Bali’s Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has released data on residency permits issued in 2022. The data reveals the number of people who applied for residency is in Bali last year and the passports they hold. The data indicates the level of interest in Bali as a destination for international citizens who want to build a life abroad.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, 3rd January, the Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Sugito, said “the total 71,001 stay permits issued by Ngurah Rai Immigration consists of 42,311 Visitor Stay Permits (ITK), 22,346 Extension of Visa on Arrival (VKSK), 3,831 Temporary Stay Permit (ITAS), and 410 Permanent Stay Permits (ITAP)”.
To view the data by demographic Sugito said that Russian citizens were the most frequent applicants for residency visas last year. Altogether a total of 29,762 Russian nationals applied for residency visa categories from Bali. This was followed by 8,219 Australians, 7,434 Germans, 6,547 French, and 6,516 British passport holders.
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According to Sugito, no foreigners applied for the new second home visa through the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office last year. The second home visa has been hailed by many as a progressive way to encourage high-value investment into Indonesia, specifically in Bali. Yet, the announcement of the new visa left many retirement visa holders in limbo, unsure as to how the new visa category would impact their future plans.
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After an open letter was sent to the government from Bali’s international ex-pat community, the central immigration office issued a statement to clarify that there were no proposed changes to existing retirement visa categories and that the second home visa is an option for international citizens looking to specifically establish a second home in Indonesia.
In late December, the Public Relations Sub-coordinator of the Directorate General of Immigration, Achmad Nur Saleh, released a statement. He said “[this is] in response to the concerns of foreigners who were afraid they would be evicted and would no longer be able to stay in Indonesia because of the issuance of the Second Home Visa.”
“We convey that foreigners in Indonesia are welcome to live and enjoy the beauty of Indonesia, please travel, do business, invest or work, with a valid residence permit. Regarding the Second Home Visa, we emphasize that this policy aims to stimulate the property sector by attracting foreigners who are interested in investing in Indonesia”.
Data released by Ngurah Rai Immigration stated that 133 affidavit services were granted, as well as 1,521 exit permits only (EPO) and 439 Entry Re-Entry Permit – Not Returning known as MERP/ERP-TKs.
The EPO is a document given to ITAS/ITAP holders who are looking to end their stay or apply for a new visa. The affidavit service grants Indonesian passports for children of dual nationality. The MERP/ERP-TKs are the documents given to KITAS holders if they intend to leave Indonesia and not return.
In 2023, officials at the Ministry of Tourism want to see more people using the B211a socio-cultural visa, also known as the digital nomad visa. Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies Sandiaga Uno has teamed up with Airbnb to promote lesser-visited areas of Bali and the visa category that allows international citizens to reside in Bali for up to 6 months tax-free.
The visa allows digital nomads to conduct tourism, social, business, government, sports, and transit-related activities and has been referenced by the highest authority as the most appropriate option for digital nomads who want to live and work online in Bali.
Sugito also confirmed that 2,176,004 international arrivals landed at Bali Airport in 2022. He said 1,739,303 foreigners had entered Indonesia using the visa on arrival or electronic VOA services. The visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and costs IDR 500,000 it can be extended one time for a further 30 days and allows visitors to conduct tourism, social, business, government, sports, and transit-related activities in Indonesia.
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Exp
Sunday 8th of January 2023
So only around 4000 KITAS/KITAP then. Excluding spouse sponsored and retirees then there are not many foreigners with valid working permits in Bali compared to overall working age population. Less than 0.1%?
john
Saturday 7th of January 2023
That was a nice earn off the VOA. VOA should last longer, 60-90 days would be great.
John
Thursday 5th of January 2023
The present visa policy of the country is nightmare if you want to stay more than a month. It involves "sponsors" and a lot of bureaucracy for absolutely no other reason than milking the tourists for money.
Nigel
Wednesday 4th of January 2023
Should be able to get 6 months visa on arrival
Stirlo
Thursday 5th of January 2023
@Nigel, I agree and a 3 month voa and not have to do the extention every month at the imagration office