Relocating to Bali as an expat alone or with your family is an exciting moment. However, figuring out how to move to Bali while navigating the legal landscape and administrative procedures can feel overwhelming. As a legal consulting company, we understand the crucial legal aspects to ensure your family’s relocation is compliant and stress-free:
Visas and Immigration
The first question people have before moving is how can I stay legally in Bali and which visa should I use. Having the proper visa is crucial to avoid any trouble and having to be deported. There is not one solution. The solution depends on each individual and each family.
- Remote worker KITAS: Ideal for remote workers, this visa permit stays up for 1 year and can be renewed without having to leave the country
- Parent KITAS: This stay permit is perfect for parents moving to Bali and having their kids going to school here and getting a student KITAS
- Retirement Visa: Designed for retirees over 55, this visa is ideal for people who have already retired and having proof of income over 3000 USD
- Investor KITAS: This visa is great for people setting up a company here and looking to invoice their overseas clients.
- Spouse KITAS: Ideal for the spouse of a person having a KITAS here. The spouse needs a marriage certificate as proof of relation.
- Second Home KITAS: This visa valid for 5 years is a perfect solution for expat having at least 130 000 USD to save on a bank account.
- Child KITAS: This stay permit allows the parents to sponsor their kids and stay in Indonesia in line with their stay permit.
- Working KITAS: This stay permit is valid for 1 year and for people hired by a company in Indonesia.
Your visa process is made easy with ILA
Indonesia has so many visas to choose from, each with its own requirements, regulations, and duration. With more constantly being issued by the government, it can be hard to keep track and choose one that is 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.
Housing
If you’re figuring out how to move to Bali, securing housing is one of the first challenges to address. Unlike most western countries, Indonesia and especially Bali don’t really offer monthly rentals. If you plan to move to Bali, we recommend you stay a few days in a villa, look around which area suits you the most, and try to enter into an agreement with an owner to rent the villa for the medium- or long term. Most of the deals involve signing a lease agreement (private contract) to rent the property for a certain period.
- Lease Agreements: Check the lease terms carefully, ensuring clarity on rent, duration, termination clauses, and maintenance responsibilities. We recommend to engage a legal professional like ILA to review contracts
- Property Ownership: The ownership is not available to individuals or under certain conditions. It is possible for a KITAS holder to purchase a villa and acquire a Hak Pakai for a total duration of 80 years. However, this ownership does not allow foreigners to rent out the property.
If a foreigner wishes to do proper business, they need to set up a company and purchase the property under an HGB in order to get full ownership.
Education
Unlike Western countries, public education does not offer English education. Most of the best schools in Bali are expensive for people coming from a country where education is free. Depending on the school, parents may have to spend from 8 000 USD a year to 20 000 USD.
Uluwatu area doesn’t offer proper schools above 10 years old for now, and most of the ex-pats stay around Seminyak and Canggu to offer good international education.
Healthcare
When planning to move to Indonesia, we recommend having proper private insurance. Indonesia has poor public health care services, and hospitals might request to pay the bills before starting health care services.
There are some private insurance around the country for a reasonable price, such as Allianz, or local banks offering the service as well.
Making your own business and working contract.
If you’re wondering how to move to Bali and establish a business, the process is relatively easy. People can quickly be interested in setting up their own company. The Bali environment is a great place for entrepreneurs looking to expand and develop their ideas.
Foreigners can set up a PT PMA to invoice clients in Indonesia or other parts of the world.
Understanding employment laws is essential if you or your spouse plan to work in Bali. If you plan to hire foreigners, you need to sponsor them and get a work permit under the company.
Indonesia offers incentives with a lower tax rate of 0.5% for the 3 first years of the business if the annual return does not exceed 4.8 billion IDR.
Also read: How to Work in Bali Legally? (2024 Comprehensive Guide)
Taxes
Indonesia applies the principle of worldwide income. It means that an expat is supposed to declare its assets and income from all around the world. We recommend talking to us or a tax consultant to understand how the taxation will impact you or your family. Understanding Indonesian tax laws is crucial to avoid legal complications, especially for the one investing in properties. The tax has to be reported as below:
- From January to March for the personal income tax
- From January to April for the corporate tax
- On a monthly basis for companies under some tax regime or some local tax
Documentation
In addition to the KITAS (stay permit), foreigners need to get additional documentation once they live and enter the country.
- EFIN: Electronic Filling Identification Number to log into the online tax system
- NPWP: Represent their tax number (16 digits)
- SKTT: This is the temporary residential card that can be obtained with the Banjar
- BPJS card for the one working under their company or another company. This is their social security number
- Driving license: As residents, foreigners must obtain a driving license to drive a motorbike or a car in Bali.
At ILA, as expats and locals, we understand the stress and the difficulty of finding information to prepare for your expatriation after you arrive in Indonesia. We recommend contacting us to ensure you have all the necessary documentation and ensure a smooth transition to Indonesia.