Working in Bali

If you wish to work in Bali, you will be required to have a long-term visa to stay in Indonesia. People who work without permission or with only a tourist visa risk severe penalties ranging from jail to deportation and/or corporal punishment. It is important to be informed about the administrative procedure that you will need to undertake in order to be allowed to work in Indonesia. Several types of visas allow you to seek employment and earn a salary in Indonesia, depending on how long you want to stay, the type of work you will be doing and your professional status.

After being granted long-term residency in Indonesia, you will be able to apply for your right to work. More specifically, in order to be eligible to work in Bali, you must first obtain a work visa or KITAS (Kartu Tanda Tinggal Sementara), which is a temporary residence permit for Indonesia, that requires sponsorship either from a foreign-owned company (PMA), or an Indonesian limited liability company (PT) or from the representative office of a foreign company. The minimum validity of a KITAS is six months and the maximum is 12 months. The administrative fee is approximately USD 1,200 per application (the fee being calculated at USD 100 per month)

Also, note that not all Indonesian limited liability companies are allowed to sponsor a foreign worker. To reverse this, the company must meet specific financial requirements.

You should be aware that Indonesia is a developing country and is constantly adjusting its bureaucracy. For example, with the current government taking the fight against corruption very seriously, even the smallest administrative hiccup can cause a huge delay in any process. So make sure that all your papers and identification documents are valid and in order.

Good to know:

The KITAS (right of residence) from a marriage with an Indonesian spouse does not confer the right to work in Bali, the marriage KITAS and work KITAS being two separate documents. However, a marriage KITAS readily gives you the right to apply for a work permit. As mentioned, it is mandatory to apply for a work permit to work in Bali, even though the process may seem rather tedious and expensive.

In Bali, where many tourists flock, the immigration department is always vigilant about illegal workers. Immigration officers often raid companies to check the validity of the work visas of their foreign employees. Failure to do so results in heavy fines for the company and deportation for the expatriate.

Consequently, fewer and fewer companies are willing to sponsor foreigners unless the person has crucial skills that no Indonesian can produce. The sponsorship process is not only expensive but can also put the company at risk if something goes wrong.

It is highly recommended to first find a job in Bali before moving in. It is worth mentioning that a job offer open to expatriates in traditional media such as newspapers, radio or television is a very rare commodity. However, be aware that even if you do come across an ad, the recruitment process can take several months.

That is why most expatriates in Bali prefer to browse through specialized online job boards. For example, you can check our list of available jobs in Bali. Other websites that post jobs for English-speaking professionals include Glassdoor, JobStreet, LinkedIn and oneworld 365, to name a few.

If you do not have time to do your job search yourself or if you feel lost in the administrative paperwork required beforehand, you can choose to hire an immigration agent. They will take care of all the paperwork for you and should generally be able to provide you with a list of potential jobs that match your professional skills, salary expectations and requirements.

Sectors that are recruiting in Bali

Around 80% of Bali's economy is based on tourism. The island has one of the highest densities of spas in the world (about 1,200), which makes it easier for foreigners to find jobs in this sector, usually in high-level positions (hotel management, executive chefs, etc.). Several agencies offer such services in Bali, such as letsmoveindonesia.com or permitindo.com. This will cost you more, of course, but you will save yourself a lot of administrative hassle compared to doing it yourself.

You can also work as an English teacher without necessarily stepping on the toes of local teachers. Applicants for this type of job are welcome in kindergartens, high schools and universities. Salaries can vary depending on the job seeker's qualifications and the hiring institution. For example, an international school will pay more than a foreign language center.

Bali is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for expatriates to teach yoga, scuba diving, and surfing, especially if you have the necessary qualifications and skills. Ubud, the spiritual wellness capital of Bali, is the ideal place to be an instructor, while Nusa Penida and its wild currents are perfect for diving professionals. With Bali being considered the surfing capital of the world, there are many surf camps across the island. These establishments offer room and board to tourists who want to learn to surf, as well as lessons for different levels and transportation to the many local surf spots.

Some of the most popular jobs for foreigners in Bali are:

• scuba diving instructor,
• foreign language teachers,
• various restaurant and hotel jobs,
• construction managers,
• yoga instructor,
• various jobs in the art sector,
• entrepreneurship (with start-up founders).

Important:

As a job applicant, always ensure that your potential employer applies for the work visa that you are qualified for.

The fastest and safest way to obtain a work visa is to start your own business in Bali, which allows you to sponsor your work visa. Many expats choose this route by opening a restaurant or an import-export business. In return, be prepared to invest a lot of time and money. If possible, enter into a local partnership or seek help from the Balinese people, as this should make things much easier, especially for administrative tasks. However, be sure to partner up or use people you trust.

If you are a digital nomad, there is good news. Bali is also riding the new technology and start-up wave. As a result, many coworking spaces have sprung up there, offering good service. Because they're so busy and popular, it's best to book these spaces online well in advance.

There are some conditions attached to being a digital nomad in Indonesia. For example, you will not be allowed to work for local companies or receive commissions from companies related to Indonesia. Your clients must be from other countries and have no interest or investment in Bali. That's why only freelancers who have a strong international network before emigrating and are already well established financially can live well in Bali. If you want to start in Bali, make sure you secure a solid client base that will provide you with a regular, decent income before you begin.

How to find a job in Bali?

Bali is a relatively small destination, perfect for networking and taking action quickly. Be active by registering on expat job boards and joining communities and forums specific to your field on social networks such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Remember to read our article on networking in Bali. Balinese customs and traditions are sometimes very particular, and you might offend some people without meaning to if you are not familiar with some local practices.

In addition, reach out to festival and event organizers and start making contacts in your chosen industry. For example, if you are a yoga teacher, attend the Bali Spirit Festival or email the organizers to learn more about the local yoga scene.

Once on the island, do not hesitate to submit your CV directly to companies or upload it to job websites in Bali.

Also, note that many international hotel chains tend to hire internally. If you are in the industry and work for a chain with a presence in Bali, why not request an in-house transfer? Many expatriates in Bali work for international chains such as Club Med, Radisson Blu, Intercontinental and others. Most of them have applied for a transfer to work for a few years on the island of the Gods.

If you are a teacher, contact international schools in Bali. And if you're interested in teaching English as a foreign language, sign up on teaching forums such as Dave's ESL Cafe, or apply to language schools such as English First.

Wages in Bali

Salaries vary depending on the industry. An expatriate working in a leading industry such as Oil and Gas Company can earn between IDR 50 million (USD 2,950) and IDR 100 million (USD 5,950) per month; otherwise, one should expect average salaries to range between IDR 10 million and IDR 38 million (USD 600 to 2,250).

An executive chef or hotel manager can earn a salary of around USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 per month. However, finding a job in this sector can be time-consuming due to the sheer competition.

Work culture in Bali

The work environment in Bali varies from company to company, but in general, it is closely linked to the island's overall culture, which places great importance on age and community hierarchy.

In terms of interactions between senior and junior employees, Balinese are more laid-back in this regard, although, as a general rule, you should always respect elderly workers. In the workplace, seniority is mostly determined by age rather than work achievements and actual position. So, even if you have a higher position than most of your colleagues, it is always advisable to be polite in your interactions to avoid being socially shunned.

Greetings in Bali

The general rules of polite interaction apply. Always smile (Indonesians have a weakness for smiling people), say a greeting when coming to work (a simple Selamat Pagi/Good Morning would capture your Indonesian colleagues in an instant), and always address your colleagues, especially the ones who are older than you, with honorific prefixes.

These are some of the magic words that should be in your dictionary:

Greetings

• Good morning: Selamat pagi
• Good afternoon: Selamat Siang
• Goodnight: Selamat Malam
• Thank you: Terima kasih or Suksma in Balinese
• Please: Tolong – “Bisa tolong bantu saya?” - Could you please help me?

Honorific prefix

• Sir: Pak (To address old(er) men).
• Mam/madam: Ibu/Bu (To address old(er) or married women).
• Miss: Mba or Mbo in the Balinese language (To address young unmarried women. If you are unsure if a woman is married or not, it is safer to address her as Ibu)
• Young man: Mas or Bli in the Balinese language.

Especially in a formal work meeting, it is advisable to address your colleagues with the honorifics Pak (men) and Ibu (women), regardless of their age or marital status. In addition to being formal, it also implies that you respect their capabilities and contributions to the company. For example: “Ibu Wati, will help me in this project.”

There are also lots of foreign-owned and multinational companies and hotel chains in Bali. They generally have a more liberal culture, as in the West. In some companies, you may casually call your boss or coworker by name, although you will always get an extra brownie point to be polite by addressing colleagues with honorific titles as above.

The workplace dress code in Bali

Regarding the professional dress code, the style differs distinctly from one company to another. In a country where politeness is a virtue, the dress code in most companies follows the same order. If you are working in the hospitality sector or in a formal institution like a bank or university, do not picture yourself going to work in flip-flops, short pants, and a torn t-shirt just because you are in Bali.

Unless you are working for a lifestyle brand that carries such a dress code, employees are still going to work in formal clothing. While wearing a power suit to the office is rarely seen in Bali (due to the warm climate), wear something proper to go to work. For men, it can be a button-up shirt and long pants (short pants are considered impolite in a formal workplace setting). For women, a modest blouse that covers the cleavage and shoulders with pants or a modest skirt can do.

Recently, th e government dictated a special compulsory dress code to promote the preservation of local culture in the workplace. Every Thursday, all employees in Bali are required to wear traditional Balinese clothes that include a Kebaya for women and Udeng (Balinese traditional headgear) and a sarong for men. Although foreigners are not strictly required to follow this rule, it can be a fun experience for you to follow as an expat. There is a special allure in seeing Balinese women in Kebaya and its men in Udeng that exudes enchanting Balinese charm.

However, with the emergence of start-up culture and the rising phenomenon of digital nomads flocking to Bali, going to work in Bali in a singlet and flip-flops is not entirely a myth. Many start-up companies employ a more casual approach when it comes to dressing up to work. Some companies allow their employees to wear a t-shirt; others even allow women employees to wear a tank top and short pants to work. And if you are a digital nomad working remotely from a coworking space, you are always welcome to dress however you like.

Professional behavior in Bali

In Bali and Indonesia, interactions with colleagues often extend beyond working hours. This may come as quite a shock for people who originated from strict Western countries, like in Europe, where the workplace is often seen as a place to work, not to build friendships or any other personal relationships.

In Indonesia, your work colleagues often become your closest friends and immediate support system. As an expat, your colleagues can be your ultimate treasure in navigating the challenges of moving to a foreign country. They are generally kind and always ready to help with the practical things of settling into life in this foreign land. They can provide sound advice in finding a good “kos” (boarding room), renting a motorbike or finding those only-local-knows eateries.

Socializing at work in Bali

And how to make friends with your colleagues as an expat? One word: Food.

Food is the glue that binds people together in Bali. While it is rare for colleagues to go have a drink together, they often have a meal together.

Do mingle with your coworkers during lunch. Get involved. Indonesians and Balinese are generally a communal society, and they like to do things together. For example, it is common for coworkers to have lunch together. Or they may order food for delivery together. Make an effort to join this group activity. This often extends to group dinners as well. It is never mandatory unless the company requires it, but it is a way to be included in your colleagues' inner circle.

Balinese people treat colleagues as close friends and often share their personal problems with them over lunch. It is distinctly different from the Western norm, which often sees private and professional life as two separate worlds.

Companies also often have regular bonding time together. This ranges from going to the cinema together, bowling, karaoke, or having a company outing. Every month or so, most companies arrange a company dinner to celebrate milestones, achievements, and as a way for the company to appreciate its employees.

It is good for company morale that everyone is being included. If you are a manager working for a company in Bali, you would soon encounter employees resigning from work, not because of the salary or workload, but merely because they are not comfortable with their work environment. After all, Indonesians consider their office as a second family. Thus, this aspect is crucial to building team cohesion.