Indonesia is an incredibly popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers because of its spectacular white sand beaches and verdant interior. Many also enjoy the tropical climate and the fast internet speeds in much of the country, which lend themselves to digital nomad life.
The low cost of living also appeals to this demographic, which often prizes the ability to stretch money further and get more bang for their buck. If you are planning to spend some time in Indonesia, it is essential to understand the visa requirements.
The list below contains key requirements that all digital nomads applying for an annual E33G remote worker visa must meet.
Proof of Employment - An important way to prove that you have permission to work remotely from Indonesia is to show a copy of your employment contract. The stipulation that you can work from anywhere in the world is important.
It is also essential to be able to show that your work comes from outside Indonesia and that you are not depriving local people of work opportunities.
Income Requirements - If you are on the E33G remote worker visa, you must prove that you make at least $60,000 per year. You can use bank statements or pay slips from your employer to do this.
If you are applying for the shorter-term 211A visa, the requirement is that you have $2,000 in your bank account.
Health Insurance - You do not need specific health insurance but it is expected that your travel insurance will be of an appropriate level to cover any problems you may have while in Indonesia. This includes emergency repatriation to your own country on health grounds.
Background Check - Many countries require that people who plan to stay for more than a couple of weeks provide information about their criminal records. No country wants to invite dangerous people into their country because they want to keep their own nationals safe. You can ask for your criminal records check in most countries and use this as part of the application process.
Proof of Accommodation - Indonesian immigration will want to know that you have booked accommodation rather than just turning up speculatively and perhaps not finding somewhere suitable. This also gives the police somewhere to contact you if there are any problems with your documents. A rental agreement or a booking acceptance from a website will suffice for this purpose.
Step 1 - Prepare your documents - Ensure that you have all the documents you will need for your digital nomad visa Bali application before you apply. Collecting them before you begin the process will help it go smoothly.
Step 2 - Filling Out the Application Form - Carefully complete the application form, making sure to complete it in full and include all of the information in the correct areas. If you are really struggling to do this, you may want to pay for a service to do the paperwork for you.
Step 3 - Submitting Your Application - You can submit your application online or in person at your nearest Indonesian Consulate or Embassy.
Step 4 - Wait for Approval - This may take seven to fourteen working days. You shouldn’t book your travel until you have been successfully approved, as it may take longer than you anticipated, depending on the backlog.
Step 5 - Arrive in Indonesia - Once you have arrived, you can fill out any additional forms you need. Sometimes, people fill out tax forms or forms to open a bank account. These things are best done once you are on location in Indonesia.
The Remote Worker Visa E33G application costs $150 USD plus IDR 2,700,000, which is just under $170 USD at the time of writing this article in December 2024.
The shorter 60-day B211a visa costs $110, and then it costs an additional IDR 3,200,000, or almost $200 USD, to renew each time, up to two times for a total of 180 days.
The language barrier can be difficult to overcome, as English is not as widely spoken in Indonesia as in many other parts of the world. Try having someone who speaks more of the local language accompany you and act as a translator if you have any important meetings with the authorities. This will help to avoid misunderstandings and confusion.
Some people have experienced problems authenticating documents in Indonesia, but if you use a reputable notary public or an accountant, you should be okay with that.
One of the best pieces of advice for anyone looking to be a digital nomad in Indonesia is to keep up to date with changes to the visa process, as these are constantly ongoing.
You should also take the time to engage with the digital nomad and expat communities on social media.
There are some excellent groups on Facebook, Slack, Discord and most other social media platforms for destinations worldwide aimed at helping remote workers find accommodation and community.
They will be a source of support and assistance while you are going through the visa application process and also when you actually arrive.
Being able to ask a dedicated group who have faced the same difficulties as you for help is a real advantage to anyone starting out in a new country.
Indonesia is a brilliant country for digital nomads.
The beautiful beaches and landscapes, the spiritual retreats, and the friendliness of the local people are all a big draw for the remote work community, but it is not without its bureaucracy and red tape.
The local languages can prove to be difficult, but learning a few words in the local language will ease a lot of your interactions with locals and make for a much more positive stay.
Indonesia is a popular destination for a reason, and the culture and the people are a large part of this, as well as the glorious beaches and scenery.
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