Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa: The Complete E33G Guide (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

So you want to live in Indonesia legally while working remotely. Maybe you've been doing visa runs every 60 days, or you're still on a tourist visa telling yourself it's fine. It isn't, and Indonesia has made that very clear in 2026.

The good news is that Indonesia has a proper solution: the E33G visa, the country's first purpose-built residence permit for remote workers. This guide covers everything you need to know before you apply.

What Is the E33G Visa?

The E33G is officially called the "Visa Rumah Kedua Pekerja Jarak Jauh", which translates roughly to "Second Home Remote Worker Visa." It launched on April 1, 2024, and it is the only Indonesian visa category specifically designed for people who work remotely for companies based outside of Indonesia.

Unlike the B211A tourist/social visa that most nomads have historically used, the E33G is a proper ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas), a Limited Stay Permit. In practice, people use the terms ITAS, KITAS (the physical card version), and E33G interchangeably. They all refer to the same permit.

It gives you one year of legal residency in Indonesia, multiple-entry travel, and, critically, the legal right to be in the country while doing your remote work.

Legal basis: The E33G sits within Indonesia's post-Omnibus Law immigration framework. The key regulation is Permenkumham No. 22 Tahun 2023, amended by No. 11 Tahun 2024, alongside the fee structure in PP No. 45 Tahun 2024.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the E33G, you need to meet these requirements:

Employment type: You must work for, or be contracted to, a company registered outside of Indonesia. The key phrase in the official documentation is "employment contract with a company established outside Indonesia."

Income threshold: You need to demonstrate a minimum annual income of USD 60,000 (roughly USD 5,000/month). This is documented through your employment contract and bank statements.

Bank statement: You need to show at least USD 2,000 in your account over the last 3 months. The statement must match your passport name exactly.

Passport validity: Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months, though agents typically recommend 12-18 months to avoid issues.

Nationality: Most nationalities are eligible. The commonly cited exceptions include Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Israel, Kosovo, Liberia, Nigeria, North Korea, and Somalia. Always verify the current list before applying.

What About Freelancers?

This is the grey zone that nobody has a clean answer for. The official requirement says "employment contract with a company established outside Indonesia," which strictly speaking points to traditional employment. Several reputable agents report success using freelance client contracts, retainers, and home-country tax returns as evidence, but others are clear that self-employed applicants face real rejection risk.

If you're a freelancer, get written confirmation from a licensed agent who has recent experience with this before you submit anything.

What Documents Do You Need?

Per the official eVisa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id), the required documents are:

• Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
• Personal bank statement from the last 3 months showing at least USD 2,000 (must show your name, the period, and the balance)
• Recent colour photograph
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Travel itinerary
• Proof of income of at least USD 60,000/year (bank records, payslips, or contract)
• Employment contract with a company registered outside Indonesia

All documents must be in English or translated into English.

One thing worth noting: health insurance valid in Indonesia is not officially listed as a requirement on the portal, but it's a standard expectation across KITAS applications and most agents will include it on their checklist. Get it sorted before you apply.

How to Apply

The application goes through Indonesia's official eVisa system at evisa.imigrasi.go.id (the Molina platform).

Here's the basic flow:

Step 1: Create an account on evisa.imigrasi.go.id and select the E33G category.

Step 2: Upload your documents and pay the official government fee.

Step 3: Wait for approval. Officially 5 working days after payment. With agent prep and offshore processing, expect 7-14 business days in practice.

Step 4: Receive your e-Visa and enter Indonesia within 90 days.

Step 5: Complete biometrics and convert your e-Visa to an ITAS/KITAS card at your local immigration office.

Step 6: Obtain your MERP (Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit), which allows you to travel in and out freely.

Step 7: Register your local domicile. In Bali, this means registering with your local Banjar within 30 days of arrival.

One important note on applying from inside Indonesia

The offshore route (applying from abroad) is the recommended path. You cannot convert a standard Visa on Arrival into an E33G onshore. If you're already in Indonesia on a C1 visit visa, an onshore conversion may be possible, but takes longer and comes with more restrictions. When in doubt, go home, apply, and come back on your e-Visa.

Do you need a sponsor?

No. The E33G is one of the few KITAS types that does not require a local sponsor or guarantor (penjamin). This is a significant practical advantage over most other residence permits.

How Much Does It Cost?

The official government fees (per PP 45/2024) break down as:

Note: you'll also pay a small Exit Permit Only (EPO) fee of around IDR 100,000 when you eventually leave.

With an agent: Total costs typically run USD 1,100-1,600+ depending on the agent, whether you apply onshore or offshore, and processing speed. Agent service fees alone range from roughly USD 300 to USD 1,000.

If you've seen older figures citing IDR 2,700,000 (around USD 150), those are outdated. The fee structure was updated by PP 45/2024 in late 2024.

How Long Is It Valid? What About Renewal?

The E33G is valid for one year, multiple-entry (with MERP).

Here's where it gets complicated, and where most blogs gloss over the most important part.

The official immigration website (imigrasi.go.id) states the permit "can be extended" and that extensions can be processed online. But it does not specify how many times you can extend. This has led to wildly different claims across agents and sources: some say one additional year (maximum 2 years total), some say up to five extensions (6 years total), and others say there is no true in-country renewal at all, that you must exit Indonesia on an Exit Permit Only and re-apply from scratch each year.

The practical reality reported by multiple agents in 2026 is that "renewal" usually means exit-and-reapply. Budget for an annual exit flight and roughly 2-4 weeks abroad.

The E33G also does not lead to permanent residency (KITAP).

What Can (and Can't) You Do on This Visa?

You can:

• Work remotely for your overseas employer or foreign clients
• Travel freely in and out of Indonesia while your MERP is valid
• Open a local bank account
• Sign long-term rental leases
• Bring dependents (spouse, children, parents) on their own KITAS, this became possible in December 2025

You cannot:

• Receive any payment, wages, or compensation from Indonesian companies or individuals
• Sell goods or services in Indonesia
• Run a local Indonesian business
• Provide services to Indonesian clients, even if paid in a foreign currency
• Rent out rooms in your villa as a business

The legal test is about the source of your income and to whom your services are offered, not where your laptop sits. A single paid project for an Indonesian client is enough to put you in violation.

If you want to work for an Indonesian company, you need a Work KITAS (E23). If you want to invest or run a PT PMA, you need an Investor KITAS (E28A).

Taxes: The Part Most Blogs Get Wrong

The "E33G = no taxes" claim is far too simple, and it's worth understanding the real picture before you commit to a year in Indonesia.

The 183-day rule: If you spend more than 183 days in Indonesia in any rolling 12-month period, you can be classified as an Indonesian tax resident (SPDN). Tax residents must register for an NPWP (tax ID number) and file an annual return. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates of 5-35%.

PER-23/PJ/2025 (effective December 9, 2025): This new regulation moved Indonesia from a purely day-count test to a substance-based assessment. It also integrated immigration and tax data into a unified system. In practice, this means a long-term KITAS combined with a long lease can now be read as "intent to reside," potentially triggering tax residency before you hit day 184.

The relief — but read the fine print: Under PMK-18/2021 (part of the Omnibus Law), qualifying foreigners with "particular expertise" can apply for territorial taxation for their first four fiscal years of residency, meaning foreign-sourced income is exempt during that window. But this is not automatic. It requires meeting specific skill criteria and formally applying to the Directorate General of Taxation (DGT).

Indonesia has tax treaties with 71 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Your home country's treaty may reduce your exposure further.

The honest bottom line: whether you owe Indonesian tax depends on your number of days, how long your lease is, your home-country treaty, and whether you apply for the four-year exemption. Consult a cross-border tax advisor before you arrive if you're planning to stay long-term. This is not an area to guess about.

E33G vs. B211A vs. Other KITAS Options

Not sure which visa is right for you? Here's a plain-language breakdown:

B211A Visit Visa

Single-entry, 60 days, extendable up to around 180 days total. Costs roughly USD 150-400 with an agent. Does not authorise any kind of work. Historically the default nomad route, now actively enforced against.

Best for: stays under 6 months, or if you cannot meet the USD 60,000 income threshold.

E33G Remote Worker KITAS

One year, multiple-entry, foreign income only, USD 60,000 income threshold, no local sponsor required. The right choice for serious remote workers planning to stay 6-12+ months.

Best for: remote employees and contractors with a verifiable overseas employer and solid income documentation.

Work KITAS (E23)

For people employed by an Indonesian company. Requires employer sponsorship and is significantly more expensive (USD 2,500-4,000+ all-in for one year). Not relevant for remote workers with foreign employers.

Second Home Visa / Golden Visa

For high-net-worth individuals. The Second Home Visa requires a deposit or property investment of around IDR 2 billion (approximately USD 130,000) for a 5-10 year permit. The Golden Visa starts from USD 350,000 in investment. Way out of scope for most nomads, but worth knowing exists.

What's Changed in 2025-2026

December 2025: Dependent KITAS became available for E33G holders. You can now sponsor family members (spouse, children, parents) on their own permits tied to yours.

December 2025: PER-23/PJ/2025 took effect, introducing the substance-based tax residency test and integrating immigration and tax records.

2026 enforcement surge in Bali: This is not a drill. Bali's Dharma Dewata Immigration Patrol Task Force launched on April 15, 2026 with around 100 officers actively patrolling Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Kerobokan, and Uluwatu. They also monitor social media for evidence of working without proper permits.

In the first three weeks alone, the task force detained 62 foreign nationals. Between January and July 2025, roughly 2,600 foreign nationals were deported from Bali according to government data. The Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko has made the government's position clear: comply or leave.

Even unpaid influencer collaborations and villa-stay barters have been treated as economic activity that requires proper authorisation.

Practical Tips Before You Apply

Your bank statement is the most common rejection reason. Avoid large deposits right before pulling your statement — it looks like borrowed funds. Make sure the name on the statement matches your passport exactly, and that the deposits align with your payslips or contract amounts.

"Renewal" is not the same as extending your stay. Plan to exit Indonesia and re-apply annually. Budget for a flight and several weeks abroad.

Do not take a single local gig. One project for an Indonesian client or business is a violation. It is not worth the risk.

Track your days. Know when you're approaching 183 days. If you're planning a long stay, talk to a tax advisor before you arrive — not after.

Verify your agent. Check for a real registered office and recent reviews. Agent prices, processing times, and interpretation of the rules change frequently. Never rely on information that's more than a few months old.

You cannot convert from a Visa on Arrival. Arrive on the right visa or apply offshore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the E33G while already in Indonesia? Possibly, if you're on a C1 visit visa, but the offshore route is significantly smoother and faster. Most people apply from abroad.

Do I need a sponsor? No. The E33G does not require a local sponsor, which makes it simpler than most other KITAS types.

Can my family come with me? Yes. Since December 2025, E33G holders can sponsor dependents (spouse, children, parents) on their own KITAS. Each family member's permit is separate and tied to the main holder's validity period.

What happens if I earn any money from an Indonesian source? This puts you in violation of your visa conditions. You must only receive income from companies and clients registered outside Indonesia.

Is the E33G renewable? Officially yes, but the practical reality is that most applicants exit and re-apply annually. See the section on validity above.

Does the E33G count as a work permit? It is a residence permit that authorises remote work for foreign employers. It is not a work permit that lets you work for Indonesian companies or take local contracts.

Will I pay taxes in Indonesia? Potentially, yes, especially if you stay more than 183 days. See the tax section above, and consult a professional before you go.

Is the E33G Right for You?

If you earn USD 60,000+ per year from a foreign employer and you're planning to spend a serious chunk of time in Indonesia, the E33G is the right choice. It's the only legal route that gives you proper residency as a remote worker, it doesn't require a local sponsor, and it's fully above board with Indonesian immigration.

The old workaround of "working" on a B211A is genuinely risky now. The enforcement is real, the fines and deportations are real, and the multi-year entry bans for serious violations are real.

Get the right visa, track your tax exposure, and you can live in Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, or wherever else calls you with full peace of mind.

Want Help Navigating the Process?

The E33G paperwork is manageable, but the details, income thresholds, bank statement requirements, agent choices, tax implications, can trip people up fast.

We put together a step-by-step guide for IndonesiaNomads readers covering exactly how to prepare your documents, which agents are worth using, and how to handle the tax question before it becomes a problem.

Sign up for the IndonesiaNomads newsletter and we'll send it straight to your inbox — along with regular updates on Indonesian immigration rules, cost of living, and everything else you need to make the move work.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Immigration regulations and fee structures change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the official Indonesian immigration portal (imigrasi.go.id) or a licensed immigration professional before applying.

Sources: Directorate General of Immigration, Official eVisa Portal FAQ, Fragomen, Emerhub, Employsome