Indonesia’s Golden Visa program is growing faster than expected, signaling a bigger push to attract wealthy foreign investors and long-term residents — with Bali likely to remain one of the biggest magnets.
That matters on an island where foreign money is already reshaping everything from property prices to business ownership.
As of May 18, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration had issued 1,274 Golden Visas, surpassing the government’s original target of 1,000 visas set when the program launched in July 2024.
The government says the program has generated Rp52.1 trillion (US$2.95 billion) in investment realization so far.
“The policy has delivered tangible benefits to the national economy,” Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said during a Golden Visa outreach event in Jakarta on Thursday.
The Golden Visa allows eligible foreigners to stay in Indonesia for between five and 10 years, depending on their investment category and qualifications.
According to immigration authorities, most visa recipients came from the United States, followed by China, Taiwan, Australia, Russia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea.
The scheme covers several categories, including corporate and individual investors, second-home visa holders, former Indonesian citizens, descendants of former Indonesian citizens, and foreign companies.
For many foreigners already living in Bali — particularly entrepreneurs, retirees, and remote workers — the expansion signals that Indonesia is becoming increasingly serious about attracting affluent long-term residents and investors.
The policy also places Indonesia among countries competing to attract wealthy foreigners through long-term residency schemes, even as several European nations have started tightening similar programs over concerns about housing pressure, speculation, and money laundering.
In Bali, where foreign arrivals continue to reshape parts of the island’s economy and property market, the expansion of long-term residency pathways is expected to remain closely watched by both local communities and business players.
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