Bali is among the most popular location for remote workers due to its beautiful location, pleasing climate, world-class beaches, and low cost of living. Many work there on tourist visas, but this is illegal. As the country develops new Bali digital nomad visas, the B211a Business Visa is the best option for many workers.
For a digital nomad interested in working in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, Bali is a top destination. It ranks high on lists of the most popular destinations for foreign workers, which also includes cities in Spain, Thailand, Costa Rica, Portugal, Vietnam, Germany, and more.
Foreigners have come to work in Bali for years, but it is harder to do so now without proper documentation. What do you need to do to come to Bali as a digital nomad? Is there a Bali digital nomad visa?
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Why Is Bali A Popular Place For Digital Nomads?
Like the six million tourists who visit Bali every year, a digital nomad to Bali would enjoy the world-class beaches, surfing, diving, and snorkeling opportunities, low cost of living, nightlife, and gorgeous scenery. The island offers endless things to see and do.
Someone coming on a budget can find rentals as low as $100 a month in a guesthouse shared with other tourists; even a double room with a private bath in shared runs as little as $200. Many digital nomads find a roommate from Facebook groups once they arrive or even try an Airbnb.
Food costs are low, especially if you want to eat local. Even a night out in a local nightclub is a bargain. Many who have worked there for a time report that you can live on as little as $500 – $700 a month. You can support the local economy while living an enjoyable, productive life amidst beautiful surroundings.
Bali has a large digital nomad community, especially in Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua. Some work in their dwelling, but many enjoy doing their remote work in restaurants, cafes, or especially coworking spaces.
Many cities have these facilities set up to meet every technological and social need with reliable wi-fi. great coffee, and camaraderie. If you want to explore the island or take surf lessons, you are likely to meet a fellow traveler who wants to explore when work is done for the day.
Going To Indonesia
As an American citizen going to Indonesia as a tourist, you can enter Bali and other places in Indonesia as a tourist for 30 days without having a visa beforehand. Once you get there, you need one of the following:
Tourist Visa
Lasting up to 60 days, the tourist visa is for visiting and leisure, seeing friends and family, or participating in activities like short study programs. An immigration officer will stamp your passport upon entry; you cannot overstay. COST – $50
Visa On Arrival
You cannot extend the tourist visa, but you can purchase a visa on arrival (VOA) when you enter the airport. Once within the country, it can also be prolonged by paying an additional cost. You can extend your stay for 30 days and then renew it for an additional 30. The visa is single-entry, so if you leave, the only way you could get back into the country is to reapply for a visa and then reenter. COST – $35
B211a Business Visa
For remote workers to stay in Indonesia to work remotely, this visa is good for 60 days. You can extend the visa for another 60 days two more times to a maximum total of six months.This is the closest thing to a digital nomad visa for most remote workers. COST – $650
Business Visa
This single-entry business visa allows a stay of 60 days with the option to extend for a total stay of up to 6 months (180 days). COST – Multiple-entry Tourist/Visit/Business Visa $100
Transit Visa
If you pass via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta for more than 24 hours or another airport for more than 8 hours, you need this visa.
Temporary Stay Permit
For working or studying in Indonesia, you need a KITAS or Indonesian Temporary Stay Permit. It might be granted for just six months or an extended stay of one or five years. COST – Variable, but about $100 USD per month
How Can You Work In Bali?
A tourist visa or VOA does not authorize you to work. Some expats use these documents as work visas, but this is illegal. However, unless someone reports someone working on a tourist visa, local authorities may not take action.
You need to understand your options if that is your purpose if going to beautiful Bali. No available visa allows you to legally work there for long.
Any type of visa you get to go there has a time limit attached, and should you overstay or have the wrong type of visa, you can be fined, jailed, or deported. If you go there for a long term stay, you will have to jump through many hoops and get an ongoing series of visas, a KITAS (a limited stay permit card), and an IMTA (formerly an IKTA) work permit.
Is There A Digital Nomad Visa in Indonesia?
Like many countries whose tourism industry took a hit during the pandemic, Bali welcomes digital nomads. Currently, the best visa for digital nomads is the B211a Business Visa which grants remotes worker 60 days to work, with two extensions for a total stay of six months or 180 days.
New legislation is under discussion that will allow long-term residence in Bali for five years with a 5-year visa extension for expats, but the price is steep. Those who come will need to have two billion Indonesian rupiahs or $130,000 USD put on hold in a bank account in a state-owned Indonesian bank.
While this plan was expected to be finalized by December 2022, it is still unsettled. The average millennial might not have this type of nest egg available to secure their stay in Bali with the new digital nomad visa, also called the “second home” visa.
The purpose of the regulations is to forbid foreigners from taking jobs from Bali natives and to prevent impoverished foreigners from being a burden on the country. As someone attempting to be in the country legally, you need to plan on renewing your visa frequently and be prepared to make visa runs out of the country for a short time before you can re-enter.
At a time when many other countries are eager to attract remote workers employed by foreign countries or small entrepreneurs with their own small businesses, the Indonesian government is first trying to bring in wealthier foreigners. Some native Balinese do not like the party lifestyle of many visitors and have petitioned the local authorities about the noise.
What Are The Visa Requirements For A B211a Visa?
For most visas, you must present certain general documentation during the application process, plus additional documentation that depends on the visa you want.
- Completed application form
- A valid passport
- Two recent passport-style images
- Photocopies of a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Payment of the visa processing fees
- Health records or vaccination records, including proof of Covid vaccinations. (Proof of health insurance is not required but having it is recommended.)
- Evidence of financial capability
- Proof of funds of $2,000 in savings (or at least proof you can pay for your trip)
- One of the following: A letter of invitation from a source in Indonesia; a remote job based outside of Indonesia; a contract for employment in Indonesia; a letter of admission from a university in Indonesia.
- Admission of any criminal history.
How Do Bali Tax Laws Impact Those With A Work Visa?
As an American, you must pay income tax on any money you make. The rules for foreigners in Bali and other parts of Indonesia vary.
Visitors to the country do not have to pay tax for the first 183 days. As those with a B211a visa can stay for a maximum of 180 days, they avoid paying local taxes. However, those with KITAS or Indonesian Temporary Stay Permit may be in the country for 1-5 years, so they are taxed.
FAQs About Moving To Bali
Moving out of the country is a major step, even if it is relatively short-term. Unless a digital nomad pursues a life of geoarbitrage and moves to economical new spots around the world, the trip to Bali may be 6 months and home. How can you make the best of it?
Because Bali is such a popular place for remote work, you can find tons of help online to plan your journey. Here are some of the best sources to use.
Guides To Living In Bali
- A Digital Nomad Guide to Bali, Indonesia
- Cost of Living in Bali
- The Full Digital Nomad Guide to Bali, Indonesia – Digital Nomad World
- Moving to Bali? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
- Moving to Bali in 2023? Here’s 20 Things You Should Know
- Canggu Digital Nomad Life: The MEGA Guide (2023)
- Bali & Indonesia Rating From Citizen Remote
Facebook Groups
Dozens of Facebooks groups offer practical advice for expats.
- Digital Nomads Bali
- Digital Nomads
- Work From Anywhere – Community For Remote Workers & Digital Nomads
- Work In Bali
- Bali Expats
- Bali Expats & Community
