Indonesia: Remote Worker Visa Implemented

• Validity. The visa is valid for up to one year. It is renewable for another subsequent year.
• Cost. The visa costs IDR 2,700,000 (approximately USD 150).
• Eligibility criteria. Interested applicants must:
  • Be employed by a foreign company outside of Indonesia;
  • Earn a minimum annual income of at least USD 60,000;
  • Submit proof of personal bank statement with minimum amount of USD 2,000 or equivalent in the last three months; and
  • Submit other supporting documents such as a passport (must be valid for at least 18 months, with 3 blank pages), photograph and proof of residence in Indonesia (e.g., hotel or apartment).
• Application process. The applicant must apply online through the official website and the application will be processed in eight to 10 days. Once the Remote Worker e-visa is issued, the holder must enter Indonesia within 90 days. Upon entering, the foreign national must obtain their Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) and Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit (MERP) and complete the local registration process including obtaining a police report and a residence permit.
• Dependents. The Directorate General of Immigration has not yet confirmed if legal spouses and unmarried children under the age of 19 may accompany the Remote Worker Visa holder or if they may work in Indonesia.
• Local work. Remote Work Visa holders are strictly prohibited from being employed by a company in Indonesia or from earning money in Indonesia by engaging in for profit activities.

This new category provides an immigration pathway for remote workers, which was previously not available.

• Economic recovery. The Remote Worker Visa is intended to attract foreign talent to help the Indonesian economy recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Continuing trend. Although remote worker visas and permits are not being introduced as rapidly as when the trend first started, we still see such tailored remote worker or digital nomad statuses being introduced over the past months, with more in the pipeline.
• Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.

It is likely that Indonesia will continue to implement innovative and relaxed immigration policies that will aid in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Fragomen will report on related developments.