Say goodbye to suburbia, move to a tropical island and spend your golden years sipping coconuts by the pool in your luxury villa or condo complex.
A beach walk in the morning. Siesta and a cheap massage in the afternoon. Eating at restaurants seven nights a week.
That’s the dream turned reality for an estimated 14,000 Australian retirees living in Bali, primarily in the touristic south, where private hospitals, Western supermarkets and cheap bars and cafes offer all the conveniences of home — minus the monotony and financial stress.
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Much like Australia, Indonesia has strict and complex immigration laws and getting your head around them can be overwhelming. When I searched for “retirement” at the official website of the Directorate General of Immigration of the Republic in Indonesia, I got zero results, while a Google search for “retire in Indonesia” came up with scores of websites of Indonesian visa agents that offered conflicting advice and information.
To get a clearer picture of the rules and how to apply for an Indonesian retirement visa, I spoke with Michael Lenihan, the Australian founder of Gateway Consulting, a Bali-based firm that helps foreign investment companies set up shop in Indonesia.
Dave: What are the minimum criteria you need to meet to apply for a retirement visa in Indonesia?
Michael: To start you need to be at least 55 years old, and you need proof you can financially support yourself, at least $US1500 ($2300) in the bank and an income of around $US1500 to $US2000 per month. You also need proof of health insurance; there are local insurance providers that cater specifically to retirees, though a policy with an international insurance policy is also acceptable. You also need to prove you have somewhere to stay, a valid lease agreement or title deeds on a property, and supply a criminal background check as well as a health certificate from your GP that says you are fit to travel and live abroad. Finally, you need a sponsorship letter from someone in Indonesia. You need to submit all those documents, fill out an application, pay the fee and send them as a bundle to an Indonesian consulate or the embassy in Canberra.
Dave: It sounds quite complicated. And from what I saw, Indonesian government websites aren’t very user-friendly either. Do people usually apply for visas on their own?
Michael: No. In my experience, people tend to use government websites as pathways for information and use a credible visa agent in Indonesia to help them submit their application.
Dave: There are hundreds of visa agents listed online. How to know if they’re credible or dodgy?
Michael: I’d say word of mouth, recommendations from someone who’s already gone through the process, or reviews on social media. Most foreigners choose agencies that also have foreigners on staff, not because they don’t trust Indonesians, but because it’s easier to work with someone with the same cultural alignment as you or who speaks English as a first language.
Dave: The word “kitas” constantly popped up during my search. What is a “kitas”? Is it the same as a retirement visa or is it something else?
Michael It’s an acronym for a stay permit that needs to be approved by immigration authorities for any temporary or long-term stay in Indonesia. It’s just a word, nothing to worry about — any visa agent worth their salt will get you a kitas.
Dave: Is it true you can only get a retirement visa for five years in Indonesia?
Michael: Yes but the regulatory framework in Indonesia is continuously changing and improving and there are always different opportunities for visa extensions. There are Australians who have lived in Bali for 40 or 50 years and they’re still rotating or renewing their visas today.
