Tropical Paradise of 17,000 Islands
The E33G is the only visa that explicitly permits remote work for foreign clients and comes with zero Indonesian income tax on those foreign earnings. However, it is limited to 60 days (extendable to 180) — not a long-term solution. Most long-stay nomads use rolling tourist visa extensions or apply for the Second Home Visa for multi-year stays. The Digital Nomad Visa is ideal if you want official legal clarity on your work status for a 3–6 month stay.
Yes. The Second Home Visa (E37) gives 5 or 10 years of residency. Alternatively, the investor KITAS — obtained by setting up a PT PMA company — gives a 1-year renewable stay permit. Some long-term residents use periodic visa runs to reset their tourist visa allowance, but this is a grey area and increasingly discouraged by immigration authorities.
Bali for lifestyle, community, natural beauty, and leisure. Jakarta for business networking, tech sector jobs, and connections into Indonesia's corporate world. Most expats and digital nomads overwhelmingly choose Bali — specifically the areas of Canggu (digital nomad hub), Seminyak (upscale dining and nightlife), and Ubud (jungle, culture, and wellness). Jakarta is the choice if your work specifically requires it.
Green School ($15,000–20,000/yr) offers a genuinely unique curriculum with a sustainability focus in extraordinary bamboo buildings. It is excellent for environmentally-minded families who value experiential learning. However, it is recognized primarily for its ethos and environment rather than for academic rigor or university preparation. Families prioritizing traditional academic pathways often prefer British School Jakarta or Bali International School instead.
Technically yes, and Indonesian public school is free. However, all instruction is in Bahasa Indonesia. For children who do not speak Bahasa, this is a significant barrier. Most expat families in Bali and Jakarta use international schools, or opt for homeschooling which is legal and flexible. Some nomad families use online school platforms (Acellus, Khan Academy, Connections Academy) combined with local activities.
A growing number of programs at top public universities (UI, ITB, UGM) offer English-medium instruction, particularly at the postgraduate level. Most undergraduate programs remain in Bahasa Indonesia. Private universities with international partnerships sometimes offer bilingual or English-track programs. The quality of English-language programs varies widely — research individual programs carefully.
Foreigners cannot hold freehold (Hak Milik) land title in Indonesia — this requires Indonesian citizenship. However, there are legal pathways: Hak Pakai (Right of Use) for up to 25 years plus extensions, long-term leasehold agreements (nominally 25–50 years), or through a PT PMA foreign-owned company for commercial property. Using an Indonesian nominee as the legal owner is legally risky and not recommended. The Second Home Visa program now allows eligible foreigners to purchase strata-title apartments above a minimum price threshold in designated areas.
Yes — this is one of Bali's great advantages. A private pool villa in Canggu typically costs $700–1,200 USD per month for a 1–2 bedroom. This includes full furnishing, pool maintenance, and often a weekly cleaning service. By global standards, having a private tropical villa with a pool for the price of a studio apartment in a Western city is genuinely excellent value, and it's the standard mid-range accommodation for expats in Bali.
Canggu: oceanside, surf breaks, high density of co-working spaces (Dojo, Outpost), cafes, bars, and nightlife. The energy is young, social, and active — the epicenter of Bali's digital nomad scene. Ubud: inland jungle and rice terraces, yoga studios, art galleries, Balinese temples, meditation retreats, no beach. Quieter, more traditional, cooler due to altitude. Many expats split time between both areas, using Canggu for work/social life and Ubud for retreats and slower living.
Be patient and warm. Indonesians value sincerity over speed. Best entry: language exchange (italki, Tandem), surf and yoga communities in Bali, co-working spaces (Dojo Bali, BWork, Outpost), volunteer with R.O.L.E. Foundation or Bumi Sehat, attend community arambai (gatherings). Accept invitations to weddings — even of strangers' relatives. Eat at warungs regularly; the warung auntie becomes a key social anchor.
For Bali tourist zones, no — English is everywhere. For Jakarta business and anywhere outside Bali, yes — even basic Bahasa transforms daily life. It is one of the world's easiest languages: phonetic, no verb conjugation, no plurals (just say the word twice — orang-orang = people). 3 months of casual study gets you ordering food, taking ojek, negotiating prices.
Generally yes — violent crime is rare. But petty theft (bag-snatching from scooters), spiked drinks at clubs, and dodgy methanol arak are real risks. Stick to branded liquor; don't ride scooters with a bag in the front basket; stay aware in Kuta nightlife. Catcalling exists but is mild. The wider risk for everyone in Bali is scooter accidents — leading cause of expat injury.
In Bali (Hindu): minimal impact, restaurants stay open. In Jakarta and Java: many restaurants close or curtain off until iftar (sunset); alcohol restricted at supermarkets; office hours shift earlier (often 8:00–15:00); traffic chaos at iftar time as everyone rushes home. Be respectful — don't eat or drink visibly on the street in Muslim-majority areas during fasting hours.