How Israeli citizens are establishing businesses in Bali, Indonesia

Indonesia's Ministry of Law and Human Rights has clarified the process for Israeli citizens entering and establishing businesses in Bali, responding to public attention surrounding their presence on the island. The Directorate General of Immigration stated that issuing visas for Israeli nationals involves a rigorous, multi-agency approval process.

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One of them is Israel. So the verification is not just from Immigration, the approval is not only from Immigration.

Eko Budianto, Director of Visa and Travel Documents at the Directorate General of Immigration, explained that entry into Indonesia for Israeli citizens requires consent from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Attorney General's Office, National Police, State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the Defense Intelligence Agency (BAIS). He emphasized that Immigration alone does not grant these visas, and the process is highly selective, resulting in a small number of official visa holders.

Budianto also highlighted a key finding from immigration officials: many Israeli citizens residing and operating businesses in Bali possess dual citizenship. Consequently, they often apply for visas using passports from other countries where they hold citizenship, rather than their Israeli passports. This practice has been noted in cases where individuals used travel documents from Portugal, Germany, and Greece to enter Indonesia.

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This is what becomes an issue abroad, so Israeli citizens, on average, sometimes they have other citizenships.

The issue gained traction following social media posts questioning the 'calling visa' policy for Israeli passport holders and the special approval required from the Directorate General of Immigration before visas can be issued. The ministry's clarification aims to address these concerns and explain the stringent procedures in place.

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For example, previously Portugal, then Germany, they entered using Portuguese or German travel documents. There was also, if I'm not mistaken, Greece.