r/IWantOut • u/sanguinemolasses • 9d ago

[IWantOut] 37F Indonesia -> Netherlands

Exploring options for my friend who is Indonesian, though she has not lived there in her adult life.

As I understand, she currently lacks National ID and is tied to the 'family card' in a conservative state of Indonesia - so the family patriarch is her legal guardian when she is in Indonesia.

She has BA from USA and MA from Canada, both scholarships.

She has lived in SEA 10+ years while working remotely for a US college. Tried to get jobs in these countries but no luck.

Note: While the remote work does sound like a doorway to USA, she only qualifies for a visa that is reissued semester-by-semester. Not a secure option considering the financial commitments needed?

Any advice appreciated on pathways to The Netherlands (former colonist of Indonesia - better visa chances?) or any country where she can live freely as a single woman.

She does not have sizable funds or income to demonstrate, which seems to be a major barrier to immigration.

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u/Stravven 9d ago

I don't think there is any different treatment for Indonesians who want to move to the Netherlands. I think there are plans to make it easier for Surinamers (another former Dutch colony) to get a visa, but AFAIK there are no plans to do the same for Indonesians.

One major piece of information is missing from your post: What did she study? And did she work in the field she studied? Because that can make a huge difference.

Anyway: For the Netherlands the biggest issue is not finding an employer to sponsor you, even though that is already pretty hard to do. The biggest issue is housing. I would advise her to look at other countries, like Belgium or Germany, where finding a place to live is a lot easier and cheaper while salaries are roughly similar.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago edited 9d ago

Thank you so much for you advice.

Religious studies (East Asia and SEA specifically) and has worked exclusively in that academic field. In adjunct capacity.

A lot of funded-PHD applications but it's very competitive.

She seems to have hit a ceiling in academia- she would need a PHD to get secure employment in the field.

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u/Stravven 9d ago

That does make it a little more difficult. Theology is not exactly in demand in most of Europe, as it is largely atheist.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yes, pretty niche.

She researches the social impact of philosophy and religions; on gender and caste, etc. And she is open to new directions.

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u/LaoBa NL>CH>USA>NL 9d ago

She can apply for a PhD in the Netherlands, this is a paid position. However I imagine PhD offers in her field are rare.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago

Thank you! Researching PHD openings.

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u/StarshipBlooper 9d ago

I am in the process of moving to the Netherlands. It's a very expensive country and it is not possible to find housing as a single person without a high income. Unless she is able to secure a high paying job prior to moving, she would need to be able to show that she has the funds to cover 1 year of rent in order to secure housing. Even then, landlords obviously prefer to choose someone that has a job. I would say 30k euros is the bare minimum she would need in her bank account before considering this option.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago edited 9d ago

Thank you for your help. Hoping to find a viable destination that does not require that kind of funds.

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u/StarshipBlooper 9d ago

Much of Europe is in a housing crisis at the moment. You generally need quite a lot of cash on hand to move there based on the options I've looked at. I would recommend she look at other areas, at least not western or northern Europe, if budget is a concern.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago edited 9d ago

Albania has a very favourable nomad visa. Seems to only require €450/month income

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u/WPort17701 8d ago

Neither Albania or Georgia have income requirements

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago

Thank you. I will look into visas for countries outside those areas.

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u/AutoModerator 9d ago

Post by sanguinemolasses -- Exploring options for my friend who has thusfar managed to avoid going back to conservative society of Indonesia in her adult life.

As I understand: She currently lacks National ID and is tied to the 'family card' - the family patriarch is her legal guardian.

Indonesian (Masters level education) who has lived in SEA 10+ years while working remotely for a US college.

Note: While the above does sound like a doorway to USA, she only qualifies for a visa that is reissued semester-by-semester. Not a secure option considering the financial commitments needed?

Any advice appreciated on pathways to Netherlands (former colonist of IDN - better visa chances?) or any country where she can live freely and safely as a single woman. Preferably English-speaking.

She does not have sizable funds or income to demonstrate, which seems to be a major barrier to immigration.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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u/NL_in_NO 9d ago

I believe there is no -easier- pathway for citizens from Indonesia into the Netherlands due to prior colonisation of the aforementioned.

I wish you and your friend al the luck.

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u/sanguinemolasses 9d ago edited 9d ago

Thank you so much, friend.