Indonesia’s 10-year visa policy fails to attract foreign retirees to Bali

No foreigners have applied for a Second Home Visa through the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali since the program was launched in October last year, the state news agency Antara reported, citing Anggiat Napitupulu, head of immigration in Bali for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

The government’s expectation that foreigners living in Indonesia on retirement visas would quickly migrate to the Second Home Visa has failed to materialize, he added.

There are an estimated 6,000 foreigners living in Bali on retirement visas.

To be eligible for the new visa program, foreigners are required to show proof of funds of 2 billion rupiah ($128,000) or property ownership in Indonesia.

The proof of funds deposited at an Indonesian state-owned bank or property ownership certificates must be presented to officers at the immigration office no later than 90 days after the issuance date of their Second-Home Stay Permit, and applicants are also required to pay a non-tax state revenue charge of 3 million rupiahs.

The region’s largest economy, Indonesia expects to receive 7.4 million international arrivals this year. The country received 3 million foreign tourists last year.