Business Visa for Bali: Common Questions Travelers Always Ask

When it comes to getting the right visa to do business or work in Bali, you will hear foreigners talk a lot about work visa and business visa. It can be confusing, especially for new expats who are ready to visit Bali for work or business activities.

So is business visa the right visa you need? InCorp (an Ascentium Company) has put together an easy questions-and-answers guide for you to better understand about business visa in Bali, and you should be able to decide if this is the one you need.

Business Visa in Bali: Answers to Your Questions

What exactly is a business visa in Bali?

A business visa in Bali is designed for individuals who visit Bali for no more than 60 days. As the name implies, this visa is for business purposes or activities. However, these business activities shall not generate any income. Business activities allowed include include attending seminars, meetings, training, workshops, inspection and audit, conferences, non-profit organisation (NGO) events, etc.

A business visa must be sponsored by a legal entity or organisation in Bali and once again you are prohibited to be employed with this type of visa. InCorp is able to serve as your visa sponsor.

Business Visa Vs. Work Visa (KITAS)

Aspect	Business Visa	Work Visa (KITAS)
Allowed Activities	Meetings, training, or conferences	Full-time of part-time employment
Income	Not allowed to receive income	Allowed to receive income from employer
Sponsorship	Local company or organization	Indonesia company that hires you
Government Authority	Issued by immigration only	Ministry of Manpower & Immigration
Stay Duration	Up to 60 days per visit (extendable or multiple-entry up to 12 months)	6–12 months (renewable)
Employment Contract	Not required	Required

So far InCorp has had many clients that confuse business visa for a work permit. They are not the same thing. A work permit allows expats to work and become salaried employees in Bali.

On the other hand, a business visa is granted to foreigners for non-profit business purposes only. It is against the Indonesian Law if you use a business visa to participate in activities that earn you income. More detailed differences are as follows:

1. Purpose and Legal Basis

A business visa is designed exclusively for short-term and non-revenue generating activities for foreigners, while a work visa (KITAS) or Limited Stay Permit is intended for foreign employees who are legally hired by an Indonesian entity. KITAS allows holders to live and work in Indonesia for an extended period of 6-12 months, extendable.

2. Sponsorship Requirements

A Business Visa must be sponsored by a registered Indonesian company or organization but does not require approval from the Ministry of Manpower. Unlike business visa, KITAS requires:

• A formal employment contract with an Indonesian employer.
• Approval from the Ministry of Manpower before issuance by Immigration.
  The sponsoring company must also demonstrate compliance with expatriate employment rules, such as the Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing (RPTKA) — a Foreign Worker Utilization Plan.

3. Duration and Flexibility

• Business Visa: Short-term validity, either 60 days per visit (single-entry) or up to 12 months (multiple-entry, with each stay limited to 60 days).
• Work Visa (KITAS): Long-term validity of 6 months, 12 months, or 24 months depending on the work contract and position.

4. Income and Employment Rights

• Business Visa holders are not permitted to receive payment or perform tasks that constitute employment in Indonesia.
• KITAS holders may legally receive a salary, benefits, and allowances from the Indonesian company sponsoring their stay. They can also open local bank accounts, obtain a taxpayer identification number (NPWP), and register for BPJS (social security).

Regarding process, requirements and timeline, is there a difference between a business visa and a work permit?

Yes, there is. A business visa in Bali needs fewer documents for application. If you want to apply for a work permit, you will need to go through more paperwork and more complex procedure than applying for a business visa.

As for timeline difference, a work permit takes a lengthy 55 days to process and a business visa only takes 5 working days. A business visa process is even made simpler through the online application system.

How many types of business visa are there in Bali?

Depending on your travel frequency and duration, there are three main categories of business visas available for business travelers to Indonesia:

1. Visa on Arrival (VoA)

A Visa on Arrival is suitable for short business visits of up to 30 days.

• Extension: You may extend it once, for another 30 days, through the nearest Immigration Office in Indonesia.
• Requirements: A passport valid for at least six (6) months and a confirmed return ticket are mandatory.
• Purpose: Ideal for quick business trips such as attending a meeting, conference, or signing a partnership agreement.

2. Single-Entry Business Visa

A Single-Entry Business Visa allows you to stay in Indonesia for up to 60 days.

• Application: This visa must be applied for before arrival, through the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
• Extension: You can extend it up to five times, each for 30 days, through local Immigration Authorities.
• Restriction: Once you leave Indonesia, the visa becomes void — you must apply for a new one if you plan to return.
• Best For: Entrepreneurs or consultants who need to stay longer for meetings, due diligence, or market research projects.

3. Multiple-Entry Business Visa

A Multiple-Entry Business Visa is valid for up to 12 months and is issued by the Indonesian Immigration Office.

• Best For: Frequent business travelers, corporate representatives, and investors with ongoing operations or partnerships in Indonesia.
• Flexibility: It allows unlimited entries and exits within its 12-month validity period.
• Stay Limit: Each stay cannot exceed 60 days per entry.

READ MORE:

• Indonesia Shared Good News About Multiple Entry Business Visa
• The Importance of Stakeholders in Business: A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Apply for a Multiple Entry Business Visa in Bali, Indonesia?

Who is eligible for a business visa?

We have mentioned that business visa process requirements have been made easier and more convenient for foreigners in Bali as part of the efforts by the government to boost foreign investments in all regions in Indonesia. This visa type is suitable for:

• Business representatives and company executives
• Investors and entrepreneurs exploring opportunities
• Consultants, trainers, or auditors on short visits
• NGO members or participants attending non-profit events

Almost all foreigners are able to meet the criteria without a lot of issues. However, foreigners need to be aware that certain countries are restricted to apply for a business visa.

Therefore, if you are from one of the restricted countries, your business visa application may be rejected. For an updated list of countries that are prohibited for business visa application, please contact InCorp.

How can I apply for my business visa online?

Not only can InCorp serve as your business visa sponsor, but we can also take care of your online application of business visa in Bali. We highly recommend our clients and other foreigners to make use of our convenient system.

The reason is obvious: the online procedure is simple and all you need to do is to fill out your personal information and complete these documents:

• Valid passport for at least 6 months prior to your entry date.
• Passport size picture
• Copy of round-trip or onward travel ticket
• Your sponsor’s details, including business visa cover letter and invitation from your sponsors.

Online application prevents you from committing minor blunders that would happen in manual application such as typos in information, wrong photo background colour, etc. These mistakes might seem minor, but they will eventually jeopardise your application.

Business Visa Bali Application with InCorp

Feel free to fill in the form below in case you require further assistance with your business visa application.

If you need other visas and want to know more about the requirements and procedures, you are also welcome to get in touch with us. Or, visit our offices in Jakarta, Bali and Semarang.