Are you considering moving to Bali? Or perhaps you’ve already decided and are now seeking guidance on how to make it happen. Below, you’ll find a detailed step-by-step guide to help you with the process.

There are countless reasons to move to Bali! The cost of living is low, the island’s beauty is breathtaking, there is an abundance of activities and sights to explore, the food is delicious, and the locals are incredibly friendly.

However, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks before planning your move to Bali. For a list of pros and cons, check out my blog post: Pros and Cons of Living in Bali.

Check your passport expiry date

The first thing you should do is to make sure your passport has at least 6 months on it before it expires. If your passport has less than 6 months to the expiry date you will need to renew your passport at your nearest embassy.

Save as much money as you can

If you already work online and will continue to do this in Bali, you won’t need to worry too much about saving money. Your income (especially if you are getting paid in AUS, CA, or US dollars) will cover all your living costs in Bali. 

If you’re planning to take a break from work and live off your savings or if you are like me and will be seeking online work while you’re in Bali then make sure to consider all the costs associated with moving to Bali for at least 6 months. 

This will include the costs of visas, vaccinations, flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and daily living expenses.

It is always best to save more than you think you need in case of emergencies such as having enough money to return home if needed.

Get your vaccinations

Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Measles are all recommended vaccinations for Bali. Most people would have already had their measles vaccination (only one dose required in a lifetime) when they were a child. Tetanus booster shots are recommended every 10 years. Hepatitis A vaccination is a two-dose vaccine with at least 6 months between each dose. Typhoid vaccination is recommended every 2 years.

Apply for your visa

The Social Visa grants you an initial stay of 60 days in Bali followed by four extensions of 30 days. You are not allowed to work in Bali on this visa but you can work online for a company outside of Bali.

You can either apply for this visa with the Indonesian embassy in your country or online with a visa agency. If you choose to go through a visa agency, the visa agent will act as your sponsor. They will guide you through the application with the documents needed, apply for the visa for you, and direct you on the processes and documents needed on arriving in Indonesia. 

You will have the choice between a multi-entry or a single-entry Social Visa. If you plan on not leaving the country for 6 months then choose the single entry as it’s cheaper.  The multi-entry Social Visa is for those that need to travel out of Indonesia during their stay in Bali. 

Be careful of visa agency scams! Some trusted and recommended visa agencies to use are Bali Visas, Bali Legals, and Visa4Bali.

Research and Plan Moving To Bali

Now that you have applied for your visa the next step is to research and plan your move to Bali. If you have never been to Bali before I would recommend spending the first month exploring the different areas to figure out where you want to live. 

Ubud is a great place to live if you prefer to live somewhere remote and if you’re a nature lover. There are plenty of waterfalls, rice terraces, and jungles around. If you want to be close to the beach and shops Jimbaran Bay, Uluwatu, Canggu and Seminyak would be the best places to live. 

It’s always wise to be prepared before moving to another country by researching what you need to know. For helpful information, check out my blog post: Bali Travel Tips.

Book your flights

From the date your visa is granted, you have three months to enter Bali before it expires. Don’t book your flights before you have your visa, in case of delays.

For the best deals on flights, check Google Flights, Skyscanner and CheapOAir. Open an incognito window on your computer to avoid Google remembering your searches. 

Book an onward flight

You will need to book an onward flight from Indonesia to another country before your 60-day visa expires. Since you most likely will not be taking the flight (if you’re planning on extending your visa) you should book a flight you can cancel or reschedule with no fees. 

There are sites you can buy verifiable flight reservations that are valid for a certain number of days but be careful and do some research to make sure these sites have good reviews. I always use BookOnwardTicket for its affordability and reliability.

You can also purchase flights through Expedia with free cancellation and a full refund within 24 hours of booking your tickets; however, this may not work if you have a long flight journey as you need to show flight booking confirmation at check-in before boarding the plane and on arrival into Indonesia.

Book your accommodation

Airbnb is the website to book through for long-term stays as they often give you discounts for monthly stays.

Facebook groups such as Bali Villas for Rent, Ubud House and Villa, Bali Cheap Villa Rentals, Bali Housing and Villas are groups to join for more long-term renting options.

Work out the best way to access your money in Bali

It’s best to use cash in Bali as not many places take credit/debit cards. Before you leave exchange some of your local currency to IDR so you have some cash when you first arrive.

Exchanging money at the airport will be more expensive than finding a local money exchanger in Bali. Make sure to count the money as it’s being exchanged if you use a local money exchanger.

If you are taking your debit/credit card to use in Bali make sure to check with your bank on the fees associated with making overseas purchases or taking out money from an ATM. From currency conversion fees to ATM fees it can soon add up and you could end up spending hundreds of dollars just on fees!

The Wise card has low conversion fees and zero transaction fees. Check here to see if the Wise card is available in your country.

The Wise card is easy to use and the best way to access my money. I have had no issues with my Wise card and have used it for 3 years in Southeast Asia at hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. It is easy to withdraw money at an ATM and I am only charged a fee if I withdraw over a certain amount per month or if the ATM has its own fees.

Make sure to sign up and create an account with Wise even if you’re not going to use their card. Wise is the best solution to get paid, pay anywhere, and move money around in different currencies as it has the lowest rate. It’s free to open an account and it’s the easiest way to move your money to different bank accounts in other countries. 

After you have transferred money onto your Wise account you can convert it to the currency you need. When using the card at restaurants and hotels etc. it will take it out of the money already converted with no fees.

A couple of hotels in Bali did not have card machines operating at the time of my stay and I did not have enough cash but I was able to transfer money into their bank account through the Wise app using IDR money already converted. The process was very quick and they received my money within minutes!

Wise has made my life easier living in Bali and I honestly don’t know what I would have done without it!

Apply for an International Drivers License

If you are thinking of riding a scooter in Bali which will be the most affordable option to get around you will need to have an International Drivers License. An International Drivers License will expire one year from the date it was issued or when your driver’s license expires, whichever comes first.

Make sure to bring your country’s driver’s license with you as police can ask to see this along with the International Drivers License in Bali.

Purchase Travel Medical Insurance

It is recommended to purchase travel medical insurance. I use SafetyWing as they are the most affordable and convenient.

I recommend their Nomad Insurance which is great for travellers, digital nomads, and people who work remotely due to its flexibility. You can purchase the insurance before you leave for your travels or even on your travels!

The insurance payments are monthly and automatically deducted from the method of payment chosen. I found this convenient as many travel insurance companies will ask you for a time frame for coverage.

Nomad Insurance is the most suitable option for those who are on a flexible schedule when it comes to travelling. You can cancel it anytime or keep it going even if you travel to other destinations or visit your home country.

When moving to Bali, emotional challenges can often be the toughest hurdle to overcome. Doubts may arise, and at times, we might question the decision to move. Remember, “It’s better to have tried and failed than failing to try!” You have only one life, so live it without regrets. Don’t allow fear to hinder you from living your best life.

Embarking on a new life in Bali can be both exciting and overwhelming. That’s why I’ve put together A Complete Guide to Living in Bali on my blog, which is full of invaluable advice to help you navigate the transition with ease!

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a payment I will earn a commission. I link these websites because they give the best value/service and not because of the commission I receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to pay using these links is completely up to you. I only recommend websites to book through that I use myself and I know will be beneficial!