Local authorities are forming a special task force to track down those working without a legal permit in Bali due to a growing number of expatriates doing so. The announcement comes at a time when the online conversation has been growing. Public awareness of the problem appears to have increased thanks to prominent personalities like Ni Luh Djelantik and a public service social media account like @moscow cabang bali on Instagram.
According to Tjok Bagus Pemayun, head of the provincial tourism office, a special task force is being formed to address the problem, who spoke to the media on Monday, 27th February. They will put much effort into taking action against foreigners working without a legal permit in Bali. He said, “we have the local cops (Saptoll PP), the Manpower, Energy and Mineral Resources Office, the Industry and Trade Office for the permitting aspect, and the complete police apparatus in the task force.”
Although the task force will address any instances of foreigners working without a legal permit in Bali, Russian nationals are the focus in particular. There has been an increase in Russian immigrants arriving in Bali since the war started. Despite the conflicting opinions, netizens and officials agree that foreigners engaging in activities that violate their visa conditions, such as staying without a legal permit, must be stopped.
Since the regulation is getting so strict to the point where the authorities conduct a special force to tackle this issue, it is crucial to choose your visa wisely and respect the terms of your visa. Several types of visas would grant you a legal permit to legally operate a business in Bali. One of those is the Investor Visa/Investor KITAS
The Investor KITAS is a visa created especially for foreign business investors in Indonesia as a legal permit that enables them to reside and conduct business here. This visa is considered one of the most popular ones. Since this one is intended specifically for business owners
To be qualified for the Investor KITAS, the investor must invest at least IDR 1.125 billion in business shares. In addition, an investor who is also a director of the company they wish to engage in is only needed to invest IDR 1 billion.
Upon obtaining the Nomor Induk Berusaha (NIB) and business licenses (Izin Usaha), a newly formed company can sponsor your Investment KITAS. You must register for all required licenses using the Online Single Submission system (OSS) for existing companies.
Learn more about this visa as your legal permit here.
However, the investor visa is intended for business owners working to generate income from within Indonesia or work ‘on the ground’ or in person in any capacity. Using this visa is illegal. This includes offering yoga classes, photographic services, in-person life counselling, surf lessons, marketing goods, subletting rental properties, tour guiding, and babysitting. Foreigners must obtain the necessary work and/or company legal permits to engage in these types of work or business operations.
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