So, you want to work in Bali and you want to do it legally? Then, you’ll need our guide to getting a work permit and all the other necessary documentation to enjoy a safe and secure working life in Indonesia.
What Do You Need To Work Legally In Bali?
There is only one way to work legally in Bali as a foreigner. Firstly, you must obtain a KITAS (this is a limited stay permit card) that allows you to enter the country and stay here.
It doesn’t, however, allow you to work. For that, you need an IMTA which is always obtained following the release of a KITAS and usually, after you have entered Bali.
KITAS (Limited Stay Visa)
A KITAS must be applied for by the company you intend to work for here in Indonesia. They will usually work with an accredited visa agent to do this.
Note: Not all businesses are qualified to apply for the KITAS. They must have enough capital to qualify. Typically, small businesses such as dive shops and bars, don’t qualify.
It’s not a cheap process, nor is it quick. It can cost around $1,500 USD ($2,250 AUD) and takes up to 3 months.
The law requires you to be outside of Indonesia to apply for a KITAS (in practice, however, you may exit Indonesia and re-enter once the KITAS has been granted).
Once you have the KITAS, it’s a single-entry visa. You enter Indonesia and then have to visit the immigration office to get a 6-month or 1-year KITAS (this will depend on the job type).
As a foreign worker in Indonesia, you are liable for a monthly work permit tax of $100/month – this is paid in advance. In general, your employer will cover this but check your contract because some companies will claw it back from your income.
You will also be required to obtain an NPWP (tax number) and pay taxes. Foreigners who work in Indonesia must make a minimum taxable salary, so don’t think your friend can hire you on $200 a month for their business, you won’t get a KITAS.
IMTA (Work Permit/Work Visa)
Your employer will also have to apply for an IMTA when they apply for the KITAS. This is your actual authorization to work and it will result in both a work permit (the IMTA) and a tax number so that you can pay income tax, assuming your application is successful.
Higher Education Qualifications
You’re not allowed to take a low skilled position in Indonesia, because these jobs can easily be learned by a local person. Thus, you are expected to provide evidence of higher education as part of the application process.
Can You Bring Family Members To Indonesia With These Documents?
Only if you hold a “dependant KITAS” which must, again, be applied for by your company. In this instance, you may bring your spouse and any children under the age of 17 to live with you in Indonesia.
Before your company can get the correct KITAS, the family members must enter the country on a single-visit visa known as a Telex Vitas.
What Documents Do You Need For A Limited Stay Permit Card And A Working Visa?
To get your KITAS and IMTA you will need the following:
A colour scan of your passport (all pages) and your passport must be valid for 18 months
A colour scan of your CV/resume and this should be stamped by the company and signed by a director of the company
A colour scan of your latest and highest qualification in either an English or Indonesian language format again this should be stamped by the company and signed by a director of the company
A colour scan of work certificates from the last 5 years (this is essentially a list of previous employers and their official stamps)
A copy of your health insurance details (this is usually supplied by the company)
Passport photos (4 in total, 3 x 4 cm or 4 x 6 cm) with a red background
In addition to the documents above, the company has to supply a ton of documents too. Their agent will guide them through this process.
If you want to bring dependents you will also need:
Your certificate of marriage (in English or Indonesian)
Your birth certificates (in English or Indonesian)
More photos of each applicant (4 in total, 3 x 4 cm or 4 x 6 cm) with a red background
What About Digital Nomad Visas?
There aren’t any at the moment. We know, the Indonesian government has made a lot of noise about different digital nomad visa schemes in the last few years, one of them has even made it onto the statute books.
However, it is impossible to conduct online business in Indonesia (including Bali) legally at this moment without starting a company and registering it to pay taxes.
This company will then need to hire local workers before it can sponsor you on a work permit.
Unfortunately, this process is both long-winded and expensive and likely to deter most digital nomads from setting foot in Bali.
What About The B211A Visa?
The B211A visa is a tourist visa. It offers no right to work here in Bali, it just allows you to stay in Indonesia for a longer period of time.
It’s the option that most nomads use to stay here, right now, but it’s not legal. And no, there’s no grey area about that.
If you want to seek a second opinion on the legality of working on tourist visas, we recommend you talk to the Bureau of Immigration and not to digital nomads or visa agents selling these visas as valid for work.
What About Permanent Stay? KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit Card)
It is possible to gain permanent stay permits as a foreign worker but it’s a long process. You will need to stay on a KITAS for 4 years if you are not married to a local and 2 years if you are.
After this, your employer can apply for a KITAP, this is not a permanent residence permit, it allows you to remain in Indonesia for a period of 5 years without reapplying.
Once you’ve held this form of KITAP twice, you will be given a KITAP that provides permanent residence.
FAQs
Can You Get A Working Visa In Bali?
Yes! But we have to level with you, it’s not an easy process and if your heart is set on living in Bali and working for a local business, you will need specialist skills and an employer that is able to apply for a work permit.
Most people who work in Bali from other countries are in the hospitality industry but there are some other industries that accept overseas employees.
Can Aussies Work In Bali? Can Foreigners Get Jobs In Bali?
Yes! Aussies can work in Bali and so can foreigners from most other countries. However, you will need to find a sponsor and successfully complete the application process for a limited stay permit card and then for a working visa.
You can no longer open a bank account in Indonesia without a local tax number which can make life difficult for the would-be remote worker as they will need to bank in their home country.
Can You Get A Working Holiday Visa For Bali?
No. Indonesia does not currently offer working holiday visas. You might be able to obtain an internship with a local company but this would usually be on a tourist visa or other visa and in an unofficial capacity.
How Can I Move To Bali And Work?
The only way to move to Bali or anywhere in Indonesia and work is to find an employer here who needs your skills and has the facility to sponsor your work permit.
If you are employed in Indonesia without this paperwork, you’re not here legally.
Do I Need A Visa To Work Remotely In Bali From A Foreign Country?
Technically, yes, you need a visa to work remotely in Bali. To work legally, you need a work permit. However, at this moment, the Bali government seems to be turning a blind eye to remote workers using visit visas to remain in Indonesia.
We would note that this could change at any moment, particularly, if they introduce the proposed digital nomad visas.
How Much Do Bali Workers Make? What Is The Average Salary In Bali?
The average salary in Bali for local skilled workers is 203,290,436 IDR per year, which is an hourly rate of about 97,736 IDR which is about $6 USD or $9 AUD. Unskilled workers may earn as little as $140 (USD) or $210 (AUD) a month.
For expatriates, the average salaries tend to be between $1,850 and $3,750 USD (that’s roughly $2,700 to $5,500 AUD). Pay, generally speaking, doesn’t tend to be very high in Indonesia compared to some other expat postings such as China, Singapore or Dubai.
Is It Easy To Get A Job In Indonesia As A Foreigner?
No. Even if you speak Bahasa Indonesia finding a job in Indonesia is a real challenge. You must have a skill and experience that cannot be duplicated by a local person. You also need to find a company that has a vacancy and the right to sponsor your work in Indonesia.
What Is A Limited Stay Visa?
A limited stay permit or visa is the paperwork that allows you to take up employment in Bali, commonly known as a KITAS.
Your company will need to help you convert this permit into an IMTA if you wish to stay in Bali for more than a month.
Final Thoughts On Getting Work Permits For A Foreign Worker In Bali
Getting jobs in Bali with a business that can sponsor a working visa and pay a decent rate is a big challenge. But without a job and a visa, you’re not able to work legally here.
Sure, for the moment, digital nomads are often here using social visit visas or business visas, but it’s not legal to carry out paid work with either of these visas and if the authorities in Indonesia decide to crack down on this, they can at any time.
