Planning an internship in Bali as a foreigner? Before starting your journey, it’s essential to understand the legal requirements. To legally intern in Bali, you need a proper visa, C22A or C22B for training, but this visa does not allow payment for your work and a legitimate legal agency along with your host company will arrange them.

You also need to follow Indonesia’s rules for foreign workers, which include limits on the type of work you can do and the necessary permits. Knowing these rules helps you avoid problems with immigration or labor authorities during your stay.

Understanding these key points sets the foundation for a smooth internship experience in Bali. The rest of this article will explain the details you need to stay within the law while gaining valuable skills.

Internship in Bali: What Foreign Students Need to Know

If you want to do an internship in Bali as a foreigner, you need to know the exact rules, who enforces them, and how internships are defined by law. These points will help you stay within legal limits and understand your rights.

Current Indonesian Regulations for an Internship in Bali

In Bali, internships for foreign nationals are strictly regulated by immigration and labor laws. You cannot receive payment during your internship because the law prohibits remuneration for foreign interns. Instead, you must have a valid training visa, like the C22A or C22B visa, which allows you to stay for up to 180 days for training purposes.

Your host company must legally invite you, and the internship agreement should clearly define your role and responsibilities. These measures protect both you and your employer by setting clear legal boundaries.

Government Authorities Overseeing Internships in Bali

Several government bodies oversee internships in Bali. The Ministry of Manpower handles the issuance of work permits and ensures labor laws are followed. While you can’t work legally without permission, internships under a training visa fall into a special category supported by the immigration office.

Your host company must coordinate with these authorities to obtain necessary documents, including visas and permits. This cooperation guarantees your internship is recognized legally, preventing any future legal issues or fines.

Legal Definition of Internships in Indonesia

An internship in Indonesia is seen as a training period where you learn rather than earn. According to official definitions, you are considered a prospective employee without permanent status or salary since you are still in a learning phase.

The legal agreement between you and your host company lays out your rights and obligations. It guarantees protections during your stay and clarifies that the internship is for educational purposes, not formal employment. This helps maintain transparency and legal certainty for both sides.

What Activities Are Allowed During Your Internship in Bali?

When interning in Bali as a foreigner, you must follow clear rules about what tasks you can perform. Some activities are allowed under strict conditions, while others are forbidden. Specific industries may also have extra rules you must know.

Permitted Internship Tasks for Foreign Students

Foreign interns can participate in practical training and learning activities related to your field of study. This often includes assisting with projects, observing workplace processes, and gaining professional skills. Your role is mostly educational.

Visa and labor laws require that your internship remain unpaid. You cannot receive a salary or any form of payment. Holding a valid internship visa issued by a host company is essential, as it permits learning but not regular employment.

As an intern, you are allowed to gain experience in areas like marketing, hospitality, or administration, as long as your activities do not directly replace a paid worker.

Prohibited Work and Activities for Interns

You are not allowed to perform any work that involves direct paid employment or commercial transactions. This includes tasks generating profit or duties that a permanent employee would typically handle.

You must avoid any job involving cash handling or signing legal documents on behalf of the company.

Your visa strictly forbids full-time work or roles outside the training purpose. Engaging in these activities risks sanctions or deportation.

Sector-Specific Rules and Restrictions

Certain sectors, like tourism and hospitality, are common for foreign interns but have added rules. For example, you cannot handle guest payments or make business decisions.

In creative fields, you may assist with design or media production but cannot lead projects or negotiate contracts.

If you plan to intern in a technical field like IT, you can support basic tasks but cannot engage in confidential or sensitive company operations.

Always check with your legal agency or intermediary agency to understand any special rules for your sector before starting an internship.

Internship Contracts and Required Documentation in Bali

When you intern in Bali, having the right documents is key to staying legal. Your contract needs to clearly state the terms of your internship. You will also need specific work agreements that follow Indonesian law and visa requirements.

Essential Contract Elements

Include the start and end dates of your program in your internship contract. It must outline your duties and responsibilities within the company. The contract also needs the company’s details and your personal information.

Include clauses about work hours, any compensation (must be none), and your rights as an intern. Both you and the company must sign the agreement for it to be valid under Indonesian law.

Consequences of Not Following Indonesian Internship Laws

If you do not follow the rules for internships in Bali as a foreigner, you can face serious trouble. These include financial penalties and the risk of being forced to leave the country.

Fines and Legal Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with Indonesia’s internship and work regulations can lead to heavy fines. Employers or hosts who permit unauthorized internships risk paying large financial penalties, sometimes as high as IDR 500 million – IDR 1 billion.

Authorities can also suspend business licenses and take legal actions against companies. These rules are strictly enforced to protect local workers and the job market. You or your employer must secure the right visa and permits to avoid these fines.

Penalties are not just for companies. As an intern, working without proper approval may also affect your visa status and create legal problems.

Deportation Risks for Illegal Internships

Working illegally in Bali as a foreign intern can result in deportation. Immigration officials are authorized to take action against foreign nationals who break visa or work rules.

If you enter Indonesia on a touristic or cultural visa and engage in paid work or unapproved internships, you are violating the law. This can trigger immigration administrative measures, including immediate removal from the country.

Authorities may also ban re-entry for a certain period. Avoid working without the correct permissions to prevent losing your chance to return or to stay legally in Indonesia.

How to Navigate the Internship Visa Process in Bali

To work as an intern in Bali, you must focus on key documents and practical steps to follow. Your application will require official permissions and a clear plan to meet visa and work rules.

Preparation Checklist for Foreign Interns

Start by securing a legitimate host company in Bali for your internship that is willing to invite you. You will need an official invitation letter from this company to apply for your visa.

Next, with the help of a legal team, apply for the C22A Visa. This visa does not allow work for payment but permits you to undergo a legal academic internship under a sponsor.

Gather these essential documents:

• Passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity (12 months recommended)
• Invitation letter from your host
• Proof of accommodation and finances

Prepare to communicate with the legal agent early. Processing times vary, so start well before your intended arrival date.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

One challenge is the lack of permission to be paid, as all foreign internships in Bali are unpaid by law. Employers cannot legally pay foreign interns.

You must also comply with strict immigration and labor rules. Failure to have the correct visa can lead to fines or deportation.

Another common issue is paperwork delays. Missing documents or unclear applications often slow down the process.

Lastly, understanding your visa limitations is vital. The C22A Visa restricts you from working outside your internship or engaging in other paid activities. It includes online work that you might have abroad.

Being clear on these points helps you avoid legal problems during your stay.

Role of Local Partners and Agencies in Securing Legal Internships

Local partners in Bali play an important role in ensuring your internship experience is legal and valuable. They help manage requirements and connect you with the right employers. Their involvement can affect the legality and quality of your placement and experience significantly.

Bali Work Group: Your Internship Placement Specialist

Bali Work Group is a dedicated internship placement agency that connects international students and graduates with trusted companies in Bali across various industries, such as marketing, hospitality, design, sports management, and more.

Their primary role is to:

• Match candidates with host companies based on their academic background, skills, and career goals.

• Ensure internships meet legal requirements, including compliance with Indonesian labor laws and the C22 visa regulations.

• Provide full guidance and support during the application process, from company introduction to signing the internship agreement.

• Act as a mediator between you and the host company to guarantee a clear, transparent, and positive internship experience.

With Bali Work Group, students benefit from verified placements that comply with local regulations, ensuring no risk of illegal work activities or immigration violations.

MPG Visa: Our Trusted Legal Visa Agent 

While Bali Work Group handles the internship matching and placement, MPG Visa specializes in the legal aspects of your stay in Indonesia. Their role is critical in making sure your internship is authorized by immigration and labor authorities.

MPG Visa provides:

• Visa Consultation and Guidance: Advising on the correct visa type (C22A for academic internships, C22B for post-graduate/company internships).

• Complete Visa Application Assistance: Preparing and submitting all required documents, including the official invitation letter from your host company.

• Immigration Compliance Support: Ensuring you enter and stay in Indonesia legally, avoiding overstays and penalties.

• Fast and Reliable Processing: Managing timelines so your visa is ready before your departure, reducing stress and uncertainty.

By working with MPG Visa, students and companies minimize the risk of visa rejection, delays, or legal complications during the internship period.

Together, we provide a fully legal, smooth, and stress-free internship experience in Bali, giving students the confidence to focus on learning and cultural exchange rather than bureaucratic challenges.