Finding a Job in Bali as a Foreigner: Realistic Opportunities in 2026
Is your Instagram feed full of people 'living the dream in Bali' teaching sunrise yoga on the beach, or DJing at a beach club in Seminyak? Perhaps you're wondering how you can do it, too. The reality is a little more complicated than just packing your bags and heading to Bali to look for a job, as you might in other countries.
Finding work in Bali is possible, but requires the right industry experience, patience, and proper legal process.
Nevertheless, it is still possible, especially if you have experience in the right industries, and enough patience and money to get the required paperwork. In this article, we'll dive into some realistic opportunities available for foreigners, and explain the framework of getting a job in Bali.
Employer Sponsorship
An important thing to understand is that there is no 'freelance visa' for Indonesia that allows you to work for multiple clients or for different employers. If you want to work legally in Bali, you'll need:
A job offer from a legal Indonesian company, also known as a PT
Sponsorship by that specific employer
To work in one defined role and in one location
This means that in order to actually legally get a job in Bali, you need to find a locally incorporated company that's willing to sponsor you.
The Legal Process
These days, a responsible employer will often offer a 90-day trial period using a C18 visa. This allows the company to assess whether you are a good fit before proceeding with full sponsorship, as the Work KITAS process is both lengthy and costly.
The C18 visa cannot be extended and must be obtained from outside Indonesia. Once the trial period is completed and you are formally accepted for the position, the employer will then proceed with the Work KITAS application.
The C18 trial visa is relatively new, and not all companies in Indonesia are familiar with it. In some cases, employers may choose to skip this step and apply directly for a Work KITAS, however, from a proper recruitment and compliance perspective, the C18 trial visa is generally considered the first step.
To legally work in Indonesia you must have the correct visa and work permit. Working without a valid Working KITAS is illegal, even for short-term or freelance work.
The Trial Period (C18 Visa)
A potential employer may start by sponsoring a 90-day trial period using a C18 visa. This unpaid probationary period allows both you and the company to assess fit before committing to full sponsorship. The visa cannot be extended and must be applied for from outside Indonesia.
Working KITAS
After a successful trial, the employer handles the Working KITAS process. In some circumstances, an employer may ask the candidate to help out in sourcing an agent who specialises in the Work KITAS process, particularly if the company is hiring a foreigner for the first time, as the process can be complex. This involves Ministry of Manpower approval first (demonstrating why your specific skills justify hiring a foreign worker) and then the immigration process. The total processing time is relatively long, typically around 2 to 3 months, and the costs involved are significant. These costs are generally covered by the employer, however, this can vary depending on individual negotiations. As a result, this often creates a barrier to entry when it comes to securing a role with a company willing to sponsor a foreign employee. Once approved, the Working KITAS can have a validity of 1-2 years, depending on your job role.
For those who are DJs, musicians, artists or performers, it's only possible to get an Entertainment KITAS that lasts for 6 months and is non-extendable.
What Are the Most Realistic Job Opportunities in Bali?
Hospitality
There is no freelance visa in Indonesia that allows foreigners to work for multiple venues or employers.
If you have experience working in hospitality, you may be in luck. International hotels and high-end restaurants often need foreign managers or specialists that can bring their expertise to the role.
Common positions: General Managers, Chefs, F&B Directors, Marketing Managers, Guest Experience Managers.
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, 5+ years luxury hospitality experience and a track record working with recognized brands.
Salary range: $1,800-3,800/month
International Education
If you're tired of teaching in your country, then what better place to look than Bali? With such a large expat community, there are plenty of international schools. Many of them are on the lookout for qualified teachers that understand international curriculums. Looking in advance of the school year starting is the best time to search, as many schools recruit ahead of time for the following academic year.
Common positions: Primary and secondary school teachers, subject specialists, special education teachers and administrators.
Requirements: Teaching certification, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and 2-5 years in class experience.
Salary range: $1,000-2,500/month plus benefits.
Diving Industry
In diving hubs like Amed, East Bali and Nusa Lembongan and Penida, established diving centers sometimes hire foreign instructors that have specialized certifications. The diving conditions in these places can be risky, especially in Nusa Lembongan and Penida, as there are strong currents, including down currents. It's important to keep this in mind - being an instructor here requires quite a lot of technical experience and the ability to lead a group in dangerous conditions.
Local hiring is prioritized, meaning foreigners are typically hired only when the role cannot be easily filled by Indonesian nationals.
Common positions: Dive instructors with advanced certifications, technical diving specialists and dive center managers.
Requirements: Professional certifications (PADI, SSI), specialty certifications and several years of experience.
Salary range: $1,100-2,200/month.
Entertainment and Performing Arts
If you're a DJ, musician or performer, you can get an Entertainment KITAS so that you can share your gift with the island. However, this visa is valid for 6 months only and cannot be extended. You must leave Indonesia, close the permit, and apply for a completely new one each time. Finding enough work for competitive rates will require you to network extensively, meet venue owners and have a solid act that suits the music scene, as there are already lots of very good Indonesian players in Bali.
Salary range: $1,000-2,500/month
Important: The 6-month limitation makes it difficult to establish stable, long-term employment. It's legally possible but you have to work hard to make a sustainable living.
Marketing and Business Roles
There are possibilities for those who work in marketing to get a job in Bali, but entry-level marketing work is not allowed. You'll need considerable experience to work in marketing in Bali, but there are positions available, such as Marketing Manager, Marketing Director or Marketing Specialist.
Requirements: 5+ years experience, specialized skills that are not readily available locally and a bachelor's degree at minimum.
Salary range: $2,000-5,000/month depending on which industry you work in.
Yoga, Fitness and Dance Instructors
Foreigners are only permitted to work in specific roles approved by the government, usually positions that require specialized skills.
Yoga, Pilates and dance instructors can work legally and obtain a KITAS if sponsored by an Indonesian company (yoga studio, retreat center or gym). However, they must work only for their sponsoring venue, as teaching at multiple studios or leading independent retreats is not allowed. Finding a single studio willing to sponsor a full KITAS can be quite challenging and requires them to have plenty of classes available for only one teacher.
Common positions: Yoga instructors, Pilates teachers, dance instructors, fitness coaches and wellness retreat leaders.
Requirements: Teaching certifications (like the RYT 200/500 or a Pilates certification) and work experience.
Salary range: $500-2,000/month.
How to Find These Jobs
Apply from overseas: find a position before you arrive through job postings or LinkedIn.
Network professionally: connect with people in your industry in Bali through LinkedIn or other online means.
Work with recruitment agencies: some agencies can help you to find a job in Bali, especially for those in more specialized positions.
What You Cannot Do
Some jobs are reserved for Indonesian workers only, in order to protect the economy and create better opportunities for locals:
Shop staff, cashiers or retail positions (at any level)
Waiters, bartenders, or front-line service staff
Entry-level or junior marketing roles
Freelance contractors with multiple clients
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Immigration may review social media as evidence of unauthorized work.
Avoid posting publicly about your job search whilst you're on a tourist visa. Immigration monitors social media and checks for violations, and looking for work on a tourist visa is not within the limits of your visa. Try searching online before you arrive on the island, or create a network here and see if a job comes your way.
Don't work illegally! You can end up with fines in the tens of thousands (USD!), immediate deportation and being banned from Indonesia. It's simply not worth it, especially as Immigration checks have been stepped up considerably in recent times.
Working as a remote worker without a visa is also not permitted on a tourist visa. To legally work online, you need a Remote Worker Visa E33G, which will require you to have a legitimate work contract from an overseas company and earn a minimum income of $60,000 a year. This visa doesn't allow you to work for Indonesian businesses.
So, Can You Work in Bali?
Finding legitimate work in Bali is definitely possible if you have a considerable amount of relevant experience, realistic salary expectations and approach it as a process. The key is targeting the right sectors and working with employers who are able to support you in getting sponsored.
If you're exploring employment opportunities in Bali or have received a job offer and need help with the Working KITAS process, Balisolve can help. We work directly with the Ministry of Manpower and immigration authorities to ensure applications meet all requirements. Contact our office in Pererenan to discuss your situation, or reach out via WhatsApp for a consultation with one of our knowledgeable, friendly consultants.
Written by Bali Solve Team
18th January 2026.
