Hello everyone, I just went through this thread and have a couple of questions but firstly, thanks for all the info already posted. My family and I are interested in migrating to Bali.
I am 33, my partner is 38 and our son is 9 months old. We are not married but have been together for over 10 years.
All three of us are Australian citizen.
I work for a global Tech organization in Sales and my partner is a CPA qualified accountant working in the Education industry. The company I work for as an office in Jakarta. is the KITAS an option for me? (I don't think so)
This would certainly be the best possible solution as it would avoid all of the problems associated with setting up your own company, grey areas and would be at the expense and effort of your employer. On the face of it there's no reason why you shouldnt be able to do this, you'd just have to get the relevant manager to sign-off on it and then the slightly unusual working from jakarta office whilst working from home in Bali say 4 days a week or maybe 5. Are you drinking buddies with the CEO? I have seen more mad things happen in the corporate world.
Are there other Visa options that could be suitable in the long term?
Not really that I know of, unless
you are old enough to retire - that's 55
you are willing to marry locals to obtain visas
you are prepared to set up a company or become an investor of some sort.
We also recently read an article about a 5-year digital nomad visa, is this really a thing that may happen? (It doesn't seem likely based on some feedback on this thread)
Wouldn't hold my breath or rely on it ...... but would be nice
Finally, with the Social and Cultural visa.... beyond the initial 180 days and assuming it went smoothly, can we extend further at all? What about setting up a business in Bali? (import of goods, baby services (hire/nanny), opening a bar - these kind of businesses...)
Yes once onshore you can (currently) extend onshore without limit seemingly with the blessing of immigration who may enquire after a while if you are working here. As long as you apply for the new one before the existing one expires - all good.
Setting up a business to get a visa is certainly done but its quite convoluted and expensive, you must set up a PT-PMA and inject the appropriate paid up capital to get going. Doing business here can also be quite risky. Something like a bar - hint, theres plenty already - also is unlikely be substantial enough to meet the PT-PMA requirements.
Read something about getting a KITAS via investment which I didnt really look at in detail but jist seemed to be investing in existing businesses or pooliing with other investors say to get a hotel / resort / villa or something and thereby getting a KITAS. Doesn't sound risky at all - lol.
Google "lifestyle business bali"
Finally with the Social and Cultural visa, if my employer allows it, do I have the right to work from Indonesia but be paid in Australia and pay tax in Australia?
Thanks a lot in advance for whoever will pick this up and respond.
So people argue round in circles on this one but I am pretty sure the answer is currently technically no - but there are seemingly plenty of people doing it and they are putting a chunk of money into the economy so it seems to be tolerated. Must add I am not a lawyer in any country let alone this one. I base this on the embassy pages where it directs you to KITAS if you intend to work in Indonesia.
You also hit the grey area of tax ie after 6 months in Indo you are technically liable for tax on your Global income but on social you will not be able to obtain a tax number to pay it regardless.
You may also fall foul of your own countries residence rules, ie cease to be a resident after an amount of time and this can also have consequences.
I see you have met the forum welcome wagon, don't worry he doesnt bite but his bark can be heard all the way from the jungles of the East where he resides/prowls
Hope this helps
We appreciate it!
C & family