Russian Consulate Awaiting Go-Ahead To Open In Bali As Tourism Grows

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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.

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.”

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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.’ 

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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.

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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.

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. 

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.”

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.”