After more than a year of deliberation, the Indonesian government has announced that remote workers will be allowed to work online for up to six months without paying taxes by using the existing B211A 6-months visa.
The original government idea to join countries offering digital nomad visa — may be up to five years — is still being debated.
Digital Nomad Visa Bali: Latest Updates
January 20: Bali’s idea of a digital nomad visa was replaced with a second home visa
Bali.com states the following about digital nomad visa: “THE MUCH ANTICIPATED “DIGITAL NOMAD VISA” IS COMING, BUT NOT AS EXPECTED, Foreigners will have to provide proof of funds of roughly USD 140,000.”
Bali’s government initially presented totally different idea which got the attention of thousands of digital nomads all around the world. The recent update (statement) on Bali.com suggests that the idea was either dropped or postponed.
December 9 – Bali’s 5-year visa could be ready by 2023
It has been in the works for a long time, and it seems that Bali will soon introduce the 5-year visa for digital nomads. After that, digital nomads will be allowed to live and work in Bali for up to five years, with the option to extend the visa for another five years.
In addition, digital nomads will be able to bring their online income to the country TAX-FREE, which will support and strengthen the local economy.
The administration remains confident that it can introduce the visa by 2023.
November 11 – Bali announces partnership with AirBnB to attract digital nomads to the island
With the recent debut of AirBnB’s Live and Work Anywhere site, Bali’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy announced their partnership with the company to lure digital nomads to the resort island.
“Airbnb is partnering with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, promoting Bali as part of our Live and Work Anywhere program, designed to highlight outstanding global destinations for remote working. The Indonesian province has been blazing a trail for years as a leading destination for aspiring digital nomads.,” says the website.
Read our full post: Bali Partners With Airbnb To Attract More Digital Nomads Ahead Of The Anticipated Visa Launch
Digital Nomad Visa BALI FAQs
Bali doesn’t have a digital nomad visa but work on it has been confirmed by one of the Indonesian Ministers recently.
Working remotely from Bali is considered illegal in some cases but Bali plans to issue visa for remote workers soon.
Prices and fees for Bali’s digital nomad visas have not been specified yet by the Indonesian Government.
The goal is to attract more overseas freelance and remote employees to the region by developing a concrete legal framework that provides certainty for both remote workers and the companies that employ them.
Indonesia is not the only country considering such a measure. According to a new analysis by the Migration Policy Institute, more than 30 nations and territories have now introduced visas for digital nomads.
Bali, however, has some distinct advantages that could help it compete on a global scale.
The majority of other digital nomads are only in the nation on 30-day tourist visas, and if they wanted to stay, they normally had to leave and return every month.
Others have visas that limit their ability to work or state that all money, including that earned abroad, is subject to Indonesian taxation.
Bali’s economy will benefit from the move that will make it easier for visitors to set up and conduct business from Indonesia. According to Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno, and 4.4 million new jobs will be created in Indonesia by 2024.
“I am increasingly convinced that the number of foreign tourists who are interested in staying in Indonesia will increase, and will automatically have an impact on economic revival,” he says.
More than 3,000 foreigners have used the B211A visa to work as digital nomads since January this year.
The main countries of origin are Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany, but Mr. Uno says Indonesia intends to promote the new system in other countries such as Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.
There are separate ideas for a longer-term second home visa that would allow older expats to live in Indonesia.
However, not everyone is happy. Other Balinese citizens, especially hotel owners in Canggu, have been vocal in their opposition to the digital nomad invasion.
More than 8,000 people recently signed a petition protesting the excessive noise and rude behavior associated with the expansion of nightclubs and beach clubs, which cater mainly to foreigners.
Bali’s Digital Nomad Visa – Update Archives
October 27: New Visa to Let Tourists With $130,000 Live in Bali for 10 Years
This latest update wasn’t about upcoming digital nomad visas but Bali confirmed a new type of VISAS that allows tourists to stay in Bali for 10 years which can be also useful for some of the digital nomads.
Also, this new visa launch suggests progress towards other types of visas, including Bali’s digital nomad visa.
October 17: Indonesian Minister confirms work on Bali’s visas for digital nomads
At one of the recent conferences, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, told the media that works on the visas are in progress. “We will simplify the Immigration Visa program so … we can give them five to 10 years visa.” he said.