In Reply to: anyone lived in bali posted by AussieAngel on Thursday, 25. November 2004 at 14:25 Bali Time:
Living in Bali requires a Visa and for any of the Visas you will require an sponsor in Bali.
Social Visa which for memory is for a max of six mths,.... you're not permitted to work. and you may have to front up at immigration during that time (and it will cost)
Business Visa valid for 120 days at which time you must leave and re-apply, this Visa has restrictions,... will you may conduct a business you can't actually work and be paid in Bali.
Work permit (KIMS) This allows you to work pretty well unrestricted, but when and if you leave Indonesia you must pay the same departure Tax as Indonesians every time.
The major drawback with ALL the above's you're at the mercy of your sponsor who can withdraw support for your Visa,.....anybody can issue a complaint about you and claim you've done something outside of your Visa, I once spent 4 days being questioned in Gianyar... and you can find yourself deported,.... you can have various authorities knocking on your door saying you've done something wrong,... and demand a bribe.
They do protect the local jobs. you would find it very hard getting a job (legally)
You will find you can't live in Bali without have an open ticket to another destination,.... the can and will deport you on your own ticket,.. this can be done with only 48 hrs notice.
Please note some of the above maybe a little out of date and changed,.. as I only had a social visa once some 16 yrs ago,....then changed to a Business visa and so on,.... so they may've changed a few things.
Hope the above helps if you require more information or have any questions please don't hesitate to ask,..... but believe me it's not easy trying to live and work in Bali,....and it can be costly in more ways than one.