Digital nomadism is becoming an attainable goal for many, and Indonesia wants to set itself up as the ideal location for these traveling professionals.
According to Indonesia’s tourism minister Sandiaga Uno, the country is creating a digital nomad visa in order to bring in new visitors to the country.
“In the past, the ‘three S’ was sun, sea and sand. We’re moving it to serenity, spirituality and sustainability,” said Uno.
The visa would be eligible for five years — the longest of its kind in the world — and visitors would not be taxed by the country for money made overseas.
The average digital nomad visa ranges from one to two years, and the longest is a four-year stay in Mexico.
At the moment, visitors can receive a 60-day maximum tourist visa or retrieve a six-month work permit. However, those who stay in the country for longer than 183 days will automatically become a local tax resident.
In short, the new digital nomad visa would regulate what current workers in Bali are doing, without jumping through the hoops of applying for extensions every few months and reduce the risk of increased taxation.
Tourism in Southeast Asia has tumbled in wake of the pandemic. Rather than focusing on just traditional travelers, Indonesia hopes that bringing in professionals can help revitalize its economy.
