How To Stay In Bali – Your guide to Bali’s new education visa loophole—where “studying” means sunrise yoga and coffee workshops.
BREAKING: Bali Just Launched the Ultimate ‘Study Abroad’ Program (Spoiler: No Exams, Just Sunsets)”
The Indonesian immigration gods have spoken—and they’re basically handing out golden tickets.
This morning, our inbox got a little spicier than a plate of sambal matah. Between the usual press releases (“New Toll Road Updates!” 🥱) and a PDF titled “Visa Pendidikan Non Formal”, we found the holy grail: A legal loophole so wide, you could ride a scooter through it.
Cue the confetti (or canang sari, if we’re being culturally accurate). Starting July 15, 2025, Indonesia’s rolling out a “non-formal education visa”—which, in bureaucratic terms, translates to:
“Want to stay 2 years? Just say you’re here to ‘study’… like how to pronounce ‘Nasi Campur’ without offending a local.”
The headline? “WNA Bisa Mengajukan Visa Pendidikan Non Formal.”
Our translation? “Foreigners, pack your bags—Bali’s about to become your ‘campus.’”
(And no, we won’t Venmo you the Rp6,000,000 fee. But keep reading—we’ve got hacks.)
🔥 Question to Ponder (While You Dream of Visa Freedom):
“If ‘Advanced Coconut Photography’ counts as education… does that mean my Instagram addiction is basically a PhD?”
(Want the official docs? We got you. [Download the full Siaran Pers here]—because nothing says ‘serious student’ like skimming government PDFs between beach sessions.)
🧳Read: 9 Best Bali Store Luggage Services to Ditch Your Bags
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The Breakdown: How to Game the System (Legally) – How To Stay In Bali
1. The “Education” Visa That’s Basically a Backdoor Bali Pass
What they say:
“For serious students pursuing non-formal education like language courses or vocational training.”
What it means:
“Your ‘research’ on Balinese healing rituals (read: daily massages) just got academic validation.”
- Visa Index E30: Your golden ticket for 1-2 years of “intensive cultural immersion” (aka beach-hopping with a notebook).
- Cost: Rp6–8.5 juta (cheaper than 12 visa runs, and way less sketchy than that “agent” in Canggu who whispers “bule price”).
- Loophole level: “I’m enrolled in ‘Traditional Market Negotiation Skills’ at the School of Hard Knocks (Seminars held at Ubud’s Monkey Forest).”
Pro Tip:
If anyone asks, your “thesis” is on “The Correlation Between Sunset Views and Personal Growth.” (We won’t tell.)
🧳Read: The Secret Location Where Bali Luggage Storage Only 25K IDR / Bag / Day
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2. The “Guarantor” Hack
Official Rule:
You need a penjamin (guarantor)—either a person or an “institution.”
Translation:
“Find someone willing to vouch that you won’t turn Bali into your personal Eat Pray Love sequel.”
How to Game It:
- Option 1: Your local warung owner who’s been calling you “Boss” since day one. “Yes, Mr. Yogi is very serious student… of nasi campur.” ✅
- Option 2: That “institution” you found on Instagram offering “Advanced Spiritual TikTok Retreats.” (Bonus points if their website was built on Wix.)
- Option 3: Enroll in a “How to Drink Kopi Luwak Without Gagging” workshop. Congratulations—you’re now a “student” at the University of Bali Life Hacks. 🎓
Reality Check:
The guarantor doesn’t need to be a Nobel Prize winner—just someone with an Indonesian ID who’s willing to nod solemnly when you say “I’m here for the… uh… traditional basket weaving certification.”
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3. The Financial Smoke Screen
Official Requirement:
“Proof of USD $2,000 in your account.”
The Reality:
- In Bali Terms: That’s three days at Potato Head, two “wellness” smoothies at The Shady Shack, or one panic Uber to the airport after your crypto crashes.
- How to Hack It:
- Step 1: Temporarily move $2K into your account. Screenshots are your friend.
- Step 2: “Accidentally” show your crypto wallet at immigration. (“See? I’m rich in Dogecoin.”)
- Step 3: Wink. (This is technically not legal advice, but neither is charging $8 for avocado toast.)
Pro Tip:
If questioned, just say you’re “investing in Indonesia’s digital future.” (Then quietly Venmo your warung guy for emergency nasi goreng funds.)
🧳Read: The Only ROI That Matters in Bali
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4. The Formal Education Upgrade (For Overachievers)
The “Serious Student” Visa:
E30A/E30B visas now come with a 4-year stay permit (Rp12 juta).
Translation:
“For those who want to turn their Bali ‘gap year’ into a full-blown Eat-Pray-Love-Meets-PhD.”
How to Milk This:
- “Enroll” in Advanced Beach Lounging 401 at Ubud’s prestigious “universities.” (Thesis topic: “Optimal Sunscreen Reapplication Intervals.”)
- “Research” the sociocultural impacts of sunset Instagram captions. (Methodology: Daily fieldwork at Old Man’s.)
- Guarantor Flex: Get your kos landlord to vouch for you. “Yes, sir, very dedicated student—always home by 3 AM.”
Why Bother?
- 4 years = Enough time to:
- Master the art of haggling with taxi drivers.
- Forget how winter works.
- Perfect your “I’m not a tourist, I live here” smirk.
🧳Read: Bali Travel Tips: Smart Zones vs. Scam Zones – Where to Stay & Where to RUN!
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Why This Matters (Beyond Dodging Visa Runs) – How To Stay In Bali
Bali’s Open Secret:
They know you’re here for the vibes, not a degree. This visa is their way of saying:
“Fine, stay—but for paperwork’s sake, let’s call it ‘education.’”
The Bigger Picture:
- 3,115 Indonesian universities (125 state-owned) means there’s absolutely a “department” somewhere offering:
- “Advanced Instagram Aesthetics” (Fieldwork: Canggu cafes)
- “Philosophy of Bintang-Induced Life Choices” (Lab hours: 5 PM daily)
- “Traditional Kecak Dance… as a Pickup Strategy” (Elective)
- Global Ranking Flex: If “Balinese Coconut Carving 101” can be a course, your “Digital Nomad Spiritual Journey” is basically a master’s program.
🧳Read: Bali Airport Transfer No Scam and No BS
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The Real ROI – How To Stay In Bali:
- Return On Inner Peace > Return On Investment.
- 4 years = Enough time to:
- Replace your passport photo with a sarong selfie.
- Forget what *”9-to-5″* even means.
- Develop a legitimate fear of winter.
The Fine Print (Because Lawyers Made Us)
1. “Creative” Majors Only
- No, you can’t put “Instagram Influencer” as your field of study.
- But “Digital Content Creation in Tropical Environments”? Approved.
- “Sustainable Coconut-Based Entrepreneurship”? Genius.
- “Comparative Analysis of Beach Club Playlists”? We’ll allow it.
2. Fees & How to Pay (Without Crying)
- PNBP Fees:
- Rp6,000,000 (1 year) = ~3 months of avocado toast
- Rp8,500,000 (2 years) = ~1 vibey coworking membership
- Rp12,000,000 (4 years) = ~1 very optimistic crypto investment
- Payment Method: Bank transfer (not tears, not soul—though both will be depleted by visa paperwork).
3. The “Don’t Push It” Clause
- If your “course” is just “Advanced Napping Techniques,” maybe don’t flaunt it at immigration.
- Remember: “Cultural exchange” sounds better than “I just really like sunsets.”
Final Reality Check:
This visa is Bali’s way of saying, “We know why you’re here… and we’re choosing to enable it.” So go forth, “study,” and remember—sunset research is still research.
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FAQ How To Stay In Bali: Bali’s New “Education Visa” Loophole (2025)
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Final Thought How To Stay In Bali :
“This isn’t just a visa—it’s a cultural exchange program where the ‘culture’ is your ability to turn a sunrise yoga session into a LinkedIn skill.”
As the great Giostanovlatto once said:
“Bali doesn’t give you a visa. It gives you an alibi.”
So pack your laptop, your sarong, and your most convincing “I’m definitely here to study” face. Whether your “research” involves temple visits, kopi tastings, or “accidentally” becoming a kecak dance backup performer—just remember to thank the visa gods in your thesis acknowledgments. — Hey Bali, signing off from our “field study” (a hammock at The Lawn with a Bintang in hand).
P.S. Still need a guarantor? Slide into our DMs. Our intern’s cousin’s warung now offers “Visa Sponsorship Fried Rice.” No extra charge for the paperwork sambal.
🧳Read: 12 Things to Avoid in Bali – Unless You Enjoy Explaining Yourself to Local Grandmas
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Meet Giostanovlatto
Digital Nomad Anthropologist & Bali Visa Alchemist
Creator of “The Art of Bureaucratic Yoga”—specializing in turning visa loopholes into lifestyle designs. His famous quote “Bali doesn’t give you a visa, it gives you an alibi” inspired a generation of sunset-chasing “students.”
“In Bali, every visa is a creative writing exercise.”
