRIS payments without opening a local bank account. However, the credit card payment option in DANA only works when the merchant's QRIS issuer is also DANA.
Matches your experience?
passport
Conditions: A foreign boss from Australia used DANA digital wallet tied to their credit card to use QRIS payments without opening a local bank account. The credit card option in DANA may not be available if the merchant's QRIS issuer is not DANA.
Watch out: Credit card option in DANA only available when DANA is also the QRIS issuer for the merchant
Tips: DANA can be registered with passport instead of KTP
last seen 2024-09-17aged
new residentconditional1 report · early signal
A foreign user described OCBC as 'the worst bank ever'. Their wife was forced by employer to use OCBC and experienced constant problems: payments not authorized, payments blocked, things not working, needing to contact customer service frequently or visit branches in person. Branches are scarce in Bali. Strongly advised against.
Matches your experience?
KITAS
Conditions: Account forced by employer; had numerous problems including blocked payments, unauthorized issues, need to contact CS frequently, few branches
Watch out: Frequent operational issues, unreliable service, few branches in Bali
Tips: Avoid OCBC - consider Mandiri, BNI, or BCA instead
last seen 2024-08-12aged
new residentopens1 report · early signal
A foreigner shared their experience with KITAS and work permits in Indonesia. They found KITAS itself affordable at about $100 for 2 years, while the IMTA work permit was expensive at ~$1,200 including agent fees. They noted the immigration office was clean, honest, and helpful compared to government agencies in other countries like the US. They warned agents often overcharge foreigners.
Matches your experience?
passportsponsorship
Conditions: Doing immigration paperwork personally is not hard. Immigration office is clean, careful about not accepting bribes, and quite helpful. People are helpful even if you don't speak Indonesian.
Watch out: Agents may charge huge surcharges assuming foreigner is 'rich enough'
Tips: Do KITAS paperwork yourself to avoid agent fees · Immigration office is helpful, don't be intimidated
last seen 2018-03-02aged
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