Bali, known for its spirituality and as a healing place is used by thousands of people each year for any kind of retreats from Yoga retreat, to surf retreat or even the emergence of business development retreat. Located East of Bali, Lombok now sees more and more foreigners converging to participate in retreats. However, organizers and foreigners teaching or practicing at retreats must carefully use the correct permits and visas to avoid deportation or fines from Indonesian immigration, despite the growing number of retreats. This article reviews the different options for a foreigner to teach or organize a retreat in Bali.
How to Organize a Retreat or Event in Bali or Lombok
Legalities
The organizer of the retreat in Bali has to be a company registered in Indonesia. Foreigners can pay a local organizer to conduct the retreat. The organizer needs to have the proper licence to operate the retreat or the event. The government issues the NIB license and the Sertifikat Standard for event organizers.
In other words, if a foreigner living outside Indonesia wants to organize a retreat in Bali, they must outsource the event’s organization to a third party or an Indonesian company (PT PMA).
A foreigner can teach or be a speaker at an event to earn income, provided they have the proper visa. Indonesian immigration offers several types of visas related to events and retreats, both paid and non-paid.
A way to organise a retreat for a single or two events per year is to use a hosted business licence. In other words the company will proceed with its licence to receive all incomes and pay the venue and operator.
Visas for a retreat or event in Bali
C10 Visa – Invited as event participant
This visa suits individuals invited to events in Indonesia or those working temporarily without being bound by a formal contract. The person can receive a wage from the organizer and work without being under a working contract. The C10 visa is valid for 60 days and is extendable. The visa works well for speakers, lecturers, presenters in exhibitions, conventions, retreats. This visa does not suit individuals who teach courses, but it allows those who demonstrate their skills such as yoga performers at retreats or events to participate legally.
E23 – Working visa
Indonesian immigration grants a working visa to individuals employed by an Indonesian company, valid for up to one year. They issue the visa after the Ministry of Manpower approves the work permit.
The visa is suitable for people looking to teach frequently during an event and looking to organize and provide services during retreats (yoga teacher, consultant, performer etc). The person needs to apply for a visa through an Indonesian company or set up its own company and work as an employee of this company.
C7 – Performer visa
The government grants the C7 visa for 30 days, with two possible extensions, allowing a total stay of up to 180 days. This visa allows you to work as a yoga teacher, provided you’re not employed locally. In other words, you can receive payment from outside Indonesia if you’re working on a contract or freelance basis and don’t intend to work permanently in the country. The visa is also suitable for Chef, art and culture performer, bartender etc.
Your visa process made easy with ILA
Indonesia has so many visas to choose from, each with its own requirements, regulations, and duration. As the government continues to issue more permits, it can be challenging to keep track and choose the one that’s right for you.
With the help of ILA, you can be sure that you’ll get the best visa for your needs as quickly and efficiently as possible without having to worry about any missing documents.
Whether you’re looking for an Investor KITAS, Working KITAS, Second Home Visa, Spouse KITAS, Multiple Entry Business Visa or Remote Worker Visa, we can help make the process efficient and smooth.
Schedule a free consultation today or learn more about the different visa options.
Utility of an Organizer of Record
The organizer of record can assist you to organize the retreat and work for the organizer. It is the simplest and easiest way to set up your own company in order to organize your retreat.
An organizer of record as ILA can assist to apply and obtain the working permit and KITAS in order to work during a retreat and organize retreat in Bali or Lombok. The organizer of record will organize the event on your behalf, pay the provider on your behalf so a local company will do the organization of the event. The organizer will handle your work permit, allowing you to work legally during the retreat and run multiple retreats per year without hassle. They will also collect and pay the taxes related to the event, so you can focus fully on your work and event planning.
Read More: Remote worker and Digital nomad Visa in Bali
Setting Up a Company for Retreat in Bali and Lombok
Another way to organize the event or retreat is to set up your own company. This solution is suitable for individuals looking to organize their retreat frequently in Bali or Lombok. This solution is more beneficial than the previous one for people looking to organize more than 2 events or retreat per year. The foreigner can have his/ her own business and work in different venues and get his/ her own working permit to teach during those events and sessions.
The set-up of the company takes 1 to 2 weeks, while obtaining a working permit can take more than one month. We recommend organizing the set up a few months before starting the activity. The company called PT PMA will be able to invoice clients overseas and also to invoice for example Yoga center, retreat center so the foreigner can also work legally and provide services in Gym, Yoga center, retreat center, event center and get paid without any issues. The person will contribute to the social security system (BPJS), pay their tax and be part of the community.
Contact ILA if you want to know more about how to organize a retreat in Indonesia and want to know more about the most suitable visa.
