Laralea
Hi everyone, we are an American family (currently living in Hong Kong) moving to Bali on August 1st with our twin 10 year old girls. Have lots of questions, so if there are kind moms and dads out there that don't mind us shooting questions your way, please let me know! (What to bring, importation taxes on household goods, real estate resources, medical options, etc.)
(looking for inexpensive school options and/or homeschool hybrid groups if anyone is a good resource for this as well)
Thanks in Advance,
Lara
Laralea
Hi Davita-
We will have a social visa (extendable up to 6 months) that we will acquire here in Hong Kong at the embassy, prior to arriving in Bali. I work online in the digital realm for companies outside of Indo, therefore, not looking to work in country. We are looking for a 1-3 month rental home now in order to get there and then find a yearly rental after settling in. We are looking to be social and get to know the expat community, however, not sure exactly where to start in that area as well.
Thanks for any help!
-Lara
davita
Unlikely they will bother so long as everything looks personal and used...they usually aren't that interested. If you have prescription drugs/medicines/vitamins best put them all in a plastic bag and be prepared to a show if asked. There is a duty-free shop on arrival in Bali now...just before customs/immigration...haven't tried it yet.
I'd suggest you settle in here and analyse for yourself if worth to import used items from abroad. Imo not worth it unless of a very personal nature.
I agree, in those circumstances its OK to find a villa. Most want a years up-front rent or a long-term lease but I'm sure you will find something...try AirBnB for short-terms.
ronb
A couple of add-on notes:
* importing furniture would be crazy
* rental properties are usually fully furnished
Mark
Maximum value of imports to Indonesia for a family (arriving via an airport) is US$1000. Above that duty applies. Btw, I've also heard that foreign kids need a Kitas to attend school, can anyone confirm this?
davita
Laralea wroteHi everyone, we are an American family (currently living in Hong Kong) moving to Bali on August 1st with our twin 10 year old girls. Have lots of questions, so if there are kind moms and dads out there that don't mind us shooting questions your way, please let me know! (What to bring, importation taxes on household goods, real estate resources, medical options, etc.)
(looking for inexpensive school options and/or homeschool hybrid groups if anyone is a good resource for this as well)
Thanks in Advance,
Lara
Hi Lara and welcome to the forum and to Bali in August.
It would help others give advice if you would offer some info like...what reason are you coming to stay in Bali....i.e. work, visiting...etc.... and what visa will you be using.
All those will have an effect on your lifestyle here.
davita
Thanks for that Lara...
A Sosbud will not allow you to import anything into Indonesia other than what is in your arrival bags. If you wish to send anything from Hong Kong it will be dutiable.
If you know which area of Bali you wish to live others may identify what accommodation is available...other than that I'd suggest checking into a hotel first then roam your area of choice and look at the local adverts on walls of expat style pubs, restos and supermarkets. Bali Advertiser Google) also has many accommodation advertised as do realtors. There is an abundance available so take your time and bargain.
There are no medical options available for you so suggest having medical insurance...simple doctor's visits are very cheap so I'd only look for in-hospital and accident insurance.... with cover to go for serious emergencies to other countries.
Laralea
Thank you for the info - super helpful!
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[*]Do you know if the arrival bags things will be limited to a certain value? For example, if we had 15 duffle bags of things and they were valued at $2-3k (USD) - would that be duty taxed?
[*]If we did choose to import some furniture or larger items through an air shipment, do you have any idea what those taxes would be - or just not worth it?
[*]With four kids (our university aged kids will be with us until the end of summer), we would prefer to go directly into a villa for the first month, rather than dragging kids and bags into small rooms and then having to transfer - we have been working with some realtors and currently trying to find a good fit. Currently targeting Canggu area and surrounding neighborhoods.
[*]Noted on the bargaining, will do!
[*]We will have medical insurance, so not an issue for doctor's visit reimbursements, hospital and/or emergency evaluations.
[/LIST]
Thanks again - super helpful!
-Lara
sayangku
Yes, kids need to have a resident visa/ study visa to attend school. I think Green School Bali can arrange, others might as well. No idea if this then mean the rest of the family can get visa on basis of being guardian of children
Schools will range from 10-20k USD a year per child. Most schools seem to be resigned to shortish stay nomad families, so will accept admissions/ payment for less than a year
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for more than 183 days a year, that technically makes you tax resident, and Indonesia taxes you on world wide income, as well as your US filing obligations. Double tax treaty reduces the pain. Of course, many ignore this, but it is the law.
Gustavo
Hi Lara,
I'm new here. I'm moving from London to Canggu with my wife and 2 young kids on the 10th September. We'll be staying for 6 months, maybe more.
Would be great to meet you and your family and learn from your first month's experience.
Have a good trip.
Gustavo
Laralea
Gustavo wroteHi Lara,
I'm new here. I'm moving from London to Canggu with my wife and 2 young kids on the 10th September. We'll be staying for 6 months, maybe more.
Would be great to meet you and your family and learn from your first month's experience.
Have a good trip.
Gustavo
For Sure Gustavo - would love to meet up and relay whatever info is helpful! We certainly have learned a lot in our short time here already.
-Lara
