For years, high-net-worth individuals and every serious investor in Bali faced a fragmented immigration landscape, often juggling short-term permits or annual KITAS renewals that offered little long-term security. This uncertainty was a significant friction point for those wanting to commit substantial capital to the archipelago. In response, the government of Indonesia has fundamentally restructured its residency framework with the full rollout of the Indonesia Golden Visa, a premium immigration channel designed to compete with similar programs in the UAE and Singapore.
This new policy is not merely a travel document; it is a comprehensive 5 to 10-year residency package that bundles entry rights, a long-term stay permit, and re-entry privileges into a single, streamlined regime. Anchored in Permenkumham No. 22/2023 and fully operational in 2026, this policy targets “quality investors” by exchanging significant economic contributions for unparalleled ease of movement. Whether you are purchasing government bonds or establishing a massive corporate headquarters, this Elite Residency Program signals a shift from bureaucratic hurdles to a “red carpet” welcome for Global Talent and Investment.
However, the prestige of this new Strategic Investment Visa comes with strict financial maintenance obligations that differ vastly from standard permits. Unlike the older investor KITAS which focused on authorized capital, this new scheme requires proof of direct funds placement ranging from USD 350,000 to USD 50 million depending on the category. Understanding these tiers is critical for any investor in Bali. For those navigating the complex tax implications of such large capital movements, consulting a trusted tax management company is essential to ensure your reporting aligns with your new residency status and your specific stay permit conditions under the immigration law.
Table of Contents
- Legal Basis and Policy Objectives
- Individual Investor Routes: Portfolio vs Company
- Corporate Investor Pathways
- Global Talent and Strategic Figures
- Real Story: From Digital Nomad to Bond Investor
- Application Process and Government Fees
- The 90-Day Realization Rule
- Compliance Duties, Risks, and Penalties
- FAQ's about Indonesia Golden Visa
Legal Basis and Policy Objectives
The launch of this visa is the crown jewel of the Directorate General of Immigration’s 2023-2026 reform agenda. Its legal foundation rests on Government Regulation (PP) No. 40 of 2023 and Permenkumham No. 22 of 2023, which formally introduced validities of up to 10 years in Indonesia. The policy’s primary objective is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Global Talent and Investment that can drive the nation’s downstreaming industries and digital economy.
By offering a stable 5 or 10-year horizon, the government aims to reduce the “administrative anxiety” that plagues foreign business owners. Instead of worrying about annual extension sponsors, a long-term residency holder can focus on asset growth. The program effectively separates “tourist-class” visitors from “strategic partners,” granting the latter a level of immigration security previously reserved only for permanent residents (KITAP holders) in Indonesia.
This policy is also a strategic move to boost national foreign exchange reserves. By mandating that funds be placed in state-owned enterprise (Himbara) banks or sovereign debt instruments, the policy ensures that Global Talent and Investment capital circulates within the financial ecosystem, supporting national development projects while offering a serious investor a competitive yield.
Individual Investor Routes: Portfolio vs Company
For individual applicants, the framework offers two distinct tracks to attract a premium investor. The first is the “Portfolio Investment” route (Index E28C), ideal for retirees or passive participants who do not wish to run a business in Bali.
- 5-Year Stay: Requires a placement of USD 350,000 into Indonesian government bonds, shares of public companies, or state bank deposits.
- 10-Year Stay: Requires a placement of USD 700,000 in the same instruments.
The second track is for an active investor establishing a PT PMA (Index E28B). This is for those who want to build a company from the ground up under the supervision of the local immigration office.
- 5-Year Stay: Requires a direct investment worth USD 2.5 million.
- 10-Year Stay: Requires a direct investment worth USD 5 million. Crucially, these funds must be real, paid-up capital, verified by an audit, not just a paper commitment. Every investor must realize this within the initial stay permit window of the Indonesia Golden Visa.
Corporate Investor Pathways
Multinational corporations expanding into Indonesia can use this Elite Residency Program to secure long-term stay for their key executives. This ensures that the leadership team remains stable during the critical early years of market entry. It is a key mechanism for facilitating corporate Global Talent and Investment flow into the Bali economy through the new residency channels.
- 5-Year Stay: Granted to management if the parent company invests USD 25 million in its Indonesian subsidiary.
- 10-Year Stay: Granted if the investment reaches USD 50 million.
This route effectively removes the need for individual work permit (RPTKA) renewals for top-level management, linking their immigration status directly to the company’s financial commitment to the state. It allows corporations to rotate high-level personnel into Indonesia with minimal friction.
Global Talent and Strategic Figures
Beyond capital, Indonesia seeks brainpower. The Global Talent (Index E33) stream is reserved for individuals with exceptional expertise—such as world-class researchers, tech innovators, or cultural icons—who are invited by the central government. This is a core component of welcoming strategic contributors to the nation via the Indonesia Golden Visa.
Applicants in this category do not always need to meet the high cash thresholds of a typical investor. Instead, they require a formal recommendation from a Ministry or State Institution and proof of expertise (e.g., graduation from a top-100 global university or recognized awards). This stream acknowledges that knowledge can be just as valuable as financial capital in accelerating development. Whether it is a national sports coach or a silicon valley tech lead, this visa provides a red-carpet entry for leaders in Global Talent and Investment.
Real Story: From Digital Nomad to Bond Investor
Name: Eva, a Software Architect from the UK. Location: Seminyak, Bali. Date: February 2026. The Challenge: Eva had lived in Bali for three years on a B211A Visit Visa, tired of the bi-monthly extensions.
She represented the exact type of profile Indonesia wanted, but he lacked a permanent vehicle. She had capital from a recent crypto exit but didn’t want the operational hassle of running a new active PT PMA just for a visa.
The Move: She opted for the 5-year Portfolio Route of the Strategic Investment Visa. She transferred USD 350,000 into Indonesian government bonds, viewing it as a safe, yield-bearing diversification of her portfolio. The Outcome: Within three weeks, the Bali immigration office processed her permit.
Eva received her 5-year residency status. She no longer deals with visa agents, her investor yield earns a steady 6%, and she successfully leased land for her dream home using her new long-term stay permit.
Application Process and Government Fees
Applying for this residency is a digitized process via the official eVisa portal. It is designed to be transparent, reducing the reliance on third-party “fixers” and effectively processing high-level human capital applications through the central immigration system in Indonesia.
- Submission: Upload passport, proof of funds/investment plan, and background documents.
- Payment: Pay the state non-tax revenue (PNBP) fees. As of 2026, fees are approximately IDR 13 million for the 5-year permit and IDR 19.5 million for the 10-year permit.
- Verification: The Directorate General of Immigration assesses the validity of the financial commitment.
- Issuance: The e-Visa is issued electronically.
Applicants in Bali must be prepared for the higher PNBP fees compared to standard visas. These fees reflect the premium nature of the service, which includes multiple re-entry permits for the entire duration, facilitating the mobility of Global Talent and Investment.
The 90-Day Realization Rule
The most critical compliance checkpoint for any investor is the “90-day Realization Period.” Upon arriving in Bali, the clock starts ticking. You have strictly 90 days to prove to immigration that the funds have been physically deposited or invested.
For portfolio investors, this means submitting proof of purchase of government bonds or share acquisition. For corporate investors, it means showing the capital injection into the PT PMA’s bank account.
Failure to submit this proof within the 90-day period will result in the cancellation of the residency permit. Immigration authorities in Indonesia are strict on this deadline to prevent applicants from exploiting the system without actualizing their contribution through the Indonesia Golden Visa.
Compliance Duties, Risks, and Penalties
Holding this premium residency status requires active maintenance. The Bali immigration office conducts periodic audits to ensure the investment remains intact.
If you sell your bonds or liquidate your shares below the threshold before the visa expires, your permit is subject to immediate revocation. The commitment to Global Talent and Investment must be sustained for the duration of the Indonesia Golden Visa.
Furthermore, this visa does not exempt you from tax obligations. Living in Bali for more than 183 days makes you a tax resident of Indonesia. An investor must ensure their structure is compliant with local tax laws.
Misrepresentation of funds or engaging in activities outside the scope of your stay permit can lead to deportation and permanent blacklisting, effectively ending your journey of residency in Indonesia.
FAQ's about Indonesia Golden Visa
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Can I work in Indonesia with this visa?
If you hold the investor category as a Director/Commissioner of a PT PMA, you can actively manage that company. Portfolio investors (bonds/shares) are generally not permitted to take up active employment with other companies in Bali, as their role is purely financial under the Elite Residency Program.
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Is the investment money locked forever?
No, but it must remain invested for the duration of the residency (5 or 10 years). You can usually switch between eligible instruments (e.g., from bonds to shares), but the total value must not drop below the designated threshold.
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Can I bring my family?
Yes. The scheme allows for family reunification. Spouses and children can apply for dependent permits linked to the main applicant’s Indonesia Golden Visa status, often with validities matching the primary holder.
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What happens if I don't invest within 90 days?
If you fail to provide proof of the realized investment within 90 days of arrival, the Bali immigration office will cancel your stay permit, and you may be required to leave the country immediately.
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How does this differ from the Second Home Visa?
The Second Home Visa requires a "proof of funds" deposit but is strictly for leisure/retirement. This new scheme is a premium investor visa that acknowledges your economic contribution and offers higher status and priority services for high-level human capital.
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Can I apply for this visa while already in Bali?
Yes. Existing KITAS holders can convert to this new residency class onshore without leaving Bali, provided they meet the new investor criteria for the Indonesia Golden Visa.
