Indonesia remote worker visa

What this permit is

The remote worker permit appeared in April 2024 and replaced earlier schemes for nomads. It is a 1-year temporary stay permit: with it you can live in Indonesia, open an account and rent long-term, but you may only work for an employer or clients outside the country. Renewal and re-application depend on current immigration rules, so we plan the second year in advance.

Requirements

What it costs

Rupiah are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026 and rounded up.

Documents

• A passport valid for at least 6 months and a colour photo.
• A CV describing your profession and remote work experience.
• An employment contract with a foreign company or client contracts and proof of income of at least $60,000 a year.
• A personal bank statement with a balance of at least $2,000 over the last 3 months.
• An international health insurance policy.

Documents are filed in English; Indonesian translations are generally not needed.

Step by step

1. Checking income, contracts and insurance, about a week.
2. Filing an electronic application with Indonesian immigration, usually through a sponsor, and paying the state fee.
3. Review, usually several weeks.
4. An electronic visa, entry to Indonesia and issue of the stay permit.
5. Registration at the place of residence and planning the second year before the term ends.

Taxes

Income the permit holder receives from abroad is not taxed in Indonesia: the permit is designed precisely for foreign income. Income from Indonesian sources or work for local companies would breach the permit's terms and attract separate taxes. Taxes in your country of citizenship depend on its rules: for example, someone who spends more than 183 days outside Russia in 12 consecutive months stops being its tax resident. So we calculate taxes in both countries before the move and provide a written calculation.

If you plan to open a business in Indonesia later, you need to move to an investor permit.

Why applications are refused

• Income below $60,000 a year or not backed by a contract and statements.
• The employer or clients are in Indonesia.
• Less than $2,000 in the account, or statements cover less than 3 months.
• The passport is valid for less than 6 months.
• No insurance, or it does not cover Indonesia.
• Previous breaches of stay rules in Indonesia or a visa overstay.

Before filing we match the contract against the statements and check document validity.

Where to live: Bali and beyond

Most remote workers choose Bali: Canggu and Ubud with coworking spaces, cafes and a community of newcomers. Jakarta suits those who need a big city and a business environment, and Lombok those who want somewhere quieter and cheaper. Rents in Bali have risen noticeably, and long leases are often paid for six months or a year upfront, so we look for housing in advance. For families with children international schools matter: most are in Jakarta and southern Bali, and places are booked several months ahead.

What changes in 2026

The permit terms in 2026 are unchanged: income from $60,000 a year, $2,000 in the account and a 1-year term. The key when filing is to show that the work is genuinely foreign, so the contract and statements must match. Before each filing we check the requirements and fee with immigration.

Who it suits and who it does not

The permit suits remote employees of foreign companies and freelancers earning $60,000 a year or more who want to live in Indonesia legally rather than keep extending a tourist stay. It does not suit those below the threshold, those who want local clients or a business in Bali, or those needing status for many years ahead: for that there are the second home visa and the investor permit.

Why it beats a tourist stay

On a tourist entry you can stay in Indonesia for a limited time and may not work, even remotely, if immigration considers it work. The remote worker permit gives a legal basis to live in the country for a year and work for a foreign employer, as well as rent long-term and open an account. During checks in Bali this is noticeably more comfortable.

Housing in Bali

Long-term rentals in Bali are usually paid six months or a year upfront, while monthly rent costs noticeably more. Before paying it is worth checking who the owner is, what is included and how the contract is drawn up. Demand is high in popular areas such as Canggu and Ubud, so seasonal housing is found in advance, and we align the lease dates with the permit.

Bank, connectivity and healthcare

With a stay permit you can open an Indonesian bank account and use local e-wallets, but it is more convenient to receive a salary into a foreign account. Private clinics in Bali and Jakarta are good, and complex cases are sometimes treated in neighbouring countries, so insurance should also cover evacuation. A mobile plan and internet are set up on your passport on the first day, and for working from home it is worth checking the connection speed in the chosen housing in advance.

The second year

The permit is issued for a year, and whether it can be extended depends on immigration rules when the term ends. So a few months before the end of the year we decide what comes next: re-application, the second home visa with a state bank deposit, or an investor permit through your own company. More on long-term options on the Indonesia residence page.

Where to start

Send us in the chat your contract with the employer or clients, statements for recent months and the area where you want to live. We will check whether income meets the $60,000 annual threshold, choose insurance and a sponsor and draw up a plan for the year ahead, including the second year. If your income is below the threshold for now, we suggest Malaysia or Thailand.

How to prove income

Employees show an employment contract with a foreign company stating an annual salary of at least $60,000 and the statements it is paid into. Freelancers attach client contracts, invoices and statements showing that annual income reaches the threshold. If income is in another currency, we convert it to dollars at the rate on the filing date and leave a margin so exchange rate swings do not push it below the threshold.

Cost of living

Living costs for one person excluding rent are about $600 a month, for a family of four about $1,500. A one-bedroom flat in town costs from $400 a month, while a villa in Bali is noticeably more expensive depending on the area and season. The main budget items are housing and transport: in Bali almost everyone gets around by scooter or with a driver.

Rules of stay

With the permit you must live at the registered address and report any change, and keep your passport and permit with you or to hand. You can leave the country and return within the permit's term. Violations such as working for local clients or overstaying lead to fines, removal and an entry ban.

Remote worker permit or long-term status

The remote worker permit is the fastest route but designed for one year. The second home visa gives 5 or 10 years but requires an IDR 2 billion deposit in a state bank. The investor permit is for those opening a business in Indonesia and requires a stake from IDR 10 billion. Many start with the remote worker permit and move to long-term status a year later, once they decide to stay.

Alternatives in Asia

Indonesia has the highest income threshold in the region, but also the clearest tax exemption for foreign income.

What we do

Murblz specialists check income and contracts, prepare documents, file the application through a sponsor, support the permit issue and help with housing in Bali or elsewhere. If your income does not qualify, we suggest Malaysia or Thailand. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat, and we fix the estimate in writing before work starts.

Why Indonesia

FAQ