2025 Bali Immigration Guide

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Immigrating to Bali (Indonesia)? Here’s what you need to know:

Bali at a Glance

Population: ~4.4 million (Bali province).
Geography: a volcanic island spanning 5,780 km², part of Indonesia’s 17,000-island archipelago. Mountainous interiors (e.g., Mount Agung) and coastal plains dominate.
Climate: Tropical with two seasons: dry (May–October, avg. 27°C) and wet (November–April, avg. 31°C).
Bali’s Hindu culture survived Dutch colonization (1906–1949) and Islamic expansion in Indonesia, making it the only Hindu-majority province (87%) in the country.

Living Essentials

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Languages: Indonesian (official, spoken by 95%). Balinese (indigenous, used in daily life and rituals). Basic English is spoken in touristed areas (e.g. Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak).
Religions: Hinduism: 87% (Balinese Hinduism, distinct from Indian Hinduism). Islam: 10% (primarily Javanese migrants). Christianity/Buddhism: 3%.
Ethnicities: Balinese: 90%, Javanese: 7% (migrants from Java), Others: 3% (Chinese, Madurese, expats).
Largest city: Denpasar: Capital city (~725,000 residents)

Why Choose Bali

Digital Nomad Infrastructure: Bali’s E33G Remote Worker Visa, launched in late 2022 and refined in 2025, allows remote professionals to reside on the island for up to 180 days annually over a five-year period, with renewable options.
– Applicants need only prove a $2,000 monthly income (or $24,000 annually), making it accessible compared to stricter European counterparts.
– The visa also grants tax-free status for foreign-earned income, a significant financial incentive.
– Over 30,000 digital nomads now operate from coworking hubs like Dojo Bali (Canggu) and Hubud (Ubud), which offer high-speed internet (50–100 Mbps) and networking events.
Affordable Cost of Living: Bali remains a budget-friendly destination. A single expat can live comfortably on $1,500–$2,500 monthly, while families typically spend $3,000–$5,000.
Housing options vary widely:
– Budget: Shared villas or studios in areas like Pererenan or East Canggu cost $200–$400/month.
– Mid-Range: Modern one-bedroom apartments with pools in Seminyak or Ubud average $600–$1,000/month.
– Luxury: Private three-bedroom villas in Canggu or Uluwatu range from $1,500–$3,000/month, including utilities.
Groceries for one person cost $100–$200/month, while meals at local warungs (eateries) average $2–5 per dish.
Cultural Heritage: In 2025, Bali was named TripAdvisor’s Best Cultural Destination for its preservation of Hindu traditions amidst Indonesia’s Muslim majority.
– Over 87% of Balinese practice Hinduism, visible in daily offerings (canang sari), temple ceremonies (odalan), and island-wide festivals like Nyepi (Day of Silence).
Expat Communities and Services: over 50,000 expats reside in Bali, concentrated in Canggu (15,000+), Ubud (8,000+), and Sanur (5,000+) These communities offer:
– International Schools: Green School Bali (annual tuition: $15,000–$25,000) and Dyatmika School (K–12 curriculum).
– Healthcare: BIMC Hospital (Denpasar) and Ubud Prima Medika provide international-standard care, with consultations costing $30–$60.
– Networking: Weekly events like Bali Expat Meetups (Canggu) and Digital Nomad Breakfasts (Ubud) foster professional connections.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities: Bali’s diverse geography supports year-round recreation:
– Beaches: Over 50 surf breaks, including Uluwatu (advanced) and Batu Bolong (beginner), with board rentals from $5/day.
– Volcanoes: Sunrise hikes on Mount Batur (1,717m) or Mount Agung (3,031m) cost $30–$50 with guided tours.
– Marine Life: Snorkeling trips to Nusa Penida’s Manta Point average $40–$80, with guaranteed manta ray sightings April–October.
Simplified Long-Term Visa Pathways: Beyond the digital nomad visa, Bali offers:
– Retirement Visa: For those aged 65+ with $1,500/month pension, valid for five years.
– Social-Cultural Visa: Renewable six-month stay requiring sponsorship by an Indonesian citizen or business.
– Second Home Visa: A 10-year option for investors depositing $130,000 in Indonesian banks.

These factors, combined with Bali’s dry-season climate (May–October, 27°C average) and low crime rates, make it a pragmatic choice for remote workers, retirees, and families.

Bali Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

Traffic Gridlock and Inadequate Infrastructure: Bali’s road infrastructure struggles to support its growing population and tourism influx.
– Narrow roads designed for scooters now accommodate 2.5 million registered vehicles, leading to average speeds of 10–15 km/h in urban areas like Canggu and Seminyak.
– A 5 km commute can take over an hour during peak times, while intercity travel between Denpasar and Ubud often exceeds 2 hours.
– Public transport is virtually nonexistent, with only 3% of residents relying on sporadic ride-hailing services.
Power outages occur weekly in rural areas, and internet speeds outside tourist hubs average 15–25 Mbps, far below the global standard.
Environmental Degradation from Tourism: the island generates 1.6 million tons of waste annually, with 60% mismanaged.
– Iconic beaches like Kuta and Seminyak face a “plastic apocalypse,” where tides deposit 20–30 tons of debris daily during monsoon season.
– Illegal villa construction in protected green zones has destroyed 12% of Bali’s rice terraces since 2020, while unregulated groundwater extraction has caused seawater intrusion in 40% of coastal aquifers.
– Climate change further threatens the island, with sea levels projected to rise 25 cm by 2050, risking $1.2 billion in coastal infrastructure.
Complex Visa Regulations: Processing delays average 4–6 weeks, and 30% of applicants face rejections due to documentation errors.
– Long-term residents must navigate opaque property laws: foreigners cannot own land outright and rely on leasehold agreements, which are void if local partners default.
– In 2024, 150+ expats lost properties worth $15 million due to legal disputes.
Healthcare: Bali’s healthcare system lags behind international standards. Only 15% of clinics outside Denpasar meet WHO hygiene standards, and air ambulance transfers to Singapore or Australia cost $25,000–40,000.
– Chronic underinsurance is rampant: 40% of expats lack coverage, risking financial ruin from medical emergencies.
– Pharmacies frequently stock counterfeit medications.
Property Market Saturation: Hotspots like Ubud and Seminyak experience 90% hotel occupancy year-round, driving up living costs: a café meal now averages $12–18.
– The property market faces oversupply, with 12,000+ illegal villas operating without permits.
– Legitimate rental yields have plummeted to 4–6% in 2025 due to competition, while leasehold prices in Canggu surged 18% annually, pricing out middle-income expats.
Cultural Erosion: Over 50% of workers in hospitality earn below the $280/month minimum wage, fueling resentment toward affluent expats.
– Traditional ceremonies like Nyepi (Day of Silence) are increasingly disrupted by tourists, with 120+ noise complaints filed during the 2024 observance.
– Language barriers persist: only 35% of Balinese outside Denpasar speak conversational English, complicating daily interactions.

Bali Visa Guide

A variety of visas are available that will allow you to stay on Bali:

Tourist e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA)

Eligibility: Valid for tourism purposes only; passport must have 6+ months validity and 1 blank page.
Duration: 30 days, extendable once (total 60 days).
Cost: IDR 1,000,000 (~$65 USD).
Renewal: Apply at local immigration offices or via agents before expiration.

Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS)

Different Types: Work (see requirements below), spouse, investor, retirement, student, or remote worker visas.
Eligibility: Requires sponsorship (employer, spouse, or Indonesian entity).
Duration: 6 months to 2 years, renewable.
Work Visa Requirements:
– Minimum salary of $2,000/month (employers must prove no local candidate can fill the role).
– Employer-sponsored IMTA (work permit) and proof of tax/Social Security payments.
– Remote Worker Visa: Valid for 5 years; requires proof of employment with a foreign company.

Second Home Visa:

Eligibility: Deposit $130,000+ in an Indonesian bank or purchase property worth $1M+.
Duration: 5–10 years, renewable.
Benefits: No work rights but allows long-term residency; family members eligible.

Golden Visa:

Eligibility:
– Investors: $2.5M–$5M in an Indonesian company.
– Stock/Bondholders: $350K–$700K in Indonesian securities.
Duration: 5–10 years, with a path to permanent residency after 3 years.

Retirement Visa:

Eligibility: Age 55+, proof of pension (~$1,500/month), and local lease agreement.
Duration: 1 year, renewable.

Visa Quotas: No formal quotas, but work visas require labor market testing (proving no local hire available).

Residency & Citizenship

Permanent Residency (KITAP)

Prerequisites: Hold a KITAS for 3–5 consecutive years (varies by visa type).

Requirements:

Clean criminal record.
Proof of financial stability (e.g., $1,500/month income).
Tax compliance (NPWP tax number required).

Validity: Indefinite, but must renew every 5–10 years.

Citizenship

Prerequisites:

5+ years of continuous residency or 10+ years with interruptions.
Proficient in Indonesian language and knowledge of Pancasila (national philosophy).

Requirements:

Renounce previous citizenship (dual citizenship not permitted).
Proof of employment, investment, or marriage to an Indonesian citizen.
Process: Submit application to Ministry of Law and Human Rights; 12–24 months processing.

Citizenship quotas: none, but strict language/history exams filter out ~60% of applicants.

Business in Bali

Pros:

Booming tourism, digital nomad, and wellness sectors.
100% foreign ownership allowed in most sectors via PT PMA (foreign-owned LLC).
Low corporate tax (22%) for companies earning < IDR 50B (~$3.2M USD) annually.

Cons:

Minimum investment of IDR 10B (~$630K USD) for PT PMA.
Complex licensing (requires BKPM approval for foreign entities).
Restrictions on small retail, agriculture, and mining sectors.

Steps to Start a Business:

Choose a Sector: Verify eligibility via BKPM’s Negative Investment List.
Establish PT PMA: Draft articles of association, appoint local directors, and deposit minimum capital.
Licensing: Obtain NIB (business ID), environmental permits, and sector-specific approvals (e.g., tourism).
Tax Registration: Acquire NPWP (tax number) and VAT certificate.

Helpful Resources

Indonesian Immigration Directorate: Official portal for visa applications, extensions, and KITAS/KITAP processes.
BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board): Guides on foreign investment rules and PT PMA registration.

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