Leaders in Bali have confirmed that they are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to permit the opening of a new Russian Consulate General in the province.
Russia already has an embassy in Jakarta, but a Consulate General and their office would serve commercial affairs and support citizens in conducting immigration-related processes such as visas and passports.
![Russian Flags in Sky](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Russian-Consulate-Set-To-Be-Opened-In-Bali-As-Tourism-Grows.jpg)
The Secretary of Bali Province, Dewa Made Indra, told reporters, “If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed, then the provincial government will accept it or welcome it because the affairs of foreign relations is the authority of the general government, not the authority of regional governments.”
The news of a Russian Consulate General potentially opening in Bali comes as Russian-based airlines have confirmed their interest in opening more direct flights between the country’s major cities and Denpasar.
The General Manager of Bali Airport has also confirmed that at least six international airlines have bid for new flight routes to start this coming October, including airlines from Russia and South Korea.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of Russian tourists, investors, and expats arriving in Bali over the last three years.
However, the number of Russian arrivals pales in comparison to the number of arrivals from Bali’s most frequent international visitors, Australians.
The dialogue around the influx of Russian nationals in Bali hit a fever pitch in May 2024 when the popular coastal resort of Canggu was tagged on Google Maps as ‘New Moscow.’
The opening of a Russian Consulate General in Bali would mean that Russia would join over a dozen other countries that have consulates, honorary consulates, or consulate generals in the province. The offices of which are found either in Denpasar or Sanur.
Countries with consulates in Bali Province include Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Countries with embassies in Indonesia include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Citizens from all of these nations are permitted to apply for a visa on arrival, or the e-visa on arrival in order to conduct tourism, social or specific business related activities in Indonesia.
![Visa-Stamp-Passport](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Visa-Stamp-Passport.jpg)
In total, there are 94 embassies in Indonesia, the majority of which are based in the country’s capital, Jakarta.
These embassies and diplomatic missions offer services and support to foreigners in Indonesia and also serve as a base for members of each country’s government to serve in its work in international relations.
Indra also spoke about the prospect of the Indonesian government opening an office for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bali Province so that there is a permanent office and foreign affairs team on the island.
![Jakarta-traffic-min](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Jakarta-traffic-min.jpeg.webp)
Indra said, “I personally see that it’s a good idea. We’ll coordinate later. In fact, it’s relatively reasonable, not to mention that there are important international activities.”
“It is very good if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a representative in Bali but the decision to open it or not rests with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
![Ariel-View-Of-Denpasar-Regency-From-City-To-Ocean](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ariel-View-Of-Denpasar-Regency-From-City-To-Ocean.jpg.webp)
Speaking separately, Bali-based civil servant Gede Kusuma Putra said that he also supports the opening of a Russian Consulate General and an Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Bali.
Putra said, “Foreign tourists in Bali who have been throwing tantrums recently have certainly damaged Bali’s tourism image. On the other hand, we still hope that foreign tourist visits will continue to increase.”
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
![](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bali-Sun-Premium-1024x973.jpg)
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Randy
Sunday 4th of August 2024
However Russian citizens are NOT on the list of 10 eligible countries who can apply for the Golden visa...
Indonesia wants to remain neutral and stay on friendly terms with anyone whose countries may be at odd with each other regardless of politics or sanctions. Indonesia letting guards down once again...
BaliEyeWitness...
Friday 2nd of August 2024
So Bali is doing deals with Putin the international war criminal who daily kills many people in Ukraine and destroys their lives. I can see the direction Bali is going and it's incredibly sad it's basically going to destroy everything that I like about the place it's culture the natural beauty friendliness of the people. Trust even. It's all about the money, money at any price sell our culture, sell our land, sell our inheritance, sell everything that matters
Randy
Monday 5th of August 2024
@Shorty, spot on.
Exp
Monday 5th of August 2024
@Exp, dear leader, not dead (yet...)
Nyoman
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@BaliEyeWitness..., stop crying, no one cares, go back home if you don't like it, we dont care about you.
Randy
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@Exp, they built a hospital there on humanitarian purposes, I am sure you can relate to that... What picture?? Humor us all, will you??
Shorty
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@Exp,
What's wrong with humanitarian aid and assistance?
In case you don't know or choose to ignore it, the Australian Government is giving A$32.2 million to the occupied Palestinian territories.
Hns
Friday 2nd of August 2024
Russians?? Before you know you’re part of russia of a resting/training resort for the wagner group😂😂
Randy
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@Hns, the Russians living in Bali could post their grievances at the Consulate for being discriminated in Bali. You will see...
Shorty
Saturday 3rd of August 2024
@Hns,
So does your logic and reasoning include the countries that have consulates in Bali!
J West
Thursday 1st of August 2024
The rush by Bali to harvest short term profit from an unstable Russian expatriate vagrant population may prove to be a long term mistake. In practical terms, having only one customer, you lose all leverage and control which may otherwise exist in the open market.
J West
Tuesday 6th of August 2024
@Shorty, I don't have to visit Sydney to count heads..thanks . What I'm saying is this...for ex: buy a house in any neighborhood then find in two years you're surround by one group exclusively. Who are you going to sell to? The value chain ends with you. Pricing in a ghetto only goes one way... down...because you're selling into a 'gree and fair" market. You're left in a bubble with only one customer. Ex: A new mosque appears on your block residential or commercial, who is your buyer, locked in to the whim of only those who want to live close to mosque..will the pay upu full price when they know you have no other offers,? Urban Economies 101.
Randy
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@Shorty, I guess so.
Shorty
Sunday 4th of August 2024
@J West,
The Russians are at Canggu irrespective of whether there's a Consulate.
Negative real estate values, commercial loss?
Been to Sydney - Cabramatta, Fairfield, Bankstown, Guildford, Marrickville, St Ives, Harris Park, Earlwood, Leichhardt, Lidcombe.....
J West
Saturday 3rd of August 2024
@Shorty, Sure, that’s why Canggu is referred to as ‘Little Moscow’ and not ‘Little Bondi’. It’s increasingly become ‘Russo Centric’ to the exclusion of all others.
Anywhere ethnic and linguistic ghettos appear globally you see a sharp long-term deterioration of commercial opportunities for locals. The practice is long term very negative for real estate values. urban economics 101. Wake up Bali.
Shorty
Friday 2nd of August 2024
@J West,
There's a Russian Embassy in Jakarta. This is just opening a consulate in Bali.
No different to Australia, India, Switzerland...,.
Nyoman
Thursday 1st of August 2024
Great decision, Bali welcome Russian visitors and hope many more will come and enjoy our island .
BaliEyeWitness...
Friday 2nd of August 2024
@Nyoman, oh dear ...
"Great decision, Bali welcome Russian visitors and hope many more will come and DESTROY our island"
There I fixed that for you