How To Work In Bali’S Tourism Industry?

To find employment opportunities in Bali, it is essential to research the job market, industries, and companies operating in the area to identify the right fit for your skills. Networking through local events, workshops, and meetups can help connect with both locals and expats. Online job platforms and creating an impressive CV can also help you find openings that match your qualifications.

Some of the best industries to find employment in Bali include travel and tourism, hotels and hospitality, teaching English, creative industries, and entrepreneurship. Foreigners need to get a company to sponsor their visa and can find employment in various sectors such as sustainable fashion, hospitality, blockchain, travel, fintech, healthcare, and more.

Some jobs in which foreigners are employed in Bali include marketing, diving instructor, chef in a bigger kitchen, hotel/resort manager, and yoga instructor. For those worried about consistent income, working for a tourist business may be a good option. Expats who dream of working in Bali will find most opportunities at international companies, as an English teacher, or working with tourists.

To find employment opportunities, it is best to organize a visa in Bali before leaving or obtain them from immigration. You can find employment opportunities through Facebook groups, on-the-ground networking, and potentially working with certain recruitment firms.

In summary, Bali offers numerous opportunities for foreigners to find employment in various sectors, including tourism, hospitality, digital nomad ventures, teaching English, creative industries, and entrepreneurship. By leveraging your professional network and finding the right job, you can secure a successful career in Bali.


📹 I asked DIGITAL NOMADS how they MAKE MONEY in Bali

In this episode I asked and interviewed digital nomads how they make money in Bali. A lot of people often think that Digital …


Can I move to Bali with no job?

Moving to Bali without a job is possible, but it’s essential to have a financial plan and a source of income to sustain your search for employment or establish your business. Networking is crucial in Bali, as many job opportunities come through personal connections. Expanding your network and engaging with the expat community can increase your chances of finding suitable work. Job opportunities exist in the hospitality, tourism, and digital nomad sectors, and networking and engaging with the expat community can help you find suitable employment.

Can you live off $1000 a month in Bali?

Living in Bali on $1, 000 a month can be a comfortable lifestyle for a single person, if they choose to live in cheap accommodation, eat mainly in local warungs and restaurants, and buy only basic necessities. The natural beauty of Bali and the local community are enough for some, and spending around $1, 500 a month on a comfortable lifestyle is likely enough for them to enjoy their time in Bali.

What salary do you need to live in Bali?

Living in Bali can be affordable, with a monthly cost of $500 if you want to live far from tourist crowds and cut out luxuries. However, a comfortable monthly cost of $750 is more affordable. A single person would need $1, 000 a month, while couples and families can afford less. International schools can significantly impact the cost of living in Bali, but two people cannot live as cheaply as one. The cost of living in Bali varies depending on the nature of your time, but it is clear that the expenses you incur while living in Bali are significantly lower than those during a holiday.

How hard is it to get a job in Bali?

Working as a foreigner in Bali is not impossible, but it can be challenging. To legally work in Bali, it is recommended to hire an immigration agent or find a confirmed job offer. Two options for obtaining a work visa in Bali are the business visa and the IMTA permit for hiring foreigners. The business visa is only valid for up to 60 days and is assigned to those interested in conducting business negotiations or projects with a Balinese company. However, some expats have negotiated with their Indonesian partners to obtain the IMTA permit, allowing them to extend their stay in Bali.

Can a foreigner get a job in Bali?

In order to legally work or earn income in Indonesia, it is necessary to possess a valid working permit. In some cases, companies in Bali may offer employment contracts that sponsor the visa application process. Alternatively, visa agents can facilitate visas for specific work categories, including entertainment, sports, and marketing, with a duration of 6-12 months. It is of the utmost importance to establish a business and to obtain sponsorship for a work visa.

Can a tourist work in Bali?

To be legally employed in Bali, Indonesia, a foreigner must have a valid work permit and temporary stay permit, also known as the KITAS. However, there are instances where foreigners work without a work permit, which is illegal and requires a special task force to find them. If caught, they are usually deported and fined, and may commit tax fraud in Indonesia. The KITAS is the temporary stay permit, while the actual work permit is called IMTA (previously IKTA). Both are connected and issued simultaneously, ensuring that foreigners are legally employed and receive a salary in Indonesia.

How far does $100 go in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, a $100 budget can cover 10-15 days’ worth of meals from a cheap warung, 5-8 days’ worth of dining at Westernized restaurants, and about 60-80 beers. A budget airline trip from Jakarta to Bali can also be a great way to explore Southeast Asia. However, travel costs can vary depending on the time of year and destination. Summer peak season is more expensive than monsoon season, and tourist spots like Singapore and Bali drain more quickly than less traveled areas like Sabah and Cebu. Despite these variations, the tips provided should give a rough idea of how far $100 can take.

Is it cheaper to live in Bali than us?

The mean monthly cost of living in Bali for a single individual is estimated to be between $500 and $1, 000 USD, inclusive of expenses such as accommodation, sustenance, and transportation. However, it should be noted that the cost may vary based on factors such as accommodation preferences, entertainment choices, and the location of the residence.

Can Americans live and work in Bali?

Americans are increasingly moving to Bali for its beautiful scenery, lush greenery, and picturesque beaches. The island offers low living costs and a work permit visa, KITAS, which can be renewed annually. To obtain a retirement visa in Bali, applicants need proof of funds, medical insurance, a valid passport, proof of education, a minimum 5 year work certificate, a color scan of their Curriculum Vitae (CV), and a photo of 3x4cm or 4x6cm size with a red background.

Can a US citizen live in Bali?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Can a US citizen live in Bali?

Americans are increasingly moving to Bali for its beautiful scenery, lush greenery, and picturesque beaches. The island offers low living costs and a work permit visa, KITAS, which can be renewed annually. To obtain a retirement visa in Bali, applicants need proof of funds, medical insurance, a valid passport, proof of education, a minimum 5 year work certificate, a color scan of their Curriculum Vitae (CV), and a photo of 3x4cm or 4x6cm size with a red background.


📹 Asking Digital Nomads What They Do For A Living (Bali, Indonesia)

In this video, I traveled across the world to one of the biggest hotspots for digital nomads in Bali, Indonesia. I got to ask strangers a …


How To Work In Bali'S Tourism Industry
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

About me

30 comments

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  • Bali was my dream destination for 10+ years and I’m so glad I finally got to go for a week! Thanks to everyone who talked to me for this article. It was truly inspiring to have these conversations and get a glimpse into what the Bali lifestyle is like. One day in the future, I’ll be on my own digital nomad journey 🙂 To the viewers who want to be a digital nomad someday – you got this!!! It’s entirely doable and living in places like Bali is actually quite affordable. You should be able to have an amazing lifestyle while spending 1-2k per month. Have a great day! -Charlie

  • Achieving success hinges on the steps you actively take toward it. Accumulating wealth involves cultivating positive habits, such as consistently setting aside money at intervals for robust investments. Financial management, often avoided by many, can later become a haunting issue. My hope is that anyone reading this finds success in their journey!

  • THE most amazing thing about all this is kids early in their 20’s making my annual income monthly AND having a chill considerate mindset as well. Amazing. Great interviews, well done. Thank you. After decades of physical work, and being a time for money slave. I am starting to make the transition to digital global commerce. ✨️

  • i have lived in Bali 25 years, longer than most of the people being interviewed have been alive. When I first got here, Canggu was a tiny sleepy village full of tice fields and dirt roads. I made a lot of money exporting Indonesia made products to DIY companies around the world. Now retired, I moved away from the crazyoness of the south (seminyak, kerobokan, canggu etc) as it is just not my cup of tea, the traffic is insane, and there are too many people. Now living high in the mountains in a small farming village in a beautiful wooden house overlooking the sunrise over Mt Agung. Good luck to all the youngsters down south, But I wouldn’t go back there for all the tea in China.

  • Although it’s great that this article shows the positives of ppl working in Bali as digital nomads, I believe we should also be aware what are the negative impacts to the local communities by this influx trend, an example is one of the interviewees was mentioning about real estate ventures, foreign involvements has severely affected the market and local livelihood, take a look at Canggu and you’ll understand. My small plea to you whom wishes to go to Bali for this intention, is to do your research on the situation there and understand your wider footprint on the island before making your decision.

  • ngl…this is my first time here at this website & seeing all these different kinds of ppl using remote work as a tool to live out their dreams & work hard is pretty dope to see. Ola is my fav tho, she really seems grateful to be where she is in life & thats really hard to do for most ppl. Also, I need some jewelry LOL

  • 7:29 That’s my rent here in Cali ! He has great advice. He said when you start, it’s not business – it’s personal development. And as someone building my own massage practice, I totally agree. I’ve had to learn a lot about myself and my own perspective on money, self worth, etc. Still working on it lol.

  • Taking notes: 1: Don´t do anything productiv for society. (Don´t be a conventional worker) 2: Do something people want to express themselfs with. 3: Learn how to talk as if what you do is importand. 4: Make yourself belive what you do is Importand. 5: Find a trend and act fast on it. This isn´t ment bad. It´s what I see most entrepreneurs do these days.

  • Last thing I was expecting was an OF manager. No mom wants her son in a gang or in jail and no dad wants his daughter spreading her cheeks for strangers and his friends to see online. She said people will judge, but I’m typing this because the more people see such a career as how I typed it above, the less likely the chance my little sister and future daughter/s will get into it.

  • “I don’t feel like I need a vacation. I don’t feel like I need to escape from anything.” 7:17 This man is spot on. I moved to Brighton 5 years ago because it was my favourite city in UK. Being able to step out your front door and already be in a location that inspires you is a massive cheat code. That said, the allure of my city has worn off a bit. Bali could be a great next option.

  • So all these people say do what you want or move to Bali or do this and that … I think we ignore an important fact. All these people in the article were from australia, America or a well developed country. First of all I live in australia I grew up here and I have been to Bali many times and thinking to start a business in Jakarta in the future. I have a friend in Jakarta who lives a good life has a good business only invested $80,000 or something. In australia most people I know make between $70k-$120k so if they want they can start a business in Indonesia any time if they have the right idea, but can someone let’s say from Afghanistan where form parents are from to move to Bali and start a business? Because not a lot of people in Afghanistan have $80k and they may not even get a visa to start a business lol. And if you graduated from a university in Afghanistan can you find in Bali and work for a big company? No you can’t! All these guys in the article are from the best countries in the world, not everyone can go to Indonesia, start a nice business and live a good life. It’s sad but it’s the truth. In australia there are so many opportunities that anyone can save up $80000k and move to Indonesia to start a business and have at least 5-6 employees if they want to do so. Make sure you are not misguided by these articles …

  • Yo! This was awesome! 2 of the interviewees I really liked! 1. The guy in the bar or restaurant from LA, who was the fashion designer. He said some major things I resonate with 100%. Yo man please do another one of these articles. The 2nd person was ola I think her names was.. first off she was gorgeous, like her energy and she seemed very open minded and also had some great advice.

  • Good article man, I thought to chip in a tip I believe would make your Q&A type articles more engaging. Cut the article such that all the Q&As on a single topic is in one segment. Rather than finishing with one person first, and then repeating the whole thing with the next person. Noah Kagan does this beautifully, and his Q&As don’t feel drawn out Cheers mate

  • Always great to see people making money from their online businesses. For me, the best decision in my life was that I started doing dropshipping. Of course, it was tough at start, but as soon as I got good products (I am using a little bit of winnerzila as source of my products, their lifetime deal is absolutely amazing value imo), everything started to get better for me. Now I have two online stores, and I am constantly hitting over 10k per month, which is already enough for me considering that I don’t like to travel a lot.

  • Those are some astronomical sums of money for people just a few years into their working lives. I can imagine the odd person gets very lucky, but after perusal this article one might think that Bali is full of people making millions a year at the tender age of 22. It takes most people years to gain the education and experience to make serious money. Power to them if they are in the small minority, but it seems a little suss.

  • They definitely knows alot I don’t. Been trying for the last 6 years to progress into the next society. Peasants parents, I had to reeducate myself from the bottom of my heart. Still hustling through discipline. I wont stop. I can’t do 9-5 no more. 31 years old. Father of 5 with the same women. 13 years of relationship. Both with no friends because they did not have the same interests of us. I need a mentor!

  • Was it by choice that most of them come from first-world/western countries? I’ve always wondered if this kind of lifestyle is only possible if you come from that part of the world; earn more there, spend less here in Asia. Businesses like gemstones, cutting clothing, etc feels almost made up but I guess it works if it works.

  • My learning is that if you are young, strong and really beautiful (or handsome) you will succeed anywhere. If not, bad luck, go to school and work hard. Despite all the big words, none of these people has a real job or a real business (except maybe the investments guy). I choked laughing at how so full of himself was the OnlyFans guy:)

  • I went to Tulum and Puerto Escondido in Mexico. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice but it’s very white, most “workers” are barely working, probably on their savings, many look like rich kids and they are all into new age stuffs. And because of them, accommodation is super expensive. I can’t see myself living there. Being a digital nomad might look like a dream but it is definitely not for everyone. Can be lonely and boring quickly.

  • Nice article, I have a job that potentially I can do from everywhere in the world, but finding the companies that allow you to do that is the most difficult part. If they employ you, then you’re their slave and they lock you to go in the office, even 1 or twice a week. If you’re self-employed, finding clients that pay you every month is not very easy.

  • Canggu is a village in Bali, it’s false to call it Bali as it was developed during covid mostly and before there was nothing, just a small village. It doesnt have Balinese culture. You should really go to different locations as you said. It had to be something like Ubud, Uluwatu and Canggu then to be more accurate. If you live in Canggu, then you cant say that you have been to Bali

  • Amazing article and such insightful questions. Just subscribed!! As I am 20 years older than most of these people I wonder what their plans for retirement is. OK the worth $500M wont have issues. But for most people, I would be really curious if they see staying in Bali long term, if not then retirement back in your own countries can be very expensive.

  • How do the locals being exploited feel about all this though? (like, really feel. It’s hard to get the honest truth from some Balinese but dig in and you’ll hear a very different tale since they’re still poor and basically exploited as servants to the mostly so-called “self-made” benefitting from family money.

  • Thanks Charlie for the insightful interviews. I especially found the young entrepreneur had refreshing mindsets. I am thinking about quitting my engineering employment and doing my own business. Regarding remote work, I think the Covid years showed that its feasible for many office jobs. In electrical engineering the teams are distributed around the world anyway. Only problem is if you do hardware engineering that necessitates some degree of lab or testbench work that you cannot do in a nice villa at the beach 😂.

  • I have a bit of advice for your “digital nomeds”…..get a REAL job, one that actually contributes to society, makes it function and ensures everything works as it’s supposed too. Not everyone can afford to sit poolside drinking umbrella drinks and going to the gym and beach….ie: electricians, plumbers, landscapers, doctors, nurses, police officers, EMT’S, factory workers, etc….because without them, your little digital world is screwed

  • Hello everyone, Hope you’re all enjoying your adventures and work! I’m currently working on an assignment for my class where I need to interview someone who’s living the dream—I mean, the digital nomad lifestyle. I’m fascinated by the concept and aspiring to join the ranks someday. Would anyone be available for a brief 10-15 minute chat or email correspondence sometime this week or next? I’d love to hear about your experiences, challenges, and any advice you’d be willing to share for a budding digital nomad. Thank you so much for considering my request. Looking forward to learning from one of you! Best, Danny

  • Am I the only one interested on how you obtain a Visa? everytime it seems you just have to land in one country and you are free. No one talks about Visa conditions or obligations. Some of this country required a minimum income (sometimes $1500 a month). That would be a nice question to ask to this “digital nomads”.

  • It’s interesting seeing Aussies leaving Sydney and living in Bali. I really wonder what’s the main reason behind the move vs living in Sydney. As Phillipe said he pays $2000 usd that’s about $3k Aud so it isn’t that cheap to rent. There is much better beaches and surf in Australia, much safer cleaner so what’s the main differences please?

  • ✍Be Australian. ✍ Work in the adult industry in some way. 😆 Kidding. But OMG, the high salaries in the adult industry (not even being the adult star). The one interviewee mentioned tax advantages; I know for Americans you’d actually get taxed unless you get out of your citizenship (which they make that difficult to do), so I’m curious if you encountered Americans that were earning enough to overcome that tax disadvantage. Also, those rents were relatively high given that Bali is usually a lower cost of living; but then again you mentioned the gym itself was almost equivalent to an Equinox here in the states.

  • @charlieChang nice article, but how many people were interviewed to get this article finalized? It bias people about believing everyone is a successful digital nomad. How many failed and had to leave, how many are struggling, what is the ratio of digital nomad …? Could we get more info about it, and see behind the filter of this final article?