Indonesia offers 7 main visa types for expats in 2026: Visa on Arrival (30 days, $500K IDR), B211A Social Visa (6-12 months, ~$300), Digital Nomad Visa/E33G (5 years, tax exempt on foreign income, requires $60K+/year income), KITAS Work Permit (1 year, employer-sponsored), Retirement KITAS (1 year, age 55+), Second Home Visa (5-10 years, $130K deposit), and Investor KITAS (business owners). Each has specific eligibility, documentation, and cost requirements.
Complete Indonesia Visa Guide for Expats — Updated 2026
Indonesia’s visa system has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa, updates to the Second Home Visa program, and electronic visa processing improvements. This guide covers every visa option available to foreign nationals planning to live in Bali, with accurate 2026 pricing, processing times, and eligibility criteria verified against current Indonesian immigration regulations.
Choosing the right visa is the single most important decision in your relocation — it determines your legal status, how long you can stay, what activities you can legally engage in, and your tax obligations. The wrong visa choice can lead to overstay penalties, deportation, or unnecessary tax liabilities. We recommend consulting with our visa specialists before making a decision, as the optimal choice depends on your nationality, income source, family situation, and long-term plans.
Our visa processing team has processed over 1,500 visa applications since 2019 with a 99.2% approval rate. We maintain relationships with Indonesian immigration offices across Bali and stay current with regulation changes through our legal network. All visa types described in this guide are available through our visa processing service as standalone or package inclusions.
Visa on Arrival (VoA) — Short-Term Stay
The Visa on Arrival is available to citizens of 90+ countries at Ngurah Rai International Airport. It costs 500,000 IDR (approximately $30), is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once for an additional 30 days (total 60 days). The VoA is strictly for tourism — working (including remote work), business activities, and other non-tourist purposes are not legally permitted.
The VoA is useful as an entry visa while your longer-term visa is being processed, or for short-term visits and holidays. To extend your VoA, visit the immigration office at least 7 days before expiry with your passport, departure ticket proof, and extension fee (500,000 IDR). Processing takes 3-5 business days. Do not overstay — penalties are 1,000,000 IDR per day plus potential deportation and entry ban.
Important: the VoA is NOT suitable for digital nomads or anyone planning to work remotely from Bali. While enforcement has historically been lax, Indonesian immigration is increasingly monitoring and enforcing work permit requirements. If you plan to work in any capacity, you need a B211A, KITAS, or Digital Nomad Visa.
B211A Social/Cultural Visa — Most Popular for Expats
The B211A is the workhorse visa for most expats starting their Bali life. It provides 60 days of initial stay, extendable up to four times (30 days each extension) for a maximum total stay of 180 days (6 months). Some B211A categories allow extensions up to 12 months total. The visa is available for social, cultural, educational, and business visit purposes.
Application requires: valid passport (12+ months validity), passport photos, sponsor letter (we provide this), return flight itinerary, bank statement showing adequate funds, and completed application forms. Processing takes 3-7 business days through our service. Cost including agent fees is approximately $300-500 depending on nationality and processing speed.
The B211A is ideal as a “trial period” visa — live in Bali for 6-12 months while you decide whether to commit long-term. If you decide to stay, we can convert you to a KITAS or other long-term visa. If you decide Bali isn’t for you, you’ve experienced island life without the commitment of a KITAS application. Most of our clients start with a B211A before transitioning to their permanent visa.
Most Popular Visa Types
B211A Social Visa
6-12 months. Most popular starting visa. ~$300-500 total cost. Perfect for trying Bali life before committing long-term. No work rights but widely used by remote workers.
Digital Nomad Visa (E33G)
Up to 5 years. Tax exempt on foreign income. Requires $60K+/year income proof. Perfect for established remote workers and freelancers planning long-term Bali residence.
Retirement KITAS
1 year, renewable. For ages 55+. Requires $1,500/month income proof. Path to permanent KITAP after 5 years. Includes household staff requirement (enhances lifestyle).
Digital Nomad Visa (E33G) — New for Remote Workers
Introduced in 2024, Indonesia’s Digital Nomad Visa (officially the E33G visa) is designed specifically for remote workers earning income from foreign sources. The key advantage is tax exemption on foreign-sourced income — you pay zero Indonesian income tax on earnings from overseas employers or clients. This makes it significantly more attractive than a KITAS for remote workers who would otherwise face Indonesian income tax obligations.
Eligibility requirements: proof of annual income of $60,000 or more from foreign sources, valid employment contract or proof of freelance income, comprehensive health insurance, clean criminal record, and valid passport. The visa is initially valid for 1 year and renewable for up to 5 years total. You can work remotely for foreign clients/employers but cannot work for Indonesian companies.
Our [LINK3] provides a complete breakdown of the E33G visa including application process, documentation requirements, tax implications, and comparison with the B211A alternative. For established remote workers earning above the $60,000 threshold, the Digital Nomad Visa is typically the best long-term option due to the tax benefits.
KITAS — Long-Term Residence Permit
KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas — Limited Stay Permit) is the standard residence permit for foreigners living in Indonesia long-term. It’s valid for 1 year and renewable annually. After 5 consecutive years on KITAS, you can apply for KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap — Permanent Stay Permit) which is valid for 5 years. KITAS categories include: Work KITAS (sponsored by employer or your own company), Investment KITAS, Retirement KITAS (age 55+), Dependent/Spouse KITAS, and Education KITAS.
The Work KITAS requires an employer sponsor (either a company you work for or your own PT PMA company). The application involves RPTKA (foreign worker utilization plan), IMTA (foreign worker employment permit), and the KITAS visa itself. Processing takes 3-6 weeks and costs $1,000-2,500 depending on the category and processing speed.
The Retirement KITAS is specifically for foreign nationals aged 55 and above. Requirements include proof of pension or savings income ($1,500+/month), health insurance, and a commitment to employ at least one Indonesian household staff member. The staff requirement is unique but actually enhances retirement quality of life — a full-time housekeeper costs approximately $200/month. Annual renewal cost including agent fees is approximately $1,200.
Why Choose Bali Relocation
99.2% Approval Rate
Over 1,500 visa applications processed since 2019 with near-perfect success rate.
Fast Processing
B211A in 3-7 days, KITAS in 3-6 weeks, Digital Nomad Visa in 2-4 weeks. Priority processing available.
Full Documentation
We handle every document, every form, every appointment. You just provide your passport and information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which visa do I need to work remotely from Bali?
For legal remote work, you need either a B211A social visa (commonly used but technically gray area), Digital Nomad Visa/E33G (legally designed for remote work with tax benefits, requires $60K+/year income), or a KITAS work permit (if working for an Indonesian entity). Our Visa Finder Quiz recommends the optimal visa based on your income, nationality, and plans.
How much does a Bali visa cost?
VoA: $30 (30 days). B211A: $300-500 (6-12 months). Digital Nomad Visa: $500-800 (1-5 years). KITAS: $1,000-2,500 (1 year). Second Home Visa: $130,000 deposit + $500-1,000 processing (5-10 years). Retirement KITAS: $1,000-1,500 (1 year). All prices include agent fees.
Can I convert my tourist visa to a long-term visa?
You cannot convert a VoA or tourist visa to KITAS while in Indonesia — you must exit and re-enter on the correct visa. However, you can start your KITAS application while on a B211A visa and transition without leaving the country in some cases. Our visa team plans the most efficient pathway to avoid unnecessary travel.
What happens if I overstay my visa in Bali?
Overstay penalties are serious: 1,000,000 IDR (≈$60) per day of overstay, mandatory deportation, and potential entry ban for 1-5 years. Immigration enforcement has increased significantly. We monitor all client visa expiry dates and initiate renewals well in advance to prevent any overstay risk.
Do I need a visa agent or can I apply myself?
Self-application is possible but challenging — forms are partially in Bahasa Indonesia, requirements change frequently, and immigration offices have specific procedures that vary by location. The time savings and near-guaranteed approval of using a professional agent (like our visa team) typically far outweigh the agent fee. We recommend professional processing for all visa types beyond the simple VoA.
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