Who hasn’t dreamed of going to Bali one day? And if you’re a digital nomad, you’re in luck! With the Bali digital nomad visa, there’s a chance to stay in the country for up to five years with the Second Home visa or six months with the B211A visa. With a visa on hand, you’ll be able to fully explore everything that Indonesia has to offer, from surfing, yoga, amazing food, friendly culture, and more! Ready to make the move? Here’s everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to the Bali digital nomad visa and more!
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Does Bali Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
There have been talks about a 5-year digital nomad visa, but as of now, there isn’t a specific digital nomad visa in Bali. Instead, the Indonesian government has repurposed the B211A Social Visa to explicitly allow remote working. The government also released the Second Home visa, which is intended more for wealthy individuals.
So, for the purposes of this article, we’ll refer to both the B211A visa and the Second Home visa as digital nomad visas.
Indonesia (Bali) Digital Nomad Visa – B211A
One option for digital nomads in Bali is the B211A visa. Previously, this visa was used for tourists visiting Indonesia for social-cultural, business, or humanitarian purposes. However, now, this visa is also applicable for digital nomads working remotely. This visa does not allow foreigners to work or earn any income from Indonesian companies or individuals. The B211A visa is initially valid for just 60 days but can be extended twice for 60 days each for a total of 180 days. Please note that this visa is a single-entry visa; in other words, it’s only valid as long as you are in the country.
Bali B211A Visa Requirements
- You must have a valid passport with 12 months validity if you stay for 6 months or 6 month validity if you stay for 60 days.
- You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- You must be able to provide sufficient funds in your bank account.
- You must not work for an Indonesian company or individual.
- You must provide proof of onward travel.
Who Can Apply for the Bali B211A Visa?
There is a wide range of people who are eligible to apply for the Bali B211A digital nomad visa. This visa covers anybody who wants to visit Indonesia for social-cultural, business, or humanitarian reasons. As the visa allows remote working, this is applicable for digital nomads as well. Please note that digital nomads on the B211A visa must not work for an Indonesian company!
Documents Needed to Apply for the Bali B211A Visa
Here is everything you need in order to apply for your B211A digital nomad visa:
- Copy of a valid passport
- A passport photo
- Bank statement with at least $2,000
- COVID-19 vaccination certificate
- Document attesting a remote job based outside of Indonesia
- Ticket for onward travel (if requested)
- A sponsor letter from an Indonesian citizen or an Indonesian legal entity (if requested)
How to Apply for the Bali B211A Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
Compared to many other digital nomad visas, the Bali B211A visa is pretty straightforward to apply for. Here’s our handy step-by-step guide to follow.
Step One: Make Sure You Meet the Requirements and Have the Required Documents
Of course, before anything else, you should ensure you are eligible for the visa. If you also prepare all the required documents beforehand, applying for this visa will be a much more streamlined process.
Step Two: Fill Out the Application
Complete the B211A visa application online. To apply, you’ll need to register.
Step Three: Submit Your Application and Pay for the Visa
After completing the application, you’ll need to pay the applicable visa fee, which is 2,000,000 IRD or around $130 USD. This visa is valid for 60 days and can be renewed twice more for a total of 180 days.
Step Four: Get Approved
It will take anywhere between 7 to 14 days to hear back from the Indonesian immigration office. After you receive your B211A visa, you have 90 days to enter the country. The term of your Bali B211A digital nomad visa begins the day you arrive in the country.
Step Five: Extend the Visa (If Applicable)
If you intend to stay in Bali or Indonesia longer than 60 days, find an immigration office and apply for an extension before your visa expires. You can extend twice more for 60 days each for a total of 180 days.
Indonesia (Bali) Digital Nomad Visa – Second Home
As a digital nomad, your second option in Bali (Indonesia) is the Second Home visa. As the digital nomad world held its breath after the announcement of a digital nomad visa on the works in Indonesia, the government unveiled the Second Home visa as an alternative. While this visa does allow for a longer stay (5 or 10 years), it is not a practical choice for most remote workers, as it has stringent requirements.
Bali Second Home Visa Requirements
- You must have a valid passport with 36 months validity.
- You must provide proof of funds in an Indonesian bank account of at least 2 billion IDR (around $130,000 USD) or proof of ownership of luxury real estate in Indonesia of that amount.
- You must provide a full, up-to-date CV.
- You must not work in Indonesia or have Indonesian employers.
Who Can Apply for the Bali Second Home Visa?
Foreigners that have 2 billion IDR or around $130,000 USD are eligible to apply for the Bali Second Home visa. As this visa was released as an alternative to the digital nomad visa, this is also referred to as the Bali (Indonesia) digital nomad visa. So, while remote workers can apply, keep in mind that workers may not work for an Indonesian company or individual.
Documents Needed to Apply for the Bali Second Home Visa
- Valid passport valid for a minimum 36 months
- Proof of funds of 2 billion IDR ($130,000 USD) in Indonesian bank account or deed of property in Indonesia of the same minimum value
- A recent color photograph measuring 4cm x 6cm
- A full, up-to-date CV
How to Apply for the Bali Second Home Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about how to apply for the Second Home visa.
Step One: Make Sure You Are Eligible for the Visa
Of course, first things first, make sure you are eligible to apply for this visa. You should keep two main things in mind:
- You’ll need 2 billion IDR in an Indonesian bank or a deed of luxury property of this value (in Bali, a luxury property must be valued at at least 5 billion IDR or around $330,000 USD)
- You must not work for an Indonesian company or individual.
Step Two: Fill Out and Submit the Application
Submit all documentation and fill out and submit the application online. Pay the fee of 21 million IDR (equivalent to around $1,400 USD).
Step Four: Get Approved
After around 4 working days, if approved, you will receive the e-visa, which you will need to print. At this point, you can apply for visas for your spouse and children (if any). You have 90 days to enter Indonesia.
Step Five: Enter Indonesia
Upon arrival at the airport, your photo and fingerprints will be taken. You will receive your KITAS (stay permit), and immigration will stamp your passport accordingly.
Step Six: Provide Proof of Funds
Within 90 days, you must once again provide proof of funds of 2 billion IDR or a luxury property deed. Keep in mind that the 2 billion IDR must be kept in an Indonesian bank for the duration of the visa (5 years; 10, if you extend). Officials may randomly check your bank to ensure the funds are still there.
Extending the Bali Digital Nomad Visa
Both the Bali B211A digital nomad visa and the Second Home visa can be extended. The B211A visa can be extended twice, each for a period of 60 days. So, in total, the visa can be valid for 180 days. The Second Home visa can be extended once for an additional 5 years for a total of 10 years.
Cost of the Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa
There is a range when it comes to the cost of a Bali digital nomad visa. The B211A visa costs 2,000,000 IDR or around $130 USD, but for a 180-day visa, this will need to be extended twice. So, in total, the cost would come to 6,000,000 IDR or roughly $390 USD.
The Second Home visa costs 21,000,000 IDR or $1,400 USD per person. To extend for another 5 years, you will need to pay the same fee once again.
Keep in mind that, more likely than not, you will need to hire an immigration specialist to handle your visa application. So, you will need to pay an additional fee for the specialist to handle your chosen visa on your behalf.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Indonesia (Bali)?
Compared to most other countries that have digital nomad visas, the wait for a digital nomad visa in Bali is not too long. For the B211A visa, expect a wait of 7 to 14 days. And for the Second Home visa, you may be approved within 4 working days. After the e-visa is issued for both types of visas, you have 90 days to enter the country.
Can You Work in Bali as a Digital Nomad on a Tourist Visa?
Many digital nomads in Bali in the past have simply entered with a Visa on Arrival, which is valid for 30 days, and you can extend for another 30 days. So, essentially most foreigners can stay in Bali for 60 days total. However, working in Bali as a digital nomad on this tourist visa is illegal. In fact, working (even online) on a tourist visa in most countries is illegal. But with that said, digital nomads haven’t had any issues working on a tourist visa, though this may change slowly with the new restrictions Bali has been releasing with regards to tourists and tourist behavior in the island and the country. So, to make sure you are covered on all fronts, get a B211A visa, which specifically allows remote work.
Tax Requirements for Digital Nomads in Indonesia
An average digital nomad won’t stay long enough in Indonesia to be considered a tax resident. To be a tax resident of Indonesia, you must have stayed in the country for 183 days. Since the B211A visa, which is generally referred to as the digital nomad visa, is only valid for up to 180 days, there is no need to worry about paying any taxes in the country!
However, if you qualify for a Second Home visa, you will need to pay taxes after 183 days. As of 2023, the income tax rate in Indonesia is as follows:
- 60 million IDR ($4,000 USD) – 5%
- 60 million to 250 million IDR ($4,000 to $16,400 USD) – 15%
- 250 million to 500 million IDR ($16,400 to $32,800 USD) – 25%
- 500 million to 5 billion IDR ($32,800 to $330,000 USD) – 30%
- 5 billion+ IDR ($330,000+ USD) – 35%
Is Bali a Good Place for Digital Nomads?
Indonesia, specifically Bali, is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations. Digital nomads and travelers have been drawn to the island for decades already, and Bali, as a digital nomad destination, is showing no signs of slowing down! But what are the main pros and cons for digital nomads looking to move to Bali?
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Cheaper cost of living. Rent, food, and cost of living in general is much lower than in many other popular digital nomad destinations. | People are always coming and going. The chances of finding lifelong friends here are relatively lower than in other digital nomad destinations, as people are always coming and going – staying for only a short time. |
Coworking spaces and cafe culture. Places like Canggu are completely set up for digital nomads, with coworking spaces and cafes every two steps! | No public transport. The only methods of getting around the island are by scooter, taxi, or with a private driver. |
Island life. Beaches, volcanoes, wildlife, and more! Bali is a pretty big island that offers everything you could imagine. | Petty crime. While Bali is a safe destination, be wary of sketchy ATMs and keep your bag and phone safe when riding your scooter. |
Warm weather. Being located right by the equator, Bali enjoys warm weather all year round! | Rainy season. From December to April is the dreaded rainy season filled with hectic downpours and even floods! |
Living in Bali: Restrictions and Rules to Know
Bali and Indonesia as a wholhaveas recently popped up on the news for many current and aspiring digital nomads due to the new restrictions and rules. These restrictions have come in place due to regular inappropriate behavior by tourists, including getting naked on sacred mountains and driving a scooter without a license. While Bali may have been a pretty lax destination in the past, it’s absolutely imperative that you keep these new rules in mind.
- You must have an official license to drive a scooter.
- You cannot go to mountains or volcanoes for non-religious reasons.
- You must stay in a registered hotel or villa.
- You must dress modestly and respectfully, especially when visiting holy places and public spaces.
- You must be accompanied by a tour guide with a tour guide license when visiting tourist attractions.
- You cannot enter holy spaces in temples unless you are praying.
- You cannot desecrate or climb holy or sacred places, including sacred trees.
- You must not litter.
- You cannot use single-use plastics.
While there is a total of 12 do’s and 8 don’t’s, most of these rules are pretty common sense if you go with the intention of being respectful of the country you are visiting!
Best Places to Live in Bali for Digital Nomads
So, once you’re on the island, where exactly should you go? What’s the best place to live in Bali for digital nomads? Well, we’ve got all the inside scoop here for you. Honestly, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to Bali – it’s a relatively small island, and every part of it is beautiful and can be the perfect location, depending on what you are looking for. However, these four that we will highlight here are more popular locations for digital nomads, so you really can’t go wrong here! At the very least, it’ll be the perfect starting point as you discover the rest of what the island has to offer.
Canggu
The first destination that comes to mind when it comes to the best places for digital nomads in Bali is, of course, Canggu. Once upon a time, Canggu used to be a small surf town, but it has since turned into a major hub for tourists and digital nomads alike. If you don’t mind the crowds and traffic, Canggu has everything you need to make your life more comfortable. There are cafes and coworking spaces dotted literally everywhere. Besides that, Canggu also boasts a fun nightlife scene and fun beaches. While the beaches are not as beautiful as those in Uluwatu, they’re great for surfing, watching the sunset, and having a Bintang (Bali beer) on one of the many beanbags laid out.
Ubud
If the beach is not for you, Ubud can be a great place for digital nomads in Bali. Located in the center of the island, Ubud is known for its culture, art, and yoga. Think: Eat, Pray, Love! The center of Ubud can be just as busy as Canggu, but life here is slower. The nightlife is also quieter here, but if you ever want to party, you can always head over to Canggu or Seminyak over a weekend. Ubud is the best place to base yourself if you plan to take advantage of the entire island. It’s a great starting point for ventures to see waterfalls, go diving, and explore less-visited sides of the island.
Uluwatu
A surfer’s paradise, Uluwatu is located at the southern tip of the island. If you’re after those beautiful white sand beaches you see when you Google Bali, go to Uluwatu! While not as developed as Canggu and Ubud, it still has its fair share of upscale beach clubs, cafes, and a variety of restaurants. A major advantage of living in Uluwatu is that there is simply more space – perfect if you’re after a chiller vibe than what you’d experience in Canggu or Ubud.
Pererenan
The newest up-and-coming neighborhood for digital nomads in Bali is Pererenan. Pererenan is what Canggu used to be before it became the new hotspot for both digital nomads and tourists. And the best part? You get that nice, chill vibe, but you’re not too far from the action! Pererenan is located right next to Canggu, just a short drive away. A popular surf spot with plenty of cafes and restaurants, Pererenan is the new quickly becoming the new “it” spot – without the hustle and bustle and annoying traffic!
Cost of Living in Bali for Digital Nomads
The cost of living in Bali, Indonesia, is much lower than at other major digital nomad destinations. Being located in Southeast Asia makes it a much more affordable destination, but you still get the same level of comfort as you would in many other major digital nomad hubs around the world. Note that Bali is one of those destinations that can be really cheap or really expensive, depending on how you want to spend your money.
In particular, accommodation in Bali ranges incredibly widely, depending on what you want. For example, if you want a private villa with your own pool and kitchen, you can easily spend upwards of $2,000 USD per month for a 1 to 2-bedroom place in Canggu or Kuta. And on the flip side, you can find a room in a homestay for less than $400 USD. On average, however, most digital nomads will spend around $500 to $1,000 USD for a small villa with a private bathroom and shared pool. But note that digital nomads in Bali can easily spend much more money for a more modern and private space.
Food is another big expense when living in Bali, and this can also range quite widely in terms of costs. But generally, most digital nomads don’t really bother cooking, as food can be quite cheap – especially if you eat local Indonesian food. Budget anywhere between $250 to $750 USD for food, with the lower end being if you only eat Indonesian and the higher end if you only eat Western food.
Healthcare in Bali for Digital Nomads
Unlike many other digital nomad visas, having health insurance is not a requirement for the Bali digital nomad B211A visa. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it! You never know what can happen, and it’s best to be covered just in case. While there are many options for health or travel insurance for digital nomads in Bali, two popular options are SafetyWing and World Nomads. We personally use SafetyWing for our stays in Bali, as it is both super affordable and user-friendly.
If you need to see a doctor while in Bali, a visit will set you back $20 to $50. And another great advantage of living in Bali is that some medication you would normally need to see a doctor for, including antibiotics, can be found over the counter.
Best Coworking Spaces in Bali
Many digital nomads prefer to work in coworking spaces. Thankfully, there’s a huuuuuuge range of coworking spaces and cafes dotted all across the island, especially in Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu.
- ZIN Cafe (Canggu) – Free coworking spa. Just buy a coffee or food from the cafe. Open-air bamboo coworking space with fast wifi, plenty of space, and an air-conditioned focus room.
- Tribal Bali (Canggu) – Bali’s first coworking hostel. Even if you don’t stay at the hostel, the coworking space is free; just buy something from the restaurant or cafe. Open-air space with plenty of booths, desks, and even a pool to relax in after work.
- Outpost (Ubud) – Costs $77 USD for 50 hours per month, $195 USD for unlimited hours per month, or $232 USD for unlimited hours at a dedicated desk per month. Includes access to member-only events, swimming pool access, and any Outpost Bali location.
- Co.op Bali (Uluwatu) – Costs 150,000 IDR (around $10 USD) per day, 750,000 IDR (around $50 USD) per week, or 2 million IDR (around $130 USD) per month. Includes coffee and tea, fast wifi, and air conditioning.
How to Find a Place to Live in Bali
So, now that you’ve sorted out a visa and have an idea of where to live and how much it would cost, it’s time to go shopping for some accommodation! Having a great place to stay can really make or break your time anywhere, even on an island like Bali! Most digital nomads in Bali will spend a maximum of 6 months on the island. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to find all sorts of accommodation here, and you should be able to find your dream accommodation in no time!
So, what are some things you should look out for when looking for accommodation in Bali that is suitable for digital nomads?
- High internet speeds: Good internet is an absolute must as a digital nomad. Thankfully, internet speeds are relatively fast here, so you shouldn’t struggle too much to find accommodation with high internet speeds. Test the internet speed before you commit to a place or ask the real estate agent for internet speed information.
- Workspace: While there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes in Bali, every now and then, you may want to simply stay at home and work. For those days, you’re going to want a dedicated work space, whether it be a desk or an office.
- Air conditioning: Bali is hot all year round, but this doesn’t mean all accommodations will have AC. So, always double-check to ensure you have air conditioning before you commit to a room or villa.
- Location: Of course, location is pretty important when it comes to finding accommodation anywhere in the world. While you may be zooming around on a scooter most of the time, you still want to be near enough to some shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Where to Find Apartments in Bali?
Finding accommodation in Bali is not difficult. There are plenty of options for digital nomads, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. But where do you start the search?
First, a disclaimer: As mentioned above, one of the new restrictions on foreigners in Bali is that we can only stay in licensed accommodations. So, ALWAYS make sure to double-check and triple-check that you are staying somewhere licensed in order to avoid hefty fines or deportation.
Word of Mouth
If you already know someone who lives in Bali, reach out to them. Ask them about their villa and see if there is any availability where they live. If their villa is full, you can get them to ask around with their friends in Bali to see if those villas have any availability. More likely than not, there will be something available. And the best part is that since you won’t be using a service like Airbnb, rent will likely be cheaper and negotiable.
Coliving Spaces
A popular accommodation option for digital nomads in Bali is coliving spaces. These spaces are a mix of a hostel, coworking space, and Airbnb. Some of the best coliving space in Bali that you should check out include:
- Tribal Bali (Canggu)
- Biliq Bali (Seminyak)
- Outpost (Canggu and Ubud)
- The Double View Mansions (Pererenan)
- Bali Bustle (Kuta)
Join Facebook Groups
Facebook is a great tool for finding places to live and to make connections in a new place. Here are some of the best Facebook groups for finding apartments/villas in Bali.
Travel Accommodation Sites
Since we are a digital nomad website, we don’t typically endorse travel accommodation sites. This is because digital nomads tend to stay in places longer term and need better facilities than your average hotel or hostel. Another major reason for this is that travel accommodation sites like Airbnb can contribute to gentrification and rising living costs for locals. To learn more about this, check out our ethical digital nomad guide.
But with that said, these sites can still be good options, especially if you are just starting out your search and need someplace to stay short-term.
Bali, a Digital Nomad Destination: Surf, Yoga, Waterfalls, and More!
To sum this all up, Bali is an amazing destination, perfect for surfers, yogis, Instagrammers, and more. While the island is quite saturated with tourists and nomads already, Bali is a big enough island that you’ll be able to find a nice, chill area as well – if that’s what you’re after. Bali is incredibly popular for a reason, and you’ll discover that as soon as you arrive! With amazing food, a fun culture, friendly locals, and plenty of digital nomad-friendly amenities, what’s not to love?
Looking for more information on other digital nomad visas? Check out our visa page!