Digital Nomad Visa In Bali: What You Need To Know

What Is The Bali Digital Nomad Visa?

Individuals are now permitted to reside and work in Bali without paying taxes for a maximum of six months thanks to the Digital Nomad Visa, also identified as the B211A visa.

Essentially, individuals who identify as entrepreneurs, freelancers, self-employed, or remote workers have the option to relocate to Bali and conduct their work remotely from the destination.

With the intention of providing a substantial increase to the country’s GDP, the Indonesian government introduced the Digital Nomad Visa to attract long-term investors and expats to Bali.

The visa, which was introduced in October 2022, permits remote workers to reside in Indonesia for a period of 6 months. Before arriving in the country, individuals must enlist the assistance of a visa agent to complete the application process and provide the necessary documentation for the B211A visa.

Rest assured that all the details are provided below.

A long-term Digital Nomad Visa for Bali is highly anticipated and will be launched towards the end of 2022.

To be eligible for this visa, you must possess savings of around USD 130,000. Once you secure the visa, you can reside and work in Bali for a maximum of 5 years.

Everything You Need To Know About Digital Nomad Visa

1. What is a digital nomad visa?

A visa designed for digital nomads allows for longer legal work stays in a country without the cumbersome processes of a work visa and beyond the limitations of a tourist visa.

Traveling freelancers and digital nomads are able to stay at their preferred base camp for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years with the digital nomad visa, and renewing it is a simple process.

2. Why get it?

Visa restrictions and immigration are among the biggest challenges faced by digital nomads, as many of them will attest to.

Prior to the availability of digital nomad visas, the only visa option for digital nomads was a tourist visa, which prohibits employment in the country and typically permits a stay of up to 90 days. As a result, digital nomads and traveling freelancers had to deceive authorities by disguising their work activities as tourist experiences.

After their travel visa has expired, they need to renew it by visiting the immigration office, enduring long wait times, and paying a fee. However, renewal may not always be an option in certain countries. Hence, digital nomads employ a workaround known as the “visa run.” This involves traveling to nearby countries for a brief period, then returning to the original country to obtain a new travel visa stamp. Unfortunately, some countries may prohibit this practice as well.

After years of being a digital nomad, these activities will eventually take a toll on your body, mind, and emotions, leaving you exhausted.

If you meet the requirements, it is advisable to pursue a digital nomad visa. It allows you to bypass limitations imposed by travel visas, eliminate the need to spend extended periods of time at immigration offices, and eradicate the necessity for visa runs. Furthermore, it enables you to operate from a fresh workspace that enhances your output and stimulates your innovation.

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3. How to get it?

Although procedures and prerequisites may vary among nations, here is a basic outline of the steps to obtain a digital nomad visa.

Find out whether you are eligible by going to the country’s immigration website or embassy office in your or a nearby country.
Prepare all the necessary documents such as bank statements, passport, and proof of being a digital nomad or freelancer.
Submit all documents either by applying online or at the embassy office.
Wait for approval and processing while planning the long-anticipated travel.
Collect your digital nomad visa, book your flight tickets, and begin your long-term nomadic lifestyle!

By clicking on the links provided at the end of this article, you can access information regarding the criteria and qualifications needed for participation in each country.

4. Who is eligible for a digital nomad visa?

The eligibility requirements for a digital nomad visa vary per country, however, typically, the following items are necessary for the application process:

You are location-independent.
You can work digitally and remotely.
You have a stable flow of income and earn more than the minimum requirement.
You are from one of the eligible countries (e.g, Europe allows people from certain countries to apply).
You have proof of employment or ownership of a company.
You have travel or health insurance.

5. How long does the process take?

Getting a digital nomad visa may require a timeframe of 3-4 months, which is subject to variation depending on the specific country you are interested in.

7. Can I bring my family members with me?

If you’re traveling as a digital nomad, you may bring your family members with you at an extra cost through certain countries’ visas. These countries include Anguilla (UK), Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean), Dubai (UAE), and Estonia (EU).

8. What are the typical restrictions I need to be aware of?

The digital nomad visa is an official visa recognized by eligible nations that allows for easy mobility without encountering any obstacles while navigating the city.

Without seeking trouble, having a visa won’t be of any help.

9. How do I renew my digital nomad visa?

Generally, renewal of digital nomad visas necessitates payment of a renewal fee and the process is quite straightforward. If the visa is nearing expiration, a visit to the immigration office to apply for renewal is all that is required.

It is important to note that certain nations have a limit on how long you can stay even if you renew your visa. For instance, Estonia permits a maximum stay of 1.5 years in a row. If you choose to renew your visa after a year, your stay can only be extended by 6 additional months. Eventually, you must depart from Estonia.

Who Is Eligible To Apply For The Bali Digital Nomad Visa

In order to be eligible and receive a positive response to your application for Bali’s Digital Nomad Visa, you must satisfy the following requirements:

Traveling to Bali for purposes such as tourism, social and cultural activities, business, commercial activities, family visits, or journalism.
You are entering Indonesia through one of the following airports: Ngurah Rai International Airport of Bali, Soekarno Hatta International Airport of Jakarta, Tanjung Pinang Haji Fisabillilah International Airport of Tanjung Pinang, Surabaya Juanda International Airport, International Airport Hang Nadim of Batam and the port of Batam.
You must be a citizen of a country that is not on this list: Afghanistan, Guinea, Israel, Kamerun, Liberia, Nigeria, North Korea, and Somalia. This list of 8 countries cannot apply at the moment due to travel restrictions.

Meeting all the requirements mentioned before does not assure the issuance of your visa.

Bali Digital Nomad Visa Application Process

Documents

It is essential to provide the documents that follow.

Financial Proof

Your financial independence can be demonstrated by submitting a bank statement that confirms that you have the necessary USD 2,000 to obtain the visa.

Proof Of Onward Travel

To be granted entry into Indonesia on a B211A visa, documentation indicating future travel plans from Indonesia must be presented by the traveler. This can take the form of either a return flight ticket or a booking for a flight departing to a different location at the conclusion of the visa’s validity period.

How Long Can You Stay In Bali With The Digital Nomad Visa

You can stay in Indonesia for up to 180 days by obtaining a B211A visa, which is initially valid for 60 days and can be renewed twice at the Bali immigration office.

How To Apply For The Bali Digital Nomad Visa

To apply for a visa, you must enlist the help of a visa agent as it cannot be done independently despite its simplicity.

To obtain the visa, you must get in touch with a visa agency located in Bali. The agency will act on your behalf since the visa mandates the need for a sponsor who is a company based in the Republic of Indonesia.

The official website of the Directorate General of Immigration at www.imigrasi.go.id is open for visa agents to submit applications.

After you have submitted your application, your visa may take around 4 working days to be processed. Nevertheless, it may take up to a fortnight for your visa agent to gather and upload all the required papers to the website.

It is advisable to allow yourself approximately one month to await the issuance of the visa.

You are required to pay RP 6,000,000 ($382.64) for the visa processing. This fee is necessary for the handling of the documents you have provided. If your application is declined or unsuccessful, no money will be refunded.

In order to reapply, you will need to make a payment of $382.64 once more.

he information provided is thorough and concise on the process of obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa. It is recommended to allow at least four weeks for the visa application process, and to factor this into your travel planning.

You can take your time and pack for Bali comfortably without being stressed, following his method that could take up to a month.

Best Places To Live In Bali For Digital Nomads

Bali is a great destination for digital nomads, offering numerous stunning locations for effortless living and working.

Digital Nomads can find some of the top spots in Bali to work remotely.

Canggu

Canggu, a favored residence in Bali, has gained popularity as an ideal location for expats and digital nomads over time.

In the vicinity of Canggu, there are numerous shared workspaces, excellent cafés for working, enjoyable beachside bars, and plenty of restaurants with delicious vegan and vegetarian menus.

Kerobokan

Situated north of Seminyak and adjacent to Canggu, Kerobokan offers a peaceful evening escape for those who spend their daytime in Canggu.

It is common to find more affordable lodging in that location.

Pererenan

Pererenan is situated on the opposite side of Canggu and is thereby situated farther in the direction of Tanah Lot.

Pererenan is a popular choice among expats and digital nomads for villa rentals due to its tranquility and affordability compared to Canggu, as well as the wider range of villa choices available.

Ubud

If you prefer proximity to the beach, Ubud may not be the ideal choice. Nonetheless, if you’re seeking coworking spaces and pleasant eateries to work at, you’ll find a few.

In Ubud, you can feel the spiritual energy and take part in various activities like sound healing, yoga, cacao ceremonies, and static dances, among others. Additionally, accommodation in Ubud is usually more affordable than in Canggu.

Uluwatu

In the Southern Bali, there are two sought-after areas known as Uluwatu and Jimbaran, particularly among expats who enjoy surfing. These are, in fact, the ideal spots to catch the finest waves for surfing in Bali.

This area boasts several surfing schools and pleasant cafés and restaurants. Furthermore, you can discover Bali’s most dazzling beaches within this vicinity.

Sanur

Sanur is another destination where many expats decide to live. Sanur is mostly popular for expats and digital nomads who love scuba diving or freediving.

Sanur appeals to expatriates who shy away from crowded places and instead, seek a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Being located on Bali’s east coast will provide you with convenient access to the neighboring Nusa Islands, Lombok, and the Gili’s, making it an excellent choice as a starting point for exploring other Indonesian islands.

Cost Of Living In Bali

Bali is akin to other popular destinations in Southeast Asia when it comes to lifestyle. It is possible to live a comfortable and enjoyable life in Bali while keeping expenses reasonable.

It is possible to reside in Bali for a monthly cost of USD 300 if you opt for a hostel, but you could also choose to rent a private accommodation for approximately USD 1000-1500 per month depending on your preferred location and way of life.

If you stay away from fancy restaurants and bars, Bali can be an affordable place to live, however, it can become pricey if you’re lured by extravagant dining options.

A lot of expatriates residing in Bali are fond of the place due to its affordability, as one can easily live on a low budget (I have experienced this myself). Alternatively, one may choose to disregard monetary concerns and relish life without obsessing over it.