Visa Options in Indonesia: Choosing the Right Path (2025 Edition)
From digital nomads to retirees: A no-nonsense guide to staying in Indonesia legally.
If you’ve ever tried to read Indonesian immigration regulations, you probably ended up with a headache. The acronyms change, the codes shift (Goodbye B211A, Hello C-Series!), and the rumors on Facebook forums are enough to make you cancel your flight.
But here is the good news: In 2025, the system is actually more streamlined than ever—if you know what you are looking for.
Whether you are a Gen-Z creator looking for the ultimate “work from anywhere” setup or a Boomer seeking a peaceful retirement in Sanur, choosing the right visa is the foundation of your life here. Get it right, and you breeze through the Autogates at Ngurah Rai. Get it wrong, and you face deportation or daily fines (which, by the way, are now IDR 1,000,000 per day for overstay).
Let’s break down the best options available right now.
1. The “Just Visiting” Tier: Short & Sweet
Visa on Arrival (VOA – B1)
This is the classic. If you are landing in Bali for a holiday, a site inspection for your future villa, or a yoga retreat, this is what you use.
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Best For: Tourists, short-term scouting.
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Duration: 30 Days initial + 30 Days extension (Max 60 days total).
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Cost: IDR 500,000 (approx. $32 USD) for the initial visa.
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The 2025 Update: You can now apply for e-VOA online 14 days before you fly. This lets you use the Autogates at the airport. No queuing, no talking to officers, just scan and go.
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Strict Rule: You cannot work on this visa. No meetings with clients, no selling products.
2. The “Digital Nomad” Tier: The Remote Worker Visa (E33G)
For years, digital nomads operated in a grey area. In 2024/2025, Indonesia finally solidified the Remote Worker Visa (E33G). This is a game-changer for the laptop lifestyle crowd.
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Best For: Gen-Z/Millennials employed by companies outside Indonesia.
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Duration: 1 Year (Renewable).
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The Perk: You can legally live in Indonesia while working for your overseas employer. You can open a bank account and get a driver’s license.
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The Catch: You must prove an annual income of at least $60,000 USD and provide an employment contract from a company outside Indonesia.
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Tax Implication: You become a tax resident if you stay over 183 days. However, you are taxed on your global income, so consult a tax pro.
Pro Tip: Do not confuse this with the “Business Visa.” The Remote Worker visa allows you to earn money from abroad. A Business Visa is strictly for meetings where no money changes hands in Indonesia.
3. The “Entrepreneur” Tier: Investor KITAS (E28 Series)
If you read our guide on Setting Up a PMA, this is the visa that pairs with it. This is for the serious players who own a company.
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Best For: Business owners, active investors.
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Duration: 1 or 2 Years.
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Requirement: You must own at least IDR 10 Billion in shares in your PT PMA.
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The “Golden” Ticket: If you hold an Investor KITAS, you are no longer required to pay the DPKK fee ($1,200/year) that standard foreign employees must pay.
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Freedom: Multiple entry permissions are included. You can fly in and out of Jakarta or Bali as often as you like.
4. The “Long-Haul” Tier: Second Home & Golden Visa
This is where the Indonesian government is pivoting in 2025 to attract high-net-worth individuals, wealthy retirees (Boomers), and top-tier talent.
The Second Home Visa
The old “Retirement Visa” is being phased out/overshadowed by this robust option.
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Best For: Retirees, winter-birds, and those wanting a long-term base without setting up a business.
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Duration: 5 or 10 Years.
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The Price Tag: You must show proof of funds of roughly IDR 2 Billion (approx. $130,000 USD) deposited in a state-owned bank (Himbara) in Indonesia OR proof of luxury property purchase.
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Why Do It? It’s stability. No annual renewal trips to immigration. You are set for a decade.
The Golden Visa
The crème de la crème. Launched to compete with Singapore and Dubai.
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Best For: High-net-worth investors and global talent.
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Duration: 5 to 10 Years.
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Requirement: Significant investment. We are talking $350,000 to $700,000 USD invested in government bonds, public companies, or your own massive PMA.
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Perks: Priority lanes at airports, easier citizenship pathways later, and ultimate status.
5. The “Transitional” Hero: The Bridging Visa
New in the 2024/2025 regulations is the Bridging Visa.
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The Problem it Solves: In the past, if your KITAS expired and your new one wasn’t ready, you had to leave the country (a “visa run” to Singapore or KL).
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The Solution: The Bridging Visa allows you to stay legally in Indonesia while your new permit is being processed. It acts as a “bridge” between your old status and your new one.
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Gen-Z Benefit: Saves you money on flight tickets.
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Boomer Benefit: Saves you the physical stress of travel.
6. How to Choose? (A Quick Cheat Sheet)
Still confused? Here is the simplified breakdown based on your goal:
| Your Goal | The Visa You Need | Code Reference |
| Holiday / 2 Weeks | Visa on Arrival | B1 |
| Social Visit / 60 Days | Visit Visa (Single Entry) | C1 (formerly 211A) |
| Working Online (US/EU Job) | Remote Worker Visa | E33G |
| Starting a Business (PMA) | Investor KITAS | E28A / E28B |
| Retiring / Living Passive | Second Home Visa | E33E |
| Switching Visas Onshore | Bridging Visa | – |
7. A Warning on Compliance
In 2025, immigration enforcement has gone digital. They use facial recognition at borders and track overstays automatically.
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Don’t Work on a Tourist Visa: The “digital nomad” cafes are occasionally raided. If you are on a VOA, keep your laptop closed in public or stick to general browsing.
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Address Reporting: Ensure your landlord or hotel reports your stay (mandatory reporting).
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Scams: Just like with PMA setup, avoid “freelance agents” on Instagram offering visas that sound too good to be true. If they promise a 2-year working visa without a company sponsor, run. It’s likely a fake document that will get you detained at the airport.
Conclusion
Choosing the right path isn’t just about following rules; it’s about peace of mind. Whether you are chasing the surf in Uluwatu or building a villa empire in Lombok, the right visa is your key to the kingdom.
The days of dodging officers are over. The era of legitimate, long-term residency is here. It requires a bit more paperwork upfront, but the reward is a hassle-free life in paradise.
Would you like me to…
Draft a comparison table specifically for the tax implications of each visa type mentioned above? That is usually the next biggest question people have after “How do I get in?”
