How to Legally Work in Bali: A Guide for Foreigners

Planning to work in Bali? This comprehensive guide walks you through the essential steps and requirements for relocating to Bali as a foreigner– from choosing the right visa based on your work plans to finding a location that compliments your lifestyle on the island.

Understanding Bali Work Requirements for Foreigners

To legally work in Bali as a foreigner, you need two key documents:

1. Work Permit (IMTA): Also known as ‘Notification,’ this is obtained by your employer from the Ministry of Manpower allowing you to legally work for an Indonesian or foreign-owned company.
2. Limited Stay Permit (KITAS): Obtained from the Indonesian Immigration Office, allowing you to reside in Indonesia for an extended period, for specific purposes.

Standard requirements for foreign nationals to obtain a work visa in Bali include:

• Passport with at least 18 months of validity from the date of application.
• Recent color photograph (4x6cm) with red background.
• Educational certificates and proof of work experience.
• Proof of financial means, showing at least US $ 2,000 or its equivalent.
• A statement of commitment, to be completed within 90 days of arriving in Indonesia. This could include:
  • A notification from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, or
  • A statement from an Indonesian government agency in case the foreigner is sponsored or guaranteed by such an agency.

• Health certificate from a designated hospital in Indonesia.
• Proof of valid health and life insurance in Indonesia.

Note: Working on a tourist or business visa, or breaking KITAS rules is illegal and can lead to serious penalties like deportation, being detained, and penalized with fines of up to 500 million IDR.

Visa Options for Working in Bali

If you are planning to work in Bali, you will need to conduct thorough checking for the right visa application and liaisons with local authorities. 

For example, your meeting gets relocated from Jakarta to Bali on short notice– not only will you need to quickly secure a visa, you must also inform the Indonesian immigration authorities to avoid penalties.

Short-Term Business Visas

Short-term visas do not allow formal employment in Indonesia. Instead, they are suitable for a range of business-related activities, such as conducting market research for an eventual investment or company expansion. Here are some options:

1. Pre-Investment Visa (D12) is a multiple-entry visa valid for 2 years, with stays of up to 180 days per entry as an investor.
2. Visa on Arrivals (VOA) are valid for 30 days single-entry and available to select nationalities.
3. Single Entry Visit Visa (A) for a duration of up to 60 – 180 days.
4. Multiple Entry Visas (D1/D2) for multiple entries into Bali over a longer period (1, 2, or 5 years) for business or governmental reasons.
5. Performer’s Visa limits you to receiving only honorariums or performance fees for specific cultural events or artistic performances. 

Long-Term Work Visas

For foreigners planning to work in Bali on a longer basis, there are some visa options that allow extended stays and formal employment. 

These visas cater to different professional needs, whether you’re looking to work for an Indonesian company, establish your own business, or work remotely for an overseas employer.

The following are your main long-term work visa options for working in Bali:

Visa Type	Duration	Purpose	Eligibility
Working KITAS (E23)	6 months – 2 years	Employment by Indonesian company or foreign-owned companies (PT PMA)	Sponsored by employer
Investor KITAS (E28)	2 years	Business ownership/investment	Minimum investments required
Remote Worker Visa (E33G)	1 year	Remote work for overseas company	Proof of employment and income

Important notes:

• Only the Working KITAS allows formal employment with Indonesian companies. 
• The Investor KITAS allows work only within your own company.
• The Remote Worker Visa does not allow local employment. As such, if you are a remote worker employed by an Indonesian company, you will need to apply for a standard work visa (Working KITAS), instead.

Relocation Essentials for Foreign Nationals in Bali

Relocating to the Right Location in Bali

Bali offers diverse locations suitable for different lifestyles and budgets. The cost of living varies significantly across the island, ranging from $800 to as much as $3,000 a month, depending on your needs and preferences.

It is important to consider factors such as work environment, amenities, food choices, and local culture when selecting where to relocate to.  Here’s a rough overview of the cost of living for popular relocation areas around Bali:

City	Work Environment	Housing Options	Lifestyle	Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
Ubud	Ideal for creatives, quiet, close to nature	Villas, eco-lodges	Laid-back, culturally rich	$800 – $1,500
Canggu	Social, digital nomad hub	Villas, shared apartments	Beach lifestyle, nightlife	$1,000 – $2,000
Denpasar	Business-oriented	Apartments, urban housing	Busy, urban, more local experience	$600 – $1,200
Seminyak	Upscale, tourist-friendly	Luxury villas, apartments	High-end dining, shopping	$1,500 – $3,000

Check out our complete guide to relocating to Bali for a more detailed look at the different lifestyle choices and requirements for settling across the region.

Key Considerations for Property Ownership in Bali

If you’re considering buying a property in Bali for working purposes then it is important to remember that current regulations do not allow foreigners to own land. However, there are several options you can consider for purchasing and renting property in Bali  as a foreigner:

1. Right to Use (Hak Pakai)

• Available to foreigners with a valid KITAS or KITAP permit.
• Allows ownership of residential property for 30 years, extendable for 20 and renewable for 30 years.
• Limited to one property per foreigner.
• Minimum property value applies and varies by region.

2. Right to Build (Hak Guna Bangunan or HGB) 

• Requires establishing an Indonesian-registered foreign-owned company (PT PMA).
• Similar validity period and extension terms with Right to Use. 
• Allows for development and potential rental income.
• Suitable for commercial properties and long-term business plans like large-scale developers.

3. Leasehold vs. Freehold Properties

• If you buy a leasehold property, you will have the rights to the property until your lease expires (between 25-30 years with extensions).
• However, make sure to factor it into your business plan because, unlike a freehold property, you won’t benefit from the land appreciation. Essentially, you need to earn your money back in the rent you receive during the leasehold period.
• Foreigners can obtain indirect ownership of freehold properties via the right to use (hak pakai) license through a PT PMA. 
• Most large-scale developers opt for freehold licenses because it gives them the chance to earn rental revenue and benefit from the appreciation of the land throughout their operations in Bali. 

Navigating the full requirements and essentials for your Bali relocation requires localized insights to help you stay compliant with local regulations. Depending on the nature of your work and employment terms, you may need to provide additional documentation or consider a different type of visa or permit for you to work in Bali.

Want to work in Bali? Emerhub’s local experts can help you with all relevant visa services and property ownership for your stay in Bali. Fill out the form below and we’ll connect you with one of our local experts!