If you’re thinking about spending some time out of you UK, you might be looking at Bali.
From its beautiful beaches to lush jungles and affordable cost of living, it’s no surprise that Bali has become popular with digital nomads.
But if you want to live and work in Bali, it’s important that you have the right visa. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Bali A Good Place To Live?
Bali can be a great place to live as a digital nomad. It’s sunny, has great food and culture and is highly affordable, especially for those on UK salaries.
According to International Living, a couple can live happily for $1900 a month in Bali. Whilst some areas and accommodations might be more pricey, for those looking for a more affordable way of live, there are definitely areas in Bali that can accommodate.
Popular areas of Bali include:
Ubud: Perfect for those that love jungles, yoga and wellness.
Canggu: Seaside lovers that want an outdoor surf-style life.
Seminyak: Good for nightlife and buzz by the sea.
Things To Think About Before Moving To Bali
Before you move, there might be a few things to consider:
Where to live: Before you move, research the different possible areas for you to live. Think about prices, what type of lifestyle you want, and how many other westerners live in the area to make integration easier.
How to exchange money: Especially if you’re earning money with a UK company, you might want to think about how you plan to exchange your money into local Indonesian currency. Have a look at FX cards that might give you the best rates and minimal fees to avoid overpaying.
Time difference: Indonesia is 7 hours ahead of the UK, which might be a barrier for working. This means you will be online for 7 hours before your colleagues, think about how this might affect your work and put some ideas in place to make sure it doesn’t block productivity.
Language: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia. According to Cudy Technologies, 30.8% of Indonesians speak English, which might cause some language barriers. If you can, try and brush up on some easy phrases to help you integrate with the locals.
What Visa Options Exist For Digital Nomads In Bali?
If you’re looking to move to Bali as a digital nomad, you have to main options:
- Remote Worker KITAS (E33G Visa) – Best for long-term stays (1 year)
- B211a Business Visa – Best for short-term stays (up to 6 months)
Here’s how they differ:
The Remote Worker KITAS (E33G Visa)
The E33G Remote Worker KITAS is a one-year visa that will allow you to live and work in Bali whilst working for a company overseas.
The visa is perfect for those earning a salary outside of Bali, as well as entrepreneurs or freelancers.
Here are some key benefits of the visa:
- You can stay in Bali for up to a year and come and go as many times as you’d like
- It can be extended after a year
- Your family members can join under a dependent KITAS visa
- You can rent a property and buy a vehicle
- You can open an Indonesian bank account
- You don’t have to pay Indonesian income tax, as long as you are working for a company elsewhere
Who is eligible:
- Those who work remotely for companies outside of Indonesia
- People who earn at least $60,000 per year
Those on a KITAS visa can not work for Indonesian businesses – as this requires a different visa.
The processing time takes between 7-14 days and costs 12,500,000 IDR (£625) to process.
B211a Business Visa
For those looking for a shorter time commitment, this visa type allows you to live in Bali from 2-6 months whilst working remotely.
Whilst the visa is initially issued as a 60 day stay, this can be extended without leaving the country.
The benefits include:
- Being able to live and work from Bali for 6 months
- No need to supply any level of income
- No need to commit to a full year
Who is eligible:
- Those who work remotely for companies outside of Indonesia
- Freelancers or entrepreneurs
The processing time is relatively quick (1-2 weeks) and costs around £600.
Should You Move To Bali?
Bali can be a great place to live and work remotely from. Its affordability, lifestyle and easy visa options make it a great spot to live.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your visa process going and get one step closer to living in paradise.
