Kitas for remote workers. Who can obtain it and how much does it cost?

Long-awaited news from Indonesian authorities. Finally, the coveted KITAS will be issued to those who spend the whole day with a laptop by the pool, have no local company, and receive a salary from abroad. Remote workers can now legally obtain this document, and the conditions and prices have already been announced.

Spoiler: There is one condition that might keep this new type of KITAS a distant dream for most enthusiasts.

So, the remote worker KITAS (Remote worker visa) is issued for 1 year and is officially called the E33G visa. With it, you can live in Indonesia, leave and return to the country an unlimited number of times. You can bring your family or open a bank account. Holders of this document enjoy the same rights and privileges as those provided, for example, for an investor KITAS. You can obtain local insurance, get discounts on tickets to attractions, and medical services.

However, it does not allow selling goods or providing services directly in Indonesia. You cannot open a business or hire employees. It is also prohibited to work, receiving compensation from individuals or companies on the territory of Indonesia, even remotely.

And now the most important thing. What is needed to apply for such a KITAS:

1. Passport valid for at least 6 months.

2. Bank statement with a minimum of $2000 for the last 3 months.

3. Photo.

4. Employment contract with a company registered outside Indonesia.

5. Cost: $150 + Rp2,700,000 (visa fee).

6. Proof of income in the form of a salary of at least $60,000 per year. You need to prove the existence of such an impressive salary with a bank statement. The extent to which immigration office employees will scrutinize the source of funds is currently unclear.

Assistance with visa processing can be obtained from LegalIndonesia. They can also provide answers to all additional questions.

Canggu is currently ranked 26th on the Nomad List, a website that gathers over 2,300 of the world's most popular "nomadic" destinations. Perhaps having a visa for digital nomads will increase the island's attractiveness to remote workers. Bali has dozens of co-working and living spaces, relatively stable internet, a favorable climate, and a relatively low cost of living, which has endeared it to expatriates.

So, social media managers, copywriters, and IT juniors, have you already decided to apply for such a KITAS? Share your thoughts on the new visa in the comments. Will you or anyone you know be applying for it?