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Expats will need to know the correct visa type for their trip, secure health insurance, and more to successfully make the move to Bali from the USA. Moving to Bali is rewarding to many Americans due to Bali’s low cost of living and beautiful climate.
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Are you ready to make the move to Bali? You’ll want to know all the latest information about visa types, health insurance for the island, and more. In this guide, we’ll answer all your questions and more.
We will explain the visa types available for expats moving from the USA, health insurance for Bali, housing tips, and more. Keep reading to find out more about Bali, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Why Expats are Moving to Bali from the USA
Expats are moving to Bali from the USA due to the low cost of living, the friendly locals and expat communities, and the beautiful climate and surroundings. Bali holds many attractive qualities for globetrotters and frequently draws in digital nomads and retirees.
Food, rent, transportation, and medicine are all significantly cheaper in Bali than in the USA, which makes the appeal of Bali even stronger for many US citizens. Bali has become a hub for free-spirited individuals looking for ways to enjoy a slower paced lifestyle and tropical surroundings.
How Expats Can Move to Bali from the USA
Expats can move to Bali by finding accommodation in Bali, applying for the right visa type, and securing health insurance. Once they’ve applied for and received their visa, they can enter the country with their belongings and make their official relocation.
We will cover more of these steps in the following sections below.
Step One: Find Housing in Bali
USA expats can find housing in Bali through short-term rentals like apartments, condominiums, or villas. Foreigners cannot own land or property in Bali, so renting is the best option for expats. You can find rentals through online websites, real estate agents, or by asking in expat communities.
When searching for housing in Bali, you may want to look in popular areas for expats, like Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak. These neighborhoods have a variety of housing options available, ranging from less expensive to luxurious stays.
Once you’ve secured a leasing contract for a place in Bali, you can use it as proof of accommodation when applying for your visa or temporary stay permit in Bali. If you want to read more about where to live in Bali, check out our article below:
Step Two: Secure a Visa for Bali
USA expats moving to Bali have various visa options to choose from depending on their needs, such as the C1 tourist visa. Expats looking to move to Bali for only a few months can also simply apply for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) for Bali.
The best visa for your time in Bali will depend on your circumstances, how long you plan to stay in Bali, and what you plan to do there. The most common visas foreigners apply for to enter Bali include the following:
- Visa On Arrival: A Visa On Arrival (VOA) can be purchased when entering Bali through the international airports. These visas last 30 days, with the option to extend another 30 days once.
- C1 Visa: The C1 tourist visa allows expats to stay in Bali for 60 days initially, with the option to extend their stay up to 180 days. Expats using this visa cannot work while in Indonesia. Remote workers employed by companies outside of Indonesia often use this visa.
The documents you need for your visa will depend on the type you are applying for, but generally, you will need the following:
- Valid passport with two blank pages
- Passport-sized photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds
KITAS Residency Permits in Bali for US Expats
Once you are granted a visa to allow entry into Bali, you can convert your visa into a KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas), which is Indonesian for a limited stay permit card.
A KITAS is a permit that allows foreigners to live in Bali for more than six months, and possibly up to 1 or 2 years, depending on the type of KITAS. You will need a KITAS to work or retire in Bali.
- Work KITAS: Expats looking to work in Bali can do so with a work KITAS. To secure a work KITAS, you’ll need to be employed by a company located within or registered within Indonesia. The length of this stay permit can vary between six and 12 months, depending on your job and title.
- Retirement KITAS: Foreigners over 55 years can retire in Bali with a retirement KITAS. A retirement KITAS can last for around one to five years. Retirees must also provide proof of appropriate funds for their stay.
A KITAS can be transferred into a KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap), which is a permanent stay permit card in Bali. A KITAP can allow you to stay for up to five years at a time.
Step Three: Secure Health Insurance for Bali
US expats in Bali should secure private health insurance to protect themselves against unexpected accidents or illness. While private health insurance coverage is not mandatory for expats to move to Bali, it is highly recommended.
Expats can purchase travel medical insurance or international health insurance. They can also choose between local or international health insurance providers. Most insurance experts would recommend US expats choose an international health insurance plan from an international provider.
International health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Bali and grant US expats access to private hospitals and clinics. The global coverage also makes it portable to surrounding countries, like Singapore or Malaysia.
Some expats on certain visas may qualify for Bali’s public health insurance, BPJS Kesehatan. This public health insurance can cover basic treatment and emergency care in public hospitals. Many expats choose to purchase private health insurance instead or as supplemental coverage.
For more information on the travel medical insurance for Bali, check out our A Guide to Getting the Best Travel Insurance in Bali.
Building a Life in Bali as an Expat from the USA
Expats from the USA can build a life in Bali by learning Indonesian, connecting with other expats, and engaging in local cultural activities. By staying proactive and openminded, expats in Bali can integrate more fully and enjoy their experience on the island.
- Learn Indonesian: While plenty of English-speaking foreigners reside in Bali, learning Indonesian is an invaluable part of integrating into your new home. By learning Indonesian, you can converse more easily with locals and find your way around Bali more easily.
- Connect with Other Expats: Bali is a hub for digital nomads, retirees, and other globetrotters, which can make connecting with other expats easy. By networking in your local expat communities and online expat communities and making friends, you can build a support system for yourself in Bali.
- Engage in Local Cultural Activities: Expats in Bali should engage in local cultural events and activities to strengthen their understanding and appreciation for Balinese traditions and customs. Some activities to try include temple ceremonies and festivals, and balinese dance or cooking classes.
Common Challenges When Moving to Bali from the USA
Some common challenges that expats may face when moving to Bali from the USA include long and bureaucratic visa and residency processes, traffic issues, and adapting to the weather.
- Bureaucratic Visa and Residency Processes: The visa and residency permit process can be long and arduous, with long lists of requirements and specific documentation needs. Enlisting the help of an immigration lawyer can be a valuable asset for many expats.
- Traffic Issues: Traffic in Bali can be congested and undisciplined, with traffic signals either broken or ignored by those on the road. Pushcarts, pedicabs, and motorcycles share the road with cars, and accidents happen frequently. Buses are also known to travel at high and dangerous speeds.
- Adapting to Weather: Foreigners from cool and dry climates may have trouble adjusting to Bali’s weather conditions. Weather in Bali is hot and humid, with a heavy rain season from October to March. Rainy seasons can bring risks of flooding and increased mosquito activity.
Before your move to Bali, take your time weighing these cons next to the pros of the country. While Bali generally comes highly recommended for global travelers, it may not be the right fit for every US expat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it difficult to get a visa to Bali?
Securing a visa for Bali is not difficult if you ensure you have all the necessary documentation and apply in advance. The process can get more difficult if you have missing or incorrect documents, or if you wait until the last minute to send in your visa application.
Is the cost of living cheaper in Bali than in the US?
The cost of living is significantly cheaper in Bali than in the US. It is reportedly around 41.6% cheaper to live in Bali than the US. Transportation, rent, food, and utilities are all cheaper in Bali than in the US, which has one of the highest costs of living in the world.
Does Bali have high-quality healthcare facilities?
Bali’s private sector has more high-quality healthcare facilities than the public sector. Private hospitals and clinics found in urban areas of Bali offer modern amenities and a variety of specialities to locals and expats.
Am I required to have health insurance to move to Bali?
While health insurance is not a requirement for entry to Bali, it is highly recommended to foreigners moving to the area. Medical bills have the potential to be very high for unexpected accidents or illnesses, and expats should be prepared for the worst.
Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now
Moving to Bali from the USA is possible by securing the correct visa, fulfilling all entry requirements, and finding a place to live. By following each step carefully in the process, expats are more likely to experience a hassle-free relocation to Indonesia.
Are you ready to begin shopping for health insurance for Bali? Let the insurance experts at Pacific Prime help you find the right fit for you. As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Bali health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other articles on similar topics like Customs Declaration for Bali: A U.S. Traveler’s Guide, and Health & Medical Insurance in Bali: What Expats from the U.S. Need to Know.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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