Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Bali with Family

Who wouldn’t want to live on a little tropical island where the sun always shines? Moving to Bali with family is becoming viable and gives you a spiritual feeling.

The island is home to stunning rice terraces, river valleys, beautiful beaches, and a rich, exotic, almost enchanting culture. Yet, there are also modern towns with plenty of urban cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls with entertainment facilities such as cinemas. Moving and relocating to Bali will feel like heaven.

There are playgrounds for kids and international schools, making it a great place to relocate for families with kids of all ages.

Yes, it sounds ideal, but how about the paperwork? What do you need to arrange everything? Which visa is required? We are here to help and answer those questions for you.

Is Bali a Good Place to Live with Family? 

Yes, absolutely! Migrating to Bali provides an excellent place to live with children, offering a family-friendly environment and a warm, welcoming community. With its natural beauty, rich culture, and numerous activities and attractions, Bali is ideal for families seeking a unique and enriching lifestyle.

Which Part of Bali is the Best for Family?

Bali offers several excellent areas for families, each with its distinct atmosphere and benefits.

Some of the most popular family-friendly spots in Bali are Canggu, Ubud, and Sanur. Canggu is great for families who love the beach and a laid-back vibe, while Ubud is ideal for those who enjoy nature and a more tranquil pace.

Sanur is well-suited for families seeking a quieter, more residential area with convenient access to amenities and activities.

Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Bali with Family

Bali offers several excellent areas for families, each with its distinct atmosphere and benefits.

Living Cost

Bali is a sought-after destination for those looking for an affordable lifestyle. Living expenses in Bali are generally lower than in many Western countries, making it appealing for families.

The cost of living in Bali can vary based on accommodation, transportation, food, schooling, and activities. Generally, a family of four can comfortably live on a budget of around $2,000 to $3,000 monthly. 

Transportation

Families in Bali have several transportation options. Scooters are popular due to their convenience and low cost, but renting a car might be safer and more practical for families with children. 

Renting a car in Bali is budget-friendly and allows you to explore the island at your own pace. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek are also available for occasional trips, providing reliable and convenient transportation options.

Although public transportation is limited, the Kura-Kura Bus service provides routes to popular tourist areas like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud.

Schooling

Bali offers a variety of schooling options for families. Local Indonesian schools follow the national curriculum and provide an immersive cultural experience, though language barriers may be challenging. 

International schools, popular among expat families, provide a more familiar educational environment. They often follow British, American, or Australian curricula. 

Activities

Bali is a paradise for families seeking adventure and cultural experiences. The island’s beaches, clear waters, and stunning landscapes offer various activities for all ages. 

Water sports like surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling are popular along the coastline. At the same time, land-based activities such as trekking, mountain biking, and quad biking provide thrilling experiences with breathtaking views. 

Bali’s rich culture also offers opportunities to explore Balinese art, dance, and crafts.

Medical Care

Access to quality medical care is important when moving to Bali with your family. The island has increasing private clinics and hospitals catering to locals and expats. 

While the quality of care may vary, facilities such as BIMC Hospital and Siloam Hospitals provide international standards of care. Treatment for more complex medical conditions may be necessary in larger cities like Jakarta or neighboring countries like Singapore.

What Visa Do You Need to Move to Bali with Family?

What visa you need depends on several things. Are you starting a business? Are you going to work for a company or are you going to be working from home for a business located abroad? One thing is for sure, you can’t just move here and start working, you will need a work permit. Here’s what you can do:

Get a Company to Sponsor Your Moving to Bali

Getting a company to sponsor you for a stay and work permit (KITAS/ITAS & RPTKA) is not easy. It requires quite some paperwork, time, and money.

You can’t apply for just any job; you need to be highly qualified for the position. Not just any company can sponsor you; they need to have the legal documents to hire a foreigner.

This way, the government of Indonesia protects and secures jobs for the locals. The following rules apply for obtaining a work permit:

• You are allowed to work once your work permit is done. (takes at least two months)
• The applicant needs to be between 25 and 50 years old. (55 years old and above can apply for retirement KITAS/ITAS)
• Processing the KITAS/ITAS can only start when all the documents are complete.
• The minimal capital or value of the sponsoring company is 1 billion rupiah
• Family members must get a family stay permit: KITAS/ITAS keluarga.

Once the paperwork is done, you must go to an Indonesian Embassy outside the country and officially apply for the work visa.

If you are not traveling back home, Singapore is the best option. Your KITAS/ITAS is valid for six months or one year before it needs to be extended.

After three years, you can apply for a KITAP/ITAP, which allows you to stay for five years without having to extend. Your family will stay in Indonesia on a family KITAS/ITAS, known as KITAS/ITAS Keluarga.

The company sponsoring you will apply for these stay permits, which are used with your own KITAS/ITAS. Please note that you cannot work on a KITAS/ITAS Keluarga.

Start Your Own Business

To start your own business in Bali, you will need to legally set up a company, open a local bank account, deposit USD 10,000, and apply for a stay and work permit. Your investment plan needs to be for 10 billion rupiahs, and the minimum capital amount is 2.5 billion.

Again, as you apply for your KITAS/ITAS and RPTKA, you must also arrange KITAS/ITAS for your partner and kids. They will get a KITAS/ITAS Keluarga, which allows them to stay and leave the country as they like, but it does not allow them to work.

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Get a Social Visa or a Multiple Entry Business Visa

Social Visa

If you are only planning to live in Bali and are not working for or earning money from an Indonesian company, you won’t be able to get a KITAS/ITAS unless you are either retired or married to an Indonesian.

You can get a social visa that allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months. After six months, you must exit the country and apply for a new visa. 

Do not try working on this visa; you risk a huge fine and deportation.

However, a social visa can be helpful if you are exploring options for starting a business in Bali. You can get a good feel for living here on the island and see if you and your beloved family want to go through it.

Business Visa

You can also get a multiple-entry Business Visa. This visa is valid for one year and allows you to enter the country as many times as you like. The only downside is that you will have to leave the country at least once every 60 days. A local company will have to sponsor you to get your business visa done, which will take approximately one week.

On a business visa, you are also not allowed to work or earn money in Indonesia, and you won’t enjoy the benefits of having a KITAS/ITAS, such as opening an Indonesian bank account, getting a local driver’s license, and receiving discounts on entry fees.

Moving to Bali with Family with InCorp

Settling down in Bali, far from home, can be overwhelming. The rules can be confusing sometimes, especially considering they change pretty often, and the paperwork can raise too many questions that need answers.

At InCorp, we have experts ready to jump in and help, assisting where needed, advising, and helping with practical things useful when planning to stay in Bali for a more extended period with your family. Here are some examples of things we can help you with:

Getting the Right Visa for You and Your Family in Bali

No matter which visa would be best for you at this stage and/or the next, we can help you obtain it, saving you lots of hassle, confusion, and time. We can sponsor you for a social visa or a business visa and help you obtain the KITAS/ITAS and RPTKA you need to start your own business.

Opening a Bank Account

Owning an Indonesian bank account can be handy as overseas transactions and money withdrawals in foreign countries are expensive. It also makes life a whole lot easier, allowing you to pay for your local insurance, electricity, flight tickets, and so on.

Most banks require a KITAS/ITAS to open an account, but exceptions are made with a local reference, such as InCorp. You can also open a bank account in USD or other foreign currencies.

Health Insurance

Good health insurance is vital, especially when moving to Bali with kids under your care. Once you have obtained a KITAS/ITAS for yourself and your family, you have to register at BPJS Health, a governmental institution.

Everyone who has resided in Indonesia for more than six months is obliged to register. You or your company will pay a monthly fee, entitling you to primary healthcare at local clinics. When needed, these clinics will refer you to the hospital. Employers must register their employees and resident family members.

Those living in Indonesia but not working can register online. To be safe, get expat insurance on top of the BPJS or high-quality travel insurance.

Yes, these expat insurance policies are expensive, but you can have peace of mind that you are safe and entitled to the best healthcare for you, your partner, and your kids.

Are you moving to Bali with a family? Let us know, and we will assist you. Use the form below to send us a message.