Planning your Retirement in Bali, Indonesia

Retiring in Bali

A common dream is retiring to a beautiful tropical country, where cost of living is low and quality of life is good. Bali is one of these magical destinations where this dream can become a reality.

However, like so many things in life, it is important to get into the details of not only what the requirements are, but also what are potential fiscal implications for moving to another country.

Indonesia has recently updated the Visa and Temporary Stay Permit requirements, changed the Visa Codes and Visa,  application processes – online and offline. We have updated our website accordingly.

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FAQ - Good to Know about the Retirement Regulations for Foreigners

Retirement KITAS

A KITAS is a Limited Stay Permit for Indonesia which makes you a resident of Indonesia. which is usually not the case if you get a Visa. 

KITAS is short for “Kartu Ijin Tinggal Terbatas” (temporary residency stay permit card). 
 
Being an Indonesian resident on KITAS, you can:
open a local bank account, buy vehicles under your own name, obtain local insurance, and getting discounts at tourist destinations, hospitals, and many more.
 
However, there is also responsibility of being an Indonesian resident such as: you must get your own tax file number (NPWP: Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak), filling your yearly tax-report, report your presence to your local communities such as to Banjar, Desa, Police, etc, and/or obtaining your domicile letter (SKTT: Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal).

Other KITAS available in Indonesia:

Employment KITAS (E23), Investment KITAS (E28), Research Activities KITAS (E29), Student KITAS (E30), Family Dependent KITAS (joining a family member who is already a resident in Indonesia (E31), Remote Worker KITAS (Digital Nomad) (E33G), Remote Worker KITAS for Australian Nationals (E35G), Ex Indonesian Citizens (E32).

 

Almost all nationalities can obtain a Retirement Visa/KITAS

EXCEPT those that are considered as “calling-visa” countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Cameroon
  3. Guinea
  4. Israel
  5. Kosovo
  6. Liberia
  7. Nigeria
  8. North Korea
  9. Somalia

Your 2 main options to obtain a E33F Retirement Visa / Residency for Indonesia, Bali

1. Retirement Visa (1y – Sponsored) – Application Handled by a Reliable Visa Agent

Guarantor (Sponsor) is needed.

Basic Requirement according to the official website: A person aged 60 years or older, bank account statement with at least USD 2000 balance, proof of income of at least USD 3,000 per month.

 

Retirement KITAS Application Service incl. Guarantor Letter

Prices and Process

2. Apply Directly on the Immigration Website

If you have all documents ready and feel comfortable with the Immigration Process you can directly apply on the Immigration Website. 
if you do not use the assistance of an agent, please make sure you only use the Official Immigration Website (there are plenty of scammer websites out there)

Immigration Website

 

Many Temporary Resident Permits require local sponsors and guarantors, and/or minimum funds in your bank account, minimum monthly income, minimum paid capital in a local company, or even minimum deposits into Indonesian state banks.

For the different KITAS available for retirement in Indonesia please find the requirements, immigration fees below in the information section.

An Offshore Application means, that you are NOT YET in Indonesia and apply from “outside”.

For retirement KITAS, in case of an offshore application, you will first get a single entry Visa and then complete the KITAS process while in Indonesia. 

An onshore Application means, who are ALREADY in Indonesia and are applying for a Visa or Stay Permit.

This process is called “Alih Status Keimigrasian (Change of the Immigration Status)”.

Onshore Applications are avaiable for quite a few Visa and Stay Permit Types. However, you cannot apply onshore for any Visa or Stay Permit, if you have arrived with a Visa on Arrival (simple Visit Visa). 

For retirement KITAS onshore applications you must have arrived at least with a 211A visit visa (tourism).

Unfortunately NO, you cannot work in Bali or set up any business with your Retirement Visa/KITAS.

With these Retirement Visas you are not allowed to work, run a business or receive any salaries or create income in Indonesia, which would include renting out a property. 

Workaround? If you are bot considering to actualy become an investor or open a business, and simply are looing for the easiest way to stay long-term in Bai, we would not suggest to get these “hollow” investor KITAS.

Often, foreigners who want to settle in Bali for a few years, focus mainly on getting the “right to stay” sorted, means the Visa or KITAS and think less about what comes after. Some agents are selling a 2y Shareholder KITAS, making you a shareholder of a kind of “empty” company, that you won’t know. Yes, this allows foreigners to stay in Bali for two years, however, being shareholder in a local company comes with many legal and fiscal obligations – and risks. We don’t suggest to jump on those type of workarounds.

The Spouse can apply fore a Dependent / Spouse KITAs for that purpose. 

KITAS E33F Detailed Information according to Immigration Ministry

Length of Stay

  • Up to 1 Year

Visa Fee / Cost (only immigration fees)

  • US$150 + Rp2,700,000 (1 Year), if you use the assistance of an agent or bali.com as facilitator, additional fees apply

With this visa you can

  • Carry out activities related to business, meetings, or purchase of goods including but not limited to checking goods at the office, factory, or production site of goods.
  • Bring eligible family to live in Indonesia.
  • Travel to and from Indonesia.
  • Conducting activities related to tourism, and visiting friends or family.

You must

  • Comply with laws and regulations.
  • Respect local customs, culture, and wisdom.
  • Have sufficient living expenses while in Indonesia.

Other information

  • Staying in Indonesia over the period of your stay permit, engaging in prohibited activities, not complying with visa conditions, and/or not complying with Indonesian laws may result in you paying fines, being deported, and/or other legal charges.
  • In addition to the electronic limited stay permit, the limited stay permit also has a physical card available at the immigration office.
  • You are prohibited from selling goods or services.
  • You are prohibited from working by receiving compensation, wages, or any similar from individuals or companies in Indonesia.

 Document Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 (six) months (for holders of travel documents other than passports such as emergency passports, documents of identity, etc. must be valid for 12 months).
  • Personal bank statement with minimum amount USD $2000 or equivalent the last 3 months period (including name, date of period, and balance account).
  • Recent photograph.
  • Guarantee from the guarantor.
  • Bank account proving income or allowance with a value of US$3,000 per month.

Visa Validity

  • This visa must be used to enter Indonesia within a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue.
  • Please note that the validity period of the visa is different from the period of stay, please check your visa for information on the period of stay.

The Silver Hair Visa (5y) – E33E

The name given to this Visa for the “elderly” might  be amusing and confusing. The proper Visa code for this Visa is E33E.

Basic Requirement according to the official website: A person aged 60 years or older who will deposit funds in a state-owned bank account (maximum stay 5 YEARS – extendable). Apply while you are outside of Indonesia.

The core requirement for this Retirement Visa is now, that an applicant has to deposit and equivalent of USD 50,000 in a state owned bank and provide proof of income of at least USD 3,000 per month. If you don’t have these funds or are not willing to deposit this amount in a state owned bank, then this visa is not an option for you.

When getting a Retirement KITAS, there are in essence two topics to be well aware of. The Stay Permit and the implications of becoming a resident in Indonesia. Make sure you, that based on your personal situation, not just the Permit is taken care of.

Therefore beside obtaining the right to stay in Indonesia long-term, which will be covered by getting the KITAS Temporary Resident Permit, it is important to look into potential fiscal consequences – in Indonesia and also your original home country.

Check out our “Moving to Bali Guide” for more information when planning to move to Bali

We highly suggest you work with a reliable and reputable Visa Agent, who can guide you and help you through the process.

Bali.com offers several Visa & KITAS Application Services.- reliable & transparent service