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Immigrating to Bali (Indonesia)? Here’s what you need to know:
🇮🇩 Bali at a Glance
- Population: Around 4.4 million (Bali province).
- Geography: Volcanic island, 5,780 km², part of Indonesia’s 17,000+ islands. Expect mountainous interiors (Mount Agung!) and breezy coastal plains.
- Climate: Tropical, with two seasons—dry (May–October, avg. 27°C) and wet (November–April, avg. 31°C).
- Culture: Bali is Indonesia’s only Hindu-majority province (87%)—traditions survived Dutch rule (1906–1949) and Islamic expansion.
🏠 Living Essentials
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)—bring your zeros!
- Languages: Indonesian (95%+), Balinese (daily life and ceremonies), and basic English in tourist hotspots like Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak.
- Religions: Hindu (87%, Bali style), Islam (10%, mainly Javanese migrants), Christianity & Buddhism (3%).
- Ethnicities: Balinese (90%), Javanese (7%), others (3%—Chinese, Madurese, expats).
- Largest City: Denpasar, the capital—population about 725,000.
🤔 Why Choose Bali
- Digital Nomad-Friendly: E33G Remote Worker Visa (since late 2022, upgraded in 2025)—live up to 180 days/year for five years, renewable. All you need: $2,000/month ($24,000/year). Tax-free foreign income!
- Remote Work Hotspots: 30,000+ digital nomads; coworking spaces like Dojo Bali (Canggu) and Hubud (Ubud) offer 50–100 Mbps internet and regular networking events.
- Affordable Living: Singles live well at $1,500–$2,500/month; families, $3,000–$5,000.
- Budget digs: Shared rooftops or studios in Pererenan/East Canggu ($200–$400/month).
- Mid-range: 1-bed apartments with pools in Seminyak/Ubud ($600–$1,000/month).
- Luxury villa life: Canggu/Uluwatu, three bedrooms from $1,500–$3,000 (utilities included).
- Groceries: $100–$200/month. Local meals: $2–$5/plate.
- Fascinating Culture: Named TripAdvisor’s Best Cultural Destination (2025). 87% Hindu—witness daily offerings, temple ceremonies, and festivals like Nyepi (Day of Silence).
- Expat Support: 50,000+ expats live in Canggu (15,000+), Ubud (8,000+), Sanur (5,000+).
- International Schools: Green School Bali ($15,000–$25,000/year), Dyatmika School.
- Healthcare: International-standard clinics like BIMC (Denpasar) and Ubud Prima Medika ($30–$60/consult).
- Networking: Weekly expat meetups, breakfasts, and socials across the island.
- Epic Nature and Activities: Beaches—50+ surf breaks (Uluwatu for pros, Batu Bolong for beginners, rentals ~$5/day). Volcano hikes: Mount Batur or Mount Agung (guided $30–$50). Snorkel with manta rays at Nusa Penida ($40–$80, best April–October).
- Long-Term Visa Paths: Besides the digital nomad visa:
- Retirement Visa: 65+ with $1,500/month pension, valid five years.
- Social-Cultural Visa: Stay up to six months, renewable with local sponsorship.
- Second Home Visa: 10 years for those stashing $130,000 in an Indonesian bank.
- Lifestyle Perks: Dreamy dry season (May–October, 27°C), low crime, and a welcoming vibe for digital nomads, retirees, and families.
⚠️ Bali Challenges
Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.
- Traffic Woes: Roads built for scooters now handle 2.5 million vehicles—urban commutes (Canggu, Seminyak) average 10–15 km/h. Even short trips can take an hour. Intercity journeys (Denpasar–Ubud): 2+ hours. Forget public transport—only 3% use the rare ride-hailing services.
- Power/Internet Issues: Rural outages weekly; internet outside hubs is slow (15–25 Mbps, way below global standards).
- Environmental Strain: Tourism creates 1.6 million tons of waste/year, 60% mismanaged. Iconic beaches (Kuta, Seminyak) get 20–30 tons of plastic daily during monsoon. Illegal villas have wiped out 12% of rice terraces since 2020. Groundwater issues and rising sea levels (up 25 cm by 2050) threaten $1.2B in infrastructure.
- Visa & Property Headaches: Processing takes 4–6 weeks, with a 30% rejection rate (docs must be perfect). Foreigners can’t own land outright—leaseholds can vanish if a local partner defaults. Over 150 expats lost $15M in property in 2024 alone.
- Healthcare Gaps: Outside Denpasar, only 15% of clinics meet WHO hygiene standards. Medical emergencies often require $25,000–$40,000 airlifts to Singapore/Australia. 40% of expats risk it with no insurance. Fake meds pop up in local pharmacies.
- Crowded Market: Ubud & Seminyak see 90% hotel occupancy all year, pushing prices up—café meals now $12–$18. Real estate faces oversupply—12,000+ illegal villas and rental yields dropping to 4–6%. Leasehold prices in Canggu up 18%/year, squeezing out mid-earners.
- Cultural Tensions: Over half the hospitality workers make under $280/month—resentment grows. Festivals like Nyepi are disrupted (120+ noise complaints in 2024). Language barriers linger—only 35% outside Denpasar speak conversational English.
🛂 Bali Visa Guide
A variety of visas are available that will allow you to stay on Bali:
Tourist e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA)
- Tourism Only: For tourists; passport must have 6+ months validity and at least 1 blank page
- Stay Duration: 30 days, extendable once (total 60 days)
- Fee: IDR 1,000,000 (about $65 USD)
- Extension: Renew at local immigration offices or with help from visa agents before expiry
Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS)
- Variety: Options for work, spouse, investor, retirement, student, or remote worker
- Sponsorship: Needs an employer, spouse, or Indonesian entity as sponsor
- Length: Valid for 6 months–2 years, renewable
- Work Visa:
- Salary: Minimum of $2,000/month; employers prove no local can fill the job
- Documents: Employer must provide IMTA (work permit), tax, and Social Security payments
- Remote Worker:
- Duration: Valid for 5 years
- Proof: Must show you’re employed by a foreign company
Second Home Visa
- Eligibility: Deposit $130,000+ in an Indonesian bank or buy property valued at $1M+
- Duration: 5–10 years, and renewable
- Perks: Can’t work, but enjoy long-term residence; family members eligible
Golden Visa
- Investors: Put $2.5M–$5M in an Indonesian company
- Securities: Hold $350K–$700K in local stocks/bonds
- Duration: 5–10 years, pathway to permanent residency (KITAP) after 3 years
Retirement Visa
- Age: Must be 55+
- Proof: Pension of ~$1,500/month and a local lease agreement
- Renewal: 1 year at a time, renewable
Visa Quotas
- No formal quotas, but work visas need labor market checks (prove no local can do the job)
🛬 Residency & Citizenship
Permanent Residency (KITAP)
- Get KITAS First: Hold a KITAS for 3–5 years (depends on visa type)
- Requirements: Clean criminal record, $1,500/month income, up-to-date taxes (NPWP tax number)
- Validity: Indefinite, but renew every 5–10 years
Citizenship
- Stay Requirement: 5+ years continuous (or 10+ years with breaks)
- Must: Speak Indonesian, know Pancasila (national philosophy)
- Requirements: Give up previous citizenship (no dual citizenship), show employment, investment, or marriage to Indonesian
- Application: Submit to Ministry of Law and Human Rights; takes 12–24 months
- No Citizenship Quotas: But language/history exams eliminate about 60% of applicants
💼 Business in Bali
Pros
- Tourism & digital nomad industries booming
- 100% foreign ownership allowed with a PT PMA
- Low corporate tax: 22% for firms earning under IDR 50B (~$3.2M USD)/year
Cons
- Big upfront investment: Minimum IDR 10B (~$630K USD) to start a PT PMA
- Bureaucracy: Licensing can be complex (BKPM approval required for foreign businesses)
- Sector Restrictions: No-go for small retail, farming, or mining
How to Start Your Business
- Pick a sector: Check BKPM’s Negative Investment List for eligibility
- Set up PT PMA: Draft statutes, pick local directors, deposit min. capital
- License: Get NIB (business ID), environmental approvals, and sector permits (e.g., for tourism)
- Tax: Register for NPWP (tax number) & get VAT certificate
📚 Helpful Resources
- Indonesian Immigration Directorate: All visa, extension, KITAS/KITAP info and applications
- BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board): Guidance on foreign-owned company rules and PT PMA registration
- JobStreet Indonesia – Indonesia’s top portal with extensive listings for Bali hospitality and tourism roles.