Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Teases Digital Nomad Visa, As Bali Welcomes Tourists Again

Digital nomad visa mooted, tourists welcome to Bali

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Before the pandemic struck, Bali had been remote workers’ go-to spot, what with the many coliving and coworking spaces on the island and its surfing and dining opportunities. Now that tourists are allowed back into Bali on regular visas on arrival and visa exemptions, some people are wondering if they can score longer stays.

Travel-deprived workers and entrepreneurs who’ve ditched the 9-to-5 may be able to rejoice soon, as Indonesia has hinted at a digital nomad visa in future. Do note that this is not an official announcement – but here’s the scoop and where to stay tuned for future deets.

Read more!

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Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy raises idea of digital nomad visa

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Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno’s video taken in Bali, including the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
Video credit: Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno

As far as we can tell, the digital nomad visa is just a hope for now. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said in a Facebook post dated 14 June 2022 that his ministry was finalising the concept of a digital nomad visa for foreign citizens who wish to work from anywhere in Bali. He said in Bahasa Indonesia, “I’m optimistic that this will open up many new business and employment opportunities, encouraging the revival of the national economy!”

According to the South China Morning Post, this visa will let “remote workers and business-leisure travellers” stay in Indonesia for up to 5 years tax-free if their source of income is from outside Indonesia. Under consideration since early 2021, this idea that had been put on the backburner is now up for discussion again.

For now, if you’d like a taster of what it’s like to visit Bali or the rest of Indonesia, come as a tourist as long as you meet these conditions:

• Your passport is valid for 6 months from date of entering Indonesia
• You have a return or onward ticket to your country of departure or another country
• You have Rp. 500,000 for a visa on arrival fee if your country qualifies. Citizens of 72 countries are granted visas on arrival to Bali, and citizens from all ASEAN countries excluding Timor-Leste can enter Indonesia visa-free.
• You have downloaded the Indonesian Covid-19 contact tracing app PeduliLindungi
• You have uploaded your vaccination certificate to this government website
• You are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 for at least 14 days prior to departure date, with a few exceptions
• If you have been infected with Covid-19, you have a letter or recovery certificate from your doctor, hospital, or government ministry of health confirming that you no longer pose a transmission risk.
• If you are an unvaccinated traveller, or not fully vaccinated, you will be quarantined for 5 x 24 hours and need to show a medical certificate with the reason why you could not complete or receive your vaccination, and take a PCR test in Indonesia on your fourth day of arrival.

PCR testing is required for fully vaccinated travellers to Indonesia, though individual airlines have the right to impose their pre-departure testing requirements. Check with your country’s embassy in Indonesia before purchasing your flight tickets.

For foreigners, limited points of entry to Indonesia are open for now, including the Bali and Jakarta international airports. The full list of points of entry is here.

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G20 summit this November hypes up Bali as a tourist destination

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President Joko Widodo (first row, left of center) at the G20 summit last year in Italy.
Image credit: Alan Santos/PR/Government of Brazil – Planalto Palace/Wikimedia Commons

Global headlines are hyping the proposed digital nomad visa just as the 2022 G20 summit is slated to take place in Bali from 15th-16th November this year, with its countries’ global leaders –  including Putin – flying in. Notably, Indonesia is taking on the role of presidency till 30th November this year, focusing on three sectors of post-COVID recovery – rebuilding global health architecture, the transition to sustainable energy, and digital transformation.

Sandiaga Uno thus announced that he expects 3.6 million tourists to visit Indonesia in 2022, with 1.5 million visiting Bali, a number boosted by the G20 summit. So far, over 330,000 tourists have visited Bali from 1st January till 20th June, according to his speech cited by CNN Indonesia.

Hopefully, this meeting will rebuild confidence in travelling to Indonesia and the island much missed by not just digital nomads but also holiday-makers.

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Who to follow for Indonesia travel and digital nomad visa updates

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If this article has perked your interest in heading to Indonesia, follow the government’s tourism website Indonesia.travel, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website as well. And when it’s time to apply for visas, head to the Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia’s site and Facebook page.

And keep tabs on Mr. Sandiaga Uno’s Facebook page for clues as to what is to come for tourists.

For ideas on what to do in Bali, check out:

• Hey Beach Cafe
• Bali villages to visit
• Sacred Balinese temples
• Nandini Jungle Resort & Spa

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Cover image adapted from @evand_da_cruz and @wifitribe.co