In Reply to: Open a bank account posted by Mullansson on Sunday, 30. April 2006 at 15:09 Bali Time:
There has always been a lot of discussion about that question here. Everyone has an opinion and either knows a friend who has done it or who was refused one.
I tried in March 2005 and was told by a bank that I couldn't because I needed a KITAS. Tried again in August 2005 and was told the same thing.
However, while there in August, there was a stall at Discovery Mall run by the Permata Bank and I asked them as well as I was passing. They were quite happy to sign me up and gave me a free teddy bear and umbrella as well.
All I had to provide was a photocopy of my passport and visa (and an initial Rp 500 000 deposit).
Their web banking is in English. I don't think I've been charged much for the account.
A bit more reaseach would seem to indicate that private banks (such as Permata) are quite happy to give you an account. It seems that the Govermnent banks (BII, BNI??) are the ones insisting on a KITAS.
That was the status in August 2005. Rules may have changed since then.