Context
For a long time, remote workers came to Indonesia on tourist and socio-cultural visas and operated in a grey zone: such visas did not permit employment activity. In April 2024, the Directorate General of Immigration introduced a separate category—the Remote Worker Visa with index E33G, commonly referred to as the digital nomad KITAS. This is Indonesia's first status explicitly allowing a foreigner to reside in the country while working for a foreign employer.
What is E33G
E33G belongs to the KITAS category—temporary residence permits. The visa is issued for one year, allows multiple entries, and is renewable. The government's logic is transparent: the country legalizes the presence of in-demand specialists while simultaneously keeping them out of the local labor market. Hence the key condition—income must come from sources outside Indonesia.
Who it suits and what the requirements are
The visa is designed for employees of foreign companies and freelancers with overseas clients; geographically, the main center of attraction is Bali. Basic requirements: confirmed annual income of at least USD 60,000 (approximately USD 5,000 per month), account balance of around USD 2,000 over the past three months, valid passport, and medical insurance. Income from Indonesian companies and work in the local market are excluded.
Tax considerations
The visa itself contains no tax benefits. Under the general rule, an individual spending more than 183 days in Indonesia within twelve months is recognized as a tax resident and taxed on worldwide income. Whether a nomad's foreign income will actually be taxed depends on the duration of stay, the nature and source of income, and the applicable double taxation treaty. This is an area requiring individual calculation; the popular claim of "zero tax for nomads" has no direct relation to E33G status.
💡 E33G legalizes remote work in Indonesia, whereas tax status is determined separately—by the number of days spent in the country and the source of income. It makes sense to plan the visa and tax residency as two independent decisions.
Place in the flag system
In terms of five-flag theory, E33G covers Flag 5—physical presence and the place where a person actually lives. Flag 2, tax residency, remains a separate question: prolonged stay in Bali can imperceptibly make you a tax resident of Indonesia. Therefore, the route is usually combined with a well-thought-out tax base in another jurisdiction.
🍓 The visa ensures a year of comfortable and legal life in Bali; the tax configuration is built in advance and separately from visa status.
This material is prepared for educational purposes and reflects an expert overview, not individual advice. Thresholds, rates, and requirements change—verify current rules before applying and engage legal support if necessary.
Key factual claims
- E33G belongs to the KITAS category—temporary residence permits.
- In terms of five-flag theory, E33G covers Flag 5—physical presence and the place where a person actually lives.
- Related links: Digital nomad visas 2026 · Digital nomads: overview · Tax residency: basics · Thailand: foreign income tax · Malaysia MM2H · Immigration Indonesia (official).