All destinations
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ
Visa: Relatively easySoutheast Asiatropical

Indonesia

17,000 islands. One of them is called Bali. You know about Bali.

๐Ÿ›‚
5 or 10 years
Second Home Visa
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Below $1,500/mo comfortably
Bali cost
๐Ÿ๏ธ
17,000+
Islands
๐Ÿ•
3 (yes, really)
Time zones

The honest take

Indonesia is the fourth-most-populous country on earth spread across an archipelago the size of a continent, so any generalisation about it is wrong by definition. That said: Bali is real and it is extraordinary, and the Second Home Visa (5 or 10 years, no income requirements, renewable) makes it one of the few countries where long-term legal stay for remote workers is genuinely accessible without a local employer or a business. Jakarta is a megalopolis of 30 million people that is either inspiring or overwhelming depending on your traffic tolerance. Lombok, Flores, and the eastern islands are for people who found Bali too crowded circa 2015. The food is good everywhere, the internet in Bali is surprisingly capable, and the rice paddies will make you question every career decision that led to an open-plan office.

Cost of living

USD 900
per month, single person
(rent + food + transport)
USD 1,500
per month, couple
(shared accommodation)
2/10
Cost index
1 = cheapest, 10 = Singapore

Estimates from Numbeo and community data. Actual costs vary by city, lifestyle, and how much you're willing to cook.

Practical details

Languages
Indonesian
English: Moderate -- learnable
Internet
55 Mbps avg
In major cities. Varies by building and landlord willingness.
Popular cities
Bali (Canggu, Ubud), Jakarta, Lombok, Yogyakarta

Visa options

These are the main legal pathways. Requirements vary by nationality. Always verify with the official embassy or a qualified immigration lawyer.

B211A Social Visa
Second Home Visa (5/10yr)
KITAS (Sponsored)
Investor KITAS

Curated resources

Vetted links โ€” official sources, active communities, and useful tools. Spotted something missing? Use the โ€˜Improve this pageโ€™ button below.

Guides

logistics7 min read

How to actually choose your first country

The framework most people skip that separates those who move from those who keep researching. Spoiler: it's not about finding the perfect place.

visa10 min read

Visa types for digital workers: the no-jargon guide

Tourist visa, digital nomad visa, freelancer visa, skilled worker visa โ€” what they actually mean and which one is yours.

Not sure if Indonesia is right for you?

Take the Reality Check quiz. We'll profile your readiness and give you a shortlist of destinations that actually match where you are right now.

Take the Reality Check