Bali is one of the most popular places on earth for remote workers, and for good reason. The surf, the food, the coworking scene and the cost of living are hard to beat. But the number one question I get from people who want to move here is simple: what visa do I actually need?
I’ve lived in Bali since around 2019, running my online business on Bali time, so I’ve watched the visa rules change a lot over the years. Programs get renamed, fees change, and the rumors in Facebook groups are usually a step behind. That’s why everything in this guide comes from Indonesia’s official e-Visa portal, checked in November 2026.
In this guide I’ll walk you through Indonesia’s remote worker visa, usually called the Bali digital nomad visa, plus the main alternatives like the visa on arrival, multiple entry visitor visas and the second home visa. You’ll see the official fees, how long each one lets you stay, and the rules that trip people up.
Quick but important note. This is general information, not immigration or legal advice. Indonesian rules depend on your nationality and change often. Always confirm on the official Indonesia e-Visa portal before you apply, and talk to a qualified professional if your situation is complicated.
Is there a Bali digital nomad visa?
Bali is a province of Indonesia, so there’s no separate Bali visa. You apply for an Indonesian visa and then live in Bali. When people talk about the Bali digital nomad visa, they usually mean Indonesia’s remote worker visa, listed on the official portal as E33G.
On the portal you find it by choosing Professional or Employment as your purpose, then Remote Worker. The visa is described as being for employees of companies abroad who work remotely in Indonesia.
Indonesia also offers other options that some long-stay visitors use, depending on what they’re actually doing here. The key is matching the visa to your real activity, not to what your friends did.
The E33G remote worker visa explained
Here’s what the official e-Visa portal listed for E33G when I checked it in November 2026, using a US passport as the example.
| Detail | What the official portal listed (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Employees in a contractual relationship with a company abroad who work remotely in Indonesia |
| Stay | Up to 1 year |
| Cost | IDR 7,000,000 for 1 year |
| Income | Salary or income worth at least US$60,000 per year |
| Bank balance | Personal bank statement with at least US$2,000 or equivalent over the last 3 months |
| Employment proof | Employment contract with a company established outside Indonesia |
| Other documents | Passport valid at least 6 months, recent photo, CV and travel itinerary |
| Entry deadline | Must be used to enter Indonesia within 90 days from the date of issue |
What you can do on E33G
According to the portal, the visa lets you carry out assignments for your overseas company, travel in and out of Indonesia, and do tourism-related activities like visiting friends or family.
What you can’t do on E33G
This part matters. The portal says you’re prohibited from selling goods or services, and prohibited from working for compensation or wages from individuals or companies in Indonesia. In other words, your income has to come from outside the country.
So if your plan is to open a cafe, take local clients or work for a Bali villa company, this isn’t the right visa. You’d need a different permit, and that’s a conversation for an Indonesian immigration professional.
The stay permit and card
The portal notes that along with the electronic limited stay permit, a physical card for the limited stay permit is available at the immigration office. Expats usually just call this the KITAS. Keep your digital and physical documents safe and make copies.
Who E33G suits best
It’s a strong fit for salaried remote employees of foreign companies who comfortably clear the income bar. If you’re a freelancer or run your own business, read the requirements closely. The official wording centers on an employment contract with a foreign company, so confirm how your situation fits before paying the fee.
Alternatives to the remote worker visa
Not everyone needs, or qualifies for, E33G. Here are the other main routes listed on the portal for a US passport holder, with what they’re actually designed for.
| Visa | Designed for | Stay (official, Nov 2026) | Cost (official, Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Visa on Arrival | Tourism, family visits, transit | Up to 30 days, extendable for another 30 days | Rp500,000 |
| C1 single entry visitor visa | Tourism and visits | 60 days | Check the official portal |
| D1 multiple entry tourist visa (1 year) | Repeat tourism visits | Up to 60 days per entry | IDR 3,000,000 |
| D1 multiple entry tourist visa (5 years) | Repeat tourism visits | Up to 60 days per entry | IDR 10,000,000 |
| E33 Second Home visa | Wealthier long-stay residents | Up to 5 years, extendable | IDR 13,000,000 |
| E33G Remote Worker | Employees of foreign companies working remotely | Up to 1 year | IDR 7,000,000 |
Visa on arrival (B1)
The visa on arrival is the classic short-trip option. The portal listed a stay of up to 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days, at Rp500,000, with a passport valid for at least 6 months and an outbound ticket from Indonesia. You can apply online as an e-VOA before you fly.
It’s perfect for scouting trips. Spend a few weeks seeing whether you actually like Canggu, Ubud or Sanur before you commit to anything longer. Just remember it’s a tourism visa, not a work permit.
Multiple entry tourist visas (D1)
For people who come and go a lot, the portal listed D1 multiple entry tourist visas valid for 1 year at IDR 3,000,000 or 5 years at IDR 10,000,000, with stays of up to 60 days per entry. The listing also asked for proof of living expenses of at least US$2,000 or equivalent.
Again, this is for tourism and visits. If you’re actively working on your laptop for long stretches, read the activity rules carefully and consider whether E33G fits you better.
Second home visa (E33)
The second home visa is aimed at people with significant funds. When I checked, the portal listed a stay of up to 5 years (extendable) for IDR 13,000,000. The commitment was either depositing US$130,000 in an account in your name at an Indonesian state-owned bank, or buying property such as an apartment worth US$1,000,000, within 90 days after arrival.
The portal also said that if you meet the conditions, you automatically receive the electronic limited stay permit and re-entry permit at the immigration checkpoint on arrival. It’s a big financial commitment, but for retirees or wealthy remote workers who want years of stability, it’s worth a look.
Which Bali visa fits your situation?
Here’s how I’d think about it, based on what people usually ask me. These are general scenarios, not a ruling on your specific case.
You’re a salaried remote employee
If you work for a company outside Indonesia, earn above the income bar and want to stay for months at a time, E33G is the option built for you. It gives you a clear permission to work remotely for your foreign employer while living here.
You’re coming for a few weeks to test the waters
A visa on arrival or an e-VOA makes the most sense. Use the trip to check neighborhoods, internet speeds and how you handle the heat and traffic. Plenty of people discover they love Bali for a month but not for a year.
You visit often but don’t live here full time
The D1 multiple entry tourist visas are designed for repeat visits. They can save you a lot of hassle compared with buying a new visa every trip, as long as your activities match what a tourist visa allows.
You have significant savings and want long-term stability
The second home visa is built for this. The deposit or property commitment is large, but the stay is long and the portal says the stay permit is issued at the airport if you meet the conditions.
You want to run a business with local customers
None of the visitor or remote worker options are designed for this. Investing in or running a business in Indonesia involves a separate legal process, so speak with an Indonesian legal professional before you spend any money.
How to apply for E33G step by step
- Go to the official Indonesia e-Visa portal and choose your passport country.
- Select Professional or Employment as your main purpose and Remote Worker as the sub purpose.
- Choose E33G and review the requirements and fee shown for your passport.
- Prepare your passport scan, photo, CV, travel itinerary, employment contract, income proof and 3 months of bank statements.
- Create an account, complete the application and pay the official fee.
- Watch your email for the approval and download link.
- Enter Indonesia within 90 days of the visa being issued, and keep digital and printed copies of everything.
Processing times vary, so apply well before your flight. If something in the application doesn’t fit your situation neatly, contact Indonesian immigration through the official channels rather than guessing.
Extending your stay
Rules on extending or renewing depend on the visa type. The visa on arrival can be extended once according to the portal, and the second home visa is listed as extendable. For E33G, check the portal and the stay permit claim pages for the current renewal process before your permit gets close to expiring. You can also find official notices on the Directorate General of Immigration website.
Set reminders well ahead of your deadline. Leaving it to the last week in Bali is a classic mistake, and overstaying is not something you want on your record.
Before you fly: practical steps
Apply only on the official site
Use the official Indonesia e-Visa portal and pay only official fees. The portal accepts payment through the government payment system or major cards. Lots of lookalike sites and agents charge extra, and some are outright scams.
Submit your arrival card
The official e-Visa site says all travelers must submit an arrival card within 3 days before arriving in Indonesia. Do it before you leave for the airport so you’re not filling it out in the immigration line.
Pay the Bali tourist levy
Bali charges international visitors a tourist levy, separate from your visa. Pay it through the official Love Bali portal run by the Bali provincial government and keep the confirmation handy.
Line up health insurance
Bali has good private clinics and hospitals, but serious cases can mean an expensive evacuation. Don’t come without proper cover. Our guide to international health insurance for expats explains what to look for.
Plan your budget
Visa fees are a small part of the real cost. Rent, a scooter, food, coworking and insurance add up fast. My full breakdown of the cost of living in Bali gives you realistic monthly ranges by area.
Taxes and your business
Here’s the part people love to skip. A visa decides whether you can stay. It doesn’t settle where you owe tax. Spending long stretches in Indonesia can raise tax residency questions, and your home country may still expect a return from you.
If you’re American, you generally keep filing US taxes while living abroad. The IRS page for US citizens and resident aliens abroad is a good starting point. Then get advice from a tax professional who understands both countries.
I’ve been running my business since October 2010, and the best decision I ever made on this front was getting proper advice early instead of guessing. It costs a little upfront and saves a lot of stress later.
Common Bali visa mistakes
- Working for local clients or a Bali company on a visa that only allows foreign remote work.
- Overstaying, even by a day. The portal warns that overstaying and breaking visa conditions can lead to fines, deportation or other legal consequences.
- Using unofficial visa websites that charge inflated fees.
- Forgetting the 90 day window to use a visa after it’s issued.
- Skipping health insurance because Bali feels laid-back.
- Trusting an old blog post or group chat over the official portal.
Living in Bali on a remote worker visa
Once the paperwork is handled, Bali is an amazing place to build a life. Most remote workers cluster in Canggu, Pererenan, Ubud, Sanur and the Bukit. Each has its own vibe, from surf and cafes to rice fields and quieter family areas.
Internet has gotten much better, but I still recommend having a backup like a mobile hotspot. Many people also keep a US mailing address through a virtual mailbox service and use a VPN when logging in to banks back home. Our guide to the best VPN for travel abroad covers that piece.
Bali isn’t for everyone, though. Traffic in the busy areas is real, rainy season is real, and some areas are much more developed than they were a few years ago. Compare it against other options in our list of the best countries to be an expat. You can also compare remote work programs across countries in our digital nomad visa guide.
Funding life in Bali
Every long-stay option here, from E33G to the second home visa, comes down to one thing: reliable money from outside Indonesia. That’s the real foundation of living here long term.
Building that kind of income is exactly what I teach at Ecommerce Paradise. If you’re still working on the income side of the equation, start there, then come back and sort out your visa.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bali have a digital nomad visa?
Bali uses Indonesian visas. The closest thing to a digital nomad visa is Indonesia’s E33G remote worker visa, which the official portal listed in November 2026 for employees of foreign companies working remotely, with a stay of up to 1 year.
How much does the E33G visa cost?
The official e-Visa portal listed IDR 7,000,000 for the 1 year E33G when I checked in November 2026. Fees can change, so confirm on the portal before you pay.
What income do I need for the Bali remote worker visa?
The portal listed at least US$60,000 per year in salary or income, plus a bank statement showing at least US$2,000 or equivalent over the last 3 months.
Can I work for Indonesian clients on E33G?
No. The portal states you’re prohibited from selling goods or services in Indonesia and from receiving pay from individuals or companies in Indonesia.
Can I just use the visa on arrival?
The visa on arrival is for tourism, family visits and transit, with a stay of up to 30 days plus one 30 day extension according to the portal. It’s great for a scouting trip, not for long-term remote work.
Do I need a visa agent?
Not necessarily. You can apply directly on the official portal. Some people use agents for convenience, but always verify who you’re dealing with and never pay more than you understand.
Final thoughts
The Bali digital nomad visa, officially Indonesia’s E33G, finally gives remote employees a clean way to live here legally. If you don’t fit it, the visa on arrival, multiple entry visitor visas and second home visa each serve a different kind of stay.
Check the official portal, match the visa to what you’ll actually be doing, and give yourself time to prepare documents. Then come enjoy the island. I’ll see you at the beach.
Related Articles
- Cost of Living in Bali
- Digital Nomad Visa Guide
- Thailand Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)
- International Health Insurance for Expats
- Best Countries to Be an Expat
Trevor Fenner publishes Expat Paradise and founded Ecommerce Paradise. His background includes living and working in Bali, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok while operating online businesses. Expat Paradise covers practical relocation research and tools. Articles provide general education, with current official sources and clear research limits.