Living in Bali Long-Term: Visa Options for Extended Stays

The visa that made Bali the world’s digital nomad capital

Bali — specifically Canggu — became arguably the world’s most popular digital nomad destination in 2021–2023, mostly on the basis of the B211 social visit visa that allowed repeated 60-day stays. The situation has evolved since, and in 2023 Indonesia launched a formal Digital Nomad Visa. Here’s the current landscape.

Indonesia’s Digital Nomad Visa (E33G)

Launched 2023. Allows a 5-year stay (the longest of any country’s nomad visa) for remote workers earning income outside Indonesia. Requirement: proof of income of at least $2,000/month, health insurance, no working for Indonesian companies. Cost: approximately $200–300 in fees. The 5-year duration is extraordinary — effectively a long-term residency for location-independent workers. Apply through Indonesian embassies or authorized agents.

The Retirement Visa

For those aged 55+: Indonesia’s retirement visa (KITAS) allows a 12-month renewable stay. Requirements include proof of pension income (~$1,500/month) and health insurance. Popular with retirees from Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan.

The social visa reality

Many long-term Bali residents still use the B211 social visit visa with monthly extensions — it’s flexible, doesn’t require proving income levels, and the immigration office in Renon handles extensions routinely. The risk: if immigration perceives you’re effectively living in Bali on a tourist visa, extensions can be refused. This risk increases with very long consecutive stays.

The practical nomad recommendation

For stays of 2–6 months, the B211 with extensions is the most practical option. For genuinely long-term residence (1+ year), the Digital Nomad Visa is now the clean, legal answer. Use a reputable Bali visa agent for either process.