Can I live in Bali long-term on a tourist visa?

Many expats do — the Visa on Arrival gives 30 days, extendable to 60, after which a visa run (brief exit and re-entry) resets the clock. The B211A Social Visa allows up to 180 days continuously. For truly long-term stays without the $63,000+ Second Home Visa deposit, most expats chain B211As with periodic exits, which is tolerated but not officially legal for remote workers.

What is the Second Home Visa deposit amount exactly?

The 5-year Second Home Visa requires a deposit of approximately Rp 1,000,000,000 (around $63,000 at current rates) held in an Indonesian state bank account (BNI, BRI, or Mandiri). The 10-year version requires double: approximately Rp 2,000,000,000 ($126,000). The funds are yours — they earn interest — but must remain deposited for the visa's validity.

Can I work remotely for a foreign company while in Indonesia?

In practice, yes — tens of thousands of remote workers do this in Bali daily. Legally, it sits in a grey area: Indonesian law requires a KITAS for work, but the law was written for those employed by Indonesian companies. Enforcement against foreign remote workers is extremely rare. Using the B211A Social Visa and staying under 183 days annually (to avoid tax residency) is the most common approach.

How long does getting a KITAS take?

Expect 1–3 months from start to finish. Your employer must first obtain IMTA (Ministry of Manpower approval), then KITAS from immigration. Document requirements are extensive: passport copies, photos, sponsor letters, company documents, and medical certificates. Using a licensed immigration agent (costing $500–$1,500) is effectively mandatory for most expats to navigate the process.

Can foreigners get permanent residency in Indonesia?

Yes — the KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap) is a permanent stay permit available to KITAS holders after 5 consecutive years. It is renewable every 5 years indefinitely. KITAP holders have most of the same rights as Indonesian citizens except for voting and land ownership. The Second Home Visa is an alternative pathway that does not require employer sponsorship.

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🇮🇩 Indonesia

Visa & Residency

30 days

Visa on Arrival

Free for 169 nationalities; extendable once to 60 days

60 days

Social/Cultural Visa

Extendable to 180 days total; requires sponsor

5 or 10 years

Second Home Visa

Rp 30M ($1,900) deposit + application fee

1–2 years

KITAS (Work Permit)

Renewable; employer-sponsored; complex process

5 years

KITAP (Permanent Stay)

After 5 years on KITAS; renewable indefinitely

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🌴Bali 🏙️Jakarta 🛕Yogyakarta

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Overview

Indonesia's visa landscape has improved significantly since the 2022 introduction of the Second Home Visa, offering genuine long-term residency for the first time. Most expats enter on the free Visa on Arrival (30 days, extendable) or a Social/Cultural Visa (60 days, extendable to 180 days). Remote workers occupy a legally grey area — Indonesia does not yet have a dedicated digital nomad visa, though a 'Bali Digital Nomad Visa' has been discussed. The KITAS (temporary stay permit) is required for anyone working for an Indonesian employer.

Key Takeaways

Visa on Arrival (VoA): Free for 169 nationalities on arrival at international airports and ports
Duration: 60 days initial; extendable every 30 days up to 180 days total (5 extensions)
Two tiers: 5-year and 10-year, both multi-entry with the right to bring family members
KITAS sponsored by employer: requires employer to obtain IMTA (work permit approval) first
Remote work for a foreign employer while on VoA or B211A is legally ambiguous — immigration rarely acts against it

Visa on Arrival & Tourist Options

The VoA is the default entry for most expats arriving in Indonesia. It is available at all major international airports and seaports.

Visa on Arrival (VoA): Free for 169 nationalities on arrival at international airports and ports
Duration: 30 days, extendable once at an immigration office for a further 30 days (60 days total)
Extension fee: Rp 500,000 ($32) paid at the immigration office in person
Cannot work legally on VoA — remote work is tolerated but not officially permitted
Visa run: leave and re-enter after 60 days to reset; Bali to Singapore/KL flights cost $50–$150
Multiple VoA extensions without leaving are not possible — must be a genuine departure

Second Home Visa (2022)

Introduced in 2022, Indonesia's Second Home Visa is the most significant visa development in decades — offering genuine multi-year residency without an Indonesian employer.

Two tiers: 5-year and 10-year, both multi-entry with the right to bring family members
Requirement: deposit Rp 2,000,000,000 (approx. $126,000) in an Indonesian state bank OR Rp 1,000,000,000 ($63,000) for 5-year — the funds remain in your account
Application fee: Rp 3,000,000–5,000,000 ($190–$315) via immigration
Allows self-employed activities, investment, and business — not employment for Indonesian companies
Spouse and children can be included as dependents on the same visa
Must apply through Indonesian immigration (Imigrasi) — agent assistance strongly recommended

KITAS Work & Investor Permits

The KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is the standard temporary stay permit for expats working for Indonesian-registered employers or running local businesses.

KITAS sponsored by employer: requires employer to obtain IMTA (work permit approval) first
Processing time: 1–3 months through immigration; agent essential to navigate bureaucracy
Cost: Rp 1,200,000–2,400,000/year government fee plus substantial agent and company admin fees ($500–$1,500+)
Investor KITAS: available for those who establish a PT PMA (foreign investment company) in Indonesia
KITAP (permanent stay): available after 5 continuous years on KITAS; renewable every 5 years
KITAS holders can open Indonesian bank accounts, get SIM driving licences, and access BPJS healthcare

Remote Workers & the Legal Grey Area

Indonesia does not currently have an official digital nomad visa. Tens of thousands of remote workers live in Bali on tourist visas or the Social Visa — tolerated in practice but not legally sanctioned.

Remote work for a foreign employer while on VoA or B211A is legally ambiguous — immigration rarely acts against it
Bali governor has proposed a 'Bali Digital Nomad Visa' — discussed since 2022 but not yet enacted as of 2026
Best practice: use the B211A Social Visa and renew properly; do not work for Indonesian clients or companies
The Second Home Visa with a high deposit is the only clean long-term solution for self-employed nomads
Tax: staying under 183 days/year avoids Indonesian tax residency for most treaty countries
Community resources: Bali Expat Facebook groups and Canggu visa agents provide current ground-level intelligence

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