Indonesia: The Next Digital Nomad Hotspot?

Could be the next digital nomad hotspot to welcome back remote workers? Displaced digital nomads worldwide are hopeful that this could become a reality. A group of freelancers and entrepreneurs based in is advocating for a nomad-style visa in Indonesia, similar to the programs other countries have introduced in response to the pandemic.

“We created a petition for a digital nomad visa to be presented to Joko Widodo, the Indonesian president,” explains Olúmidé Gbenro, the founder of a social media marketing agency run remotely from Bali. The petition has now gained over 2,000 signatures and has garnered enough attention to be reviewed by the Ministry of State Secretariat of Indonesia.

“We’ve been collaborating with a think tank that includes both public and private partners,” Olúmidé Gbenro states. “Our main objective is to reach 10,000 signatures, as social media chatter tends to influence change significantly in .”

Olúmidé, along with other digital nomads and local advocates, including lawyers and university lecturers, have engaged in discussions with government ministers to outline the benefits and logistics of such a visa. Local news sources describe it as a visa that would allow “foreigners to work while on holiday.” However, Olúmidé emphasizes that they are actually advocating for long-term visas with a minimum of one year of residency. Currently, discussions focus on determining the required income levels and quality controls necessary for such a visa.

While Indonesia, specifically Bali, has become one of the most sought-after digital nomad destinations in recent years, stringent visa policies have left many remote workers navigating a semi-legal existence in the country.

Before the pandemic, numerous long-term digital nomads relied on transient 30-day or 60-day tourist visas, frequently making visa runs to extend their stay. Consequently, Bali experienced significant digital nomad and tourist departures when lockdowns rapidly confined borders. The island’s economy, heavily reliant on both traditional tourism and income from the digital nomad community, faced a downturn as borders closed.

Janet Newenham, founder of the travel blog Journalist on the Run, has spent significant time living in Bali over the past four years. Janet shares, “The quality of life in Bali is incomparable. You can find incredible pool villas, rent a motorbike, and dine out daily for less than an apartment would cost me in Dublin. Bali is highly accommodating for nomads, with cafes offering fast Wi-Fi and co-working spaces emerging throughout the island, particularly in Canggu and Ubud.”

However, Janet indicates that Indonesia’s current visa policies directly influenced her decision to leave during the pandemic. “My visa was about to expire, and I was uncertain about the renewal process, which led to a hasty departure within three days. My flight was costly, and it was a nerve-wracking experience not knowing when I could return.”

Wahyu Taufiq, a local advocate working alongside Olúmidé, established the non-profit DIYacademy.org to enable Indonesian students to acquire digital skills, including graphic design and software development, from digital nomads living in Bali.

Wahyu highlights the mutual advantages of a remote working visa for both foreigners and locals. He envisions Bali as a flourishing digital hub, an essential shift that could help the island diversify its economy away from tourism, particularly since the sector faced a nearly total shutdown due to COVID-19.

“There should be a balanced approach where digital nomads can legally contribute to the local economy,” Wahyu expresses. “We hope that through this visa, we can attract diverse talents and skills globally, thereby bolstering the creative and digital economy rather than relying solely on tourism.” You can support the initiative for a digital nomad visa in Indonesia by signing the petition here.