Long-Term Visa Options for Moving to Bali

Remote Worker Visa / E33G KITAS

Remote Worker Visa / E33G KITAS is one of the most suitable visa options for digital nomads or remote employees who want to live in Bali while working for a company outside Indonesia. This visa allows foreign nationals to stay in Indonesia for up to 1 year and carry out work duties for an overseas company, with the ability to leave and re-enter Indonesia as long as the re-entry permit remains valid. Applicants generally need to show proof of sufficient funds, annual income of at least USD 60,000, and an employment agreement with a company established outside Indonesia. The main limitation is that this visa is not intended for working for Indonesian clients, selling goods or services locally, or doing work outside the permitted visa activity.

B211A Visit Visa / Current Single-Entry Visit Visa

B211A Visit Visa / Current Single-Entry Visit Visa is still commonly used as a public term, but under Indonesia’s current visa classification, similar short-stay purposes are now generally listed under single-entry visit visa categories such as C1 for tourism or C2 for business visits, depending on the activity. For people who are still exploring Bali before deciding to relocate, a visit visa can be useful for short stays, property viewing, meetings, tourism, or general preparation. The C1 Visit Visa allows an initial stay of up to 60 days and can be extended several times up to 180 days, but it does not allow the holder to sell goods or services, receive wages, or work for individuals or companies in Indonesia.

Investor KITAS / E28A Visa Investor

Investor KITAS / E28A Visa Investor is designed for foreign investors who plan to invest in, manage, or supervise a company in Indonesia, usually through a properly structured Indonesian investment company. This visa can be issued for 1 year or 2 years, allows the holder to conduct investment-related and business activities, and may also allow the holder to act as a director or commissioner in the company where they invest. A key requirement is proof of share ownership of at least IDR 10 billion in the sponsoring company registered through the relevant investment authority. The important limitation is that the applicant’s company structure, shareholding, and role must be aligned with Indonesian immigration rules; if the shareholding does not meet the investor requirement and the person holds an operational company role, a work visa may be required instead.

Retirement Visa / E33F Visa

Retirement Visa / E33F Visa is intended for older foreign nationals who want to stay in Indonesia long term without taking employment. Based on the current official classification, the E33F is a 1-year limited stay visa that can be extended and requires a sponsor, proof of sufficient living funds, and proof of income or allowance of at least USD 3,000 per month. This option is relevant for retirees who want to live in Bali with a more stable residency basis than a short visit visa. The main limitation is that it does not function as a work visa, so holders must avoid employment or business activities outside what is permitted by their stay permit.

We have created a dedicated article discussing visas for Bali, kindly check here

1. How Much Money Do You Need to Live in Bali?

A realistic monthly budget for living in Bali depends on your lifestyle, location, housing type, and whether you are moving alone or with family. As a planning estimate, a budget-conscious lifestyle may cost around $1,000 to $1,500 per month, while a comfortable single expat lifestyle often falls around $1,800 to $2,500 per month. Families usually need a much higher budget, often around $4,000 to $6,500 per month, especially when larger housing and school fees are included. These ranges are not fixed costs, because living in areas such as Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, or Sanur is usually more expensive than choosing quieter inland or local residential areas.

2. Housing and Upfront Rental Costs

Housing is usually the biggest expense when moving to Bali, especially if you want a private villa in an expat-friendly area. A simple room, guesthouse, or small apartment can keep costs lower, while a private villa with a pool, multiple bedrooms, staff, or a prime location can increase the budget significantly. Long-term rentals also require careful planning because many landlords ask for several months of rent upfront, and some yearly leases may require 6 to 12 months paid in advance. This means your relocation budget should not only cover monthly rent, but also deposits, advance payments, and inspection time before signing any lease.

3. Daily Living Costs

Daily living costs in Bali can be affordable if you eat at local warungs, use a scooter, and live outside the busiest expat areas. However, costs can rise quickly if your routine includes Western-style cafes, restaurants, coworking spaces, gyms, ride-hailing, imported groceries, laundry, cleaning, and household help. You should budget separately for food, transport, utilities, internet, coworking, fitness, and personal expenses so the monthly estimate stays realistic. This is especially important in areas like Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Sanur, where lifestyle spending is often higher because of international demand.

4. Family and School Budget

Families moving to Bali need a separate financial plan because education can become one of the largest recurring costs. International school fees vary widely depending on the school, curriculum, grade level, registration fees, uniforms, transport, meals, and extracurricular activities. Lower-cost schools may be more affordable, but premium international schools can add a major yearly expense, especially for families with more than one child. Because of this, a family relocation budget should include housing, school fees, healthcare, transport, groceries, visas, and emergency savings, not just basic monthly living costs.

5. Banking, Transfers, and Emergency Fund

Before moving to Bali, prepare enough funds for visa processing, rent deposits, upfront lease payments, health insurance, transport setup, International Driving Permit needs, and unexpected relocation costs. New arrivals should not only prepare the first month’s budget because housing, immigration, healthcare, and daily setup often require larger upfront spending. A safer approach is to prepare an emergency fund of at least 3 to 6 months of living costs, especially if your income comes from overseas or you need time to arrange local banking after getting the correct residency status. This buffer helps protect you from exchange-rate changes, delayed payments, medical issues, or sudden housing problems during the first few months.