What Are The Common Visa Types For Expats In Bali?

January 20, 2022 | General Tips

Moving to Bali is a dream come true, wouldn’t you agree? A one or two-week stay has had many of us craving for unending days of basking in the Bali sun.

But how would one go about staying in Bali for longer? Before the pandemic, tourists who visit Bali on a Tourist Visa or a Visa On Arrival (VOA) would only have 30 days in the country before having to fly out again.

This was an actual option if you don’t mind flying in and out once every 30 days but now, with the Covid-19 pandemic, this option is no longer possible.

There are limited-stay visas available for foreigners who wish to stay longer in Bali. Let’s take a look at what common visa types are eligible for you:

Business Visa (B211)

There are two types of Business Visas – Single Entry and Multiple Entry. A Single Entry Business Visa is valid for 60 days and extendable for 4 times at 30 days each.

With a Multiple Entry Business Visa, you can stay up to 60 days without having to leave Indonesia. The visa is valid for 1 year, but you must leave the country once every 2 months before coming back in. This is a great option if you want to explore the rest of South-East Asia while taking a break.

A Business Visa is not a working visa and foreigners are strictly prohibited from working with any Indonesian company (online or offline) with this visa.

Valid for 1 year
Must leave Indonesia once every 60 days
Not a work permit

Social Budaya (Socio-Cultural) Visa

One of the common visa types that are worth applying for is Social Budaya Visa. This visa lets you stay in Indonesia for up to 180 days. It is valid for 60 days, after which, you will have to apply for an extension, which should grant you another 30 days. Once the 180 days are up, you will have to leave the country before reapplying for a new stay permit. The Social Budaya Visa holder is usually a student, an intern, or anyone with a family member here in Indonesia. Foreigners are strictly prohibited from working with any Indonesian company (online or offline) with this visa.

Valid for 6 months
Must leave Indonesia once every 60 days
Not a work permit

Work Visa – KITAS

A foreign individual traveling into Indonesia cannot apply for a Work KITAS on his or her own. Their sponsor or the company that hired them would have to apply for the permit on their behalf. The foreign person can only officially start work once they have received their Work KITAS. Remember that it is impossible to get a work visa first and look for employment afterward – Indonesia is very strict on its foreign workers’ policy and would usually only allow only selected positions to be filled by foreigners, i.e. General Managers, Yoga Instructor, Specialists, etc.

Valid for 1 year
Issued to the hiring company

Spouse Visa – KITAS

Once you’ve found the love of your life here in Indonesia, are married and have received your official paperwork, you can apply for a Spouse KITAS, which is renewable every year. The Spouse KITAS gives you unlimited entry into Indonesia, so you can go in and out as much as you like, bar any unforeseen circumstances such as a life-altering pandemic. Check out the common visa types details below:

Valid for 1 year
Must provide official paperwork/certificate of marriage

Retirement Visa

Indonesia has retirement visas that are common visa types dedicated to the elders. This is great for anyone aged 55 and older who wants to spend their golden years in Bali. It’s a pretty straightforward visa and with a few requirements like having a local address and hiring local help.

Valid for 1 year
Applicants must be 55 years and older

Investor Visa

Ideal for entrepreneurs and businessmen and women, the Investor Visa is applicable for those who wish to open a company in Indonesia. This is called a PT Foreign Direct Investment Company (PT PMA). It is the only way to legally establish a foreign-owned company in Indonesia. There should be 2 directors, and one of them has to reside in Indonesia and oversee the day-to-day. Those who establish a PT PMA will get a Work KITAS as well as an official tax number, often referred to as NPWP.

Applicable for foreign direct investments
Minimal paid-up capital of 10 billion IDR
Minimum 2 directors or shareholders – 1 to be based in Indonesia

We hope the above was helpful! Disclaimer, this article was written in December 2021 and visa regulations are changing regularly during Covid-19. Please seek professional advice for fulfilling your common visa types and requirements. If you’re looking to buy or sell property here in Bali, you can always refer to Bali Property Direct, we are Bali an innovative online property platform that connects buyers and sellers directly with each other. No agents are involved and therefore no commissions are due.

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