Visa stuff is boring but important. Getting it wrong in Indonesia can mean fines, deportation, or just unnecessary stress. Getting it right means you can focus on building your company instead of worrying about immigration.
This guide covers the visa options that are actually relevant to founders and remote workers in 2026. We've kept it practical and skipped the options that don't apply to most readers.
Option 1: e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival)
This is the simplest option and the one most people start with. You apply online before your flight, pay about $32, and get a 30-day visa that you can extend once for another 30 days (extension costs around $30-35 at an immigration office).
Total stay: Up to 60 days. Cost: About $65 total. Good for: Your first trip to Bali, or short stays of 1-2 months.
The e-VOA technically doesn't authorize you to work, but it's widely used by digital nomads for short stays. For anything longer than 60 days, you need something else.
Option 2: B211A Visit Visa
This is the most common visa among long-stay founders and nomads. It starts as a 60-day visa and can be extended up to 180 days total (roughly six months). You'll need a visa agent to apply, which is standard practice in Indonesia.
Total stay: Up to 180 days. Cost: $350-500 through an agent (including all extensions). Good for: Founders staying 2-6 months.
The B211A is a visit visa, not technically a work visa. The legal gray area here is that you're "visiting" Indonesia while working for a company outside Indonesia. Most nomads and founders use this visa without issues, but it's worth understanding that it's not a dedicated work permit.
Use a reputable visa agent. Cheap agents sometimes cut corners, and you won't find out until you try to leave the country and discover your extensions weren't properly filed. Ask your coliving space or coworking community for recommendations.
Option 3: E33G Remote Worker Visa
This is the big one. Launched in 2024, the E33G is Indonesia's dedicated visa for remote workers employed by companies outside Indonesia. It's valid for one year with multiple entries, and it's the cleanest legal path for working remotely from Bali long-term.
Total stay: 1 year (renewable). Cost: About $800-950 through an agent (the government fee is around 7-15 million IDR depending on onshore/offshore application). Good for: Founders or remote workers earning $60K+ per year who want to stay 6-12 months.
The requirements: a valid passport (6+ months remaining), proof of employment or contract with a foreign company, minimum annual income of $60,000, bank statements showing at least $2,000 over the past 3 months, and a clean criminal record.
The $60,000 income requirement is the main hurdle. If your startup is paying you less than that, or you're a freelancer without a company contract, you'll need to use the B211A instead.
One major perk: the E33G may exempt you from Indonesian income tax on foreign-sourced earnings. The rules around this are still evolving, so talk to a tax professional rather than relying on blog posts (including this one).
Option 4: Second Home Visa
This is for people who want to stay in Indonesia for 5-10 years. The main requirement is showing significant savings or assets (typically $100,000+ in a bank account). It's overkill for most founders unless you're planning to make Bali your permanent base.
Total stay: 5-10 years. Cost: Higher upfront fees. Good for: Wealthy individuals or founders who've decided Bali is home.
What We Recommend
For your first trip: start with an e-VOA. It's cheap, fast, and gives you 30-60 days to figure out if Bali is right for you.
If you decide to stay longer: switch to a B211A for your next visit. Work with a local agent and plan your extensions in advance.
If you're making over $60K/year and want to be here for a year or more: the E33G is worth the extra cost. It's the most legitimate option, it simplifies re-entry (since it's multi-entry), and it may have tax advantages.
Whatever you choose: don't overstay your visa. Indonesia takes immigration seriously, and the consequences range from fines to blacklisting. When in doubt, ask a professional.
