Many individuals dream of living for a longer time in Bali, Indonesia. And no, we don’t mean getting an extended visa – we’re talking about the path to residing in Bali. So, how does one obtain a residence permit in Bali, Indonesia? What do you need to know to move to this amazing archipelago, and how to start a Bali residency exactly? In this article, we’ll take you through Bali long stay application steps and the journey, which will help you prepare.
Long-Term Plans in Bali: How to Go About It
If you’re looking for work or have already obtained employment with an Indonesian company, are investing in Bali, or looking to retire on the island, then you need more than a visa; you need a stay permit. In Indonesia, the temporary stay permit is the KITAS/ITAS, which, along with its fellow, longer-term permanent residency permit KITAP, allows foreigners to stay in Bali not in terms of months, but years together.
In order to obtain the KITAS/ITAS, applicants need to adhere to several mandatory conditions as well as gather all the required documents and check all boxes. After one obtains a KITAS/ITAS, visa holders need to live in Bali, or Indonesia, for a period of five years at the minimum, after which they will become eligible to apply for permanent residency, along with other conditions. The only exception to this is if the KITAS/ITAS holders are married to Indonesian citizens, in which case they become eligible to apply for the permanent residence permit within two years of living as a temporary resident. Please note: kids born in Indonesia will receive official Indonesian citizenship without any conditions immediately.
Beginner’s Guide to Bali KITAS
Have you decided that a KITAS/ITAS is the right move for you? The next step is proper preparation, which is key to getting your visa smoothly and quickly, as well as avoiding all logistical and legal hassles. Here’s how you need to be planning for Bali KITAS.
Step 1: Determine Your KITAS Category
The first and most important step for travelers is to identify the specific type of KITAS/ITAS that aligns with their purpose of staying in Indonesia and their financial status.
- Are you working remotely for an overseas company that’s not Indonesian? You need the Remote Worker KITAS (E33G).
- Are you working for an Indonesian company? You need the Work KITAS.
- Are you married to an Indonesian citizen? Consider the spouse/dependent/family KITAS.
- Are you aged 55 years or more? Take a look at the retirement KITAS.
- Are you running a business that you’ve invested in? The investor KITAS might suit you best.
Read more about these type of KITAS on our From Visitor to Resident Bali Visa vs. KITAS article.
Step 2: Get a Sponsor
This next step is a non-negotiable one. Every traveler who’s applying for a KITAS needs to secure a sponsor, as every KITAS application requires one. This is a non-negotiable step.
- For those applying for a Remote Worker E33G KITAS or the Retirement KITAS, they’ll usually need government-accredited visa agents to act as their sponsors.
- For those applying for a family/dependent/spouse KITAS, their spouses will act as their sponsors.
- For those applying for investor KITAS or work KITAS, their sponsoring entities will be the Indonesian company (PMA or PT).
Step 3: Prepare your Documents
Next, individuals applying for KITAS need to get their important and core documents together. While requirements mostly differ by the kind of KITAS one applies for, all applications require thorough documentation. Some of the general documents include:
- A passport with sufficient remaining validity, usually around 18–36 months, depending on the duration of the KITAS you’re applying for.
- Applicants need to showcase that they have financial stability via evidence of investment, proof of retirement income, and bank statements.
- Applicants might also require clean background checks done in the form of police certificates from their home countries or the country they’ve lived in last.
- Last but not least, applicants will be required to have all the relevant legal documents and letters from their Indonesian sponsors in their application.
End Game: Permanent Residency
Finally, we round up with what is the last stage to permanent residency in Bali, which will happen quite a few years after you’ve held the KITAS. We’re talking about the KITAP, which requires individuals to hold the relevant KITAS for a consecutive period of at least 3–5 years and can be extended as well. It’s valid for five years at a time and comes with tax obligations and local sponsor oversight. For this, individuals need to have a clean criminal record, at least USD 1,500 per month as their income, as well as up-to-date taxes, along with their NPWP tax number.
In the end, the Bali residency preparation and process aren’t easy. So, it’s better if individuals work with an agency, such as Bali Business Consulting, even though it’s quite easy and possible for them to navigate the process themselves. However, one needs to remember that Indonesian immigration law is extremely dynamic, constantly evolving, and complex. For a long-term plan like a KITAS or even a KITAP, engaging a legal, reputable visa agency is the best initial step to ensure that everything is in order, thus minimizing the risk or rejection or even delays.
