It’s one of the most searched – and most misunderstood – questions about Bali.
Can you stay in Bali on a tourist visa and run your online business remotely?
The short answer:
You can stay. But you need to understand the legal grey areas very clearly.
Let’s break it down properly.
What a Tourist Visa in Bali Actually Allows
When you enter Bali on a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or e-VOA, you are legally classified as a tourist.
That means:
• You are not allowed to work for an Indonesian company
• You cannot earn income from Indonesian sources
• You cannot provide services to Indonesian clients
• You cannot receive payment inside Indonesia
This is strict.
If immigration finds you working locally — for example teaching, freelancing for Bali-based clients, managing a restaurant, or running events — you risk fines, deportation, and blacklisting.
But what about remote online work?
Remote Work for Foreign Clients – Is It Legal?
This is where things get unclear.
Indonesia does not currently have a specific “digital nomad visa” in place.
Technically:
If your income comes from outside Indonesia
If your clients are outside Indonesia
If your payments go to a foreign bank account
If you are not engaging in the Indonesian market
You are not directly violating employment law.
However — and this is important — a tourist visa is still meant for tourism, not residency.
Immigration officers can question:
• Long stays with repeated extensions
• Frequent visa runs
• Obvious business activity
• Public advertising of services inside Bali
Many people live this way quietly. But it is not a formally protected legal status.
It’s tolerated more than officially permitted.
The Risk of Living Long-Term on Tourist Visas
Some foreigners do “visa runs” every 60 days for years.
That used to work easily.
Today, immigration scrutiny is much stricter.
Red flags include:
• Too many consecutive entries
• Social media showing business activity
• Tax residency conflicts
• Staying more than 183 days per year
Indonesia is slowly modernising immigration systems. You don’t want to build a life based on a loophole that may close.
Tax Implications – The Part Most Blogs Ignore
If you stay in Indonesia more than 183 days within 12 months, you can become a tax resident.
Even if your income comes from abroad.
That means Indonesia could legally claim tax rights over your global income.
Very few travel blogs explain this properly.
If you’re building serious revenue, speak to a tax advisor. Especially if you’re scaling e-commerce, freelancing, crypto trading, or consulting.
When You Actually Need a Business Structure
If you:
• Hire staff in Bali
• Sell products inside Indonesia
• Open a café, gym, agency or co-working space
• Run retreats or workshops locally
Then you need a PT PMA (foreign-owned company).
Using nominee structures or “borrowing” local licenses is risky and increasingly audited.
So… Can You Do It?
Practically speaking:
Yes, many people live in Bali on tourist visas and run online businesses quietly.
Legally speaking:
You are in a grey area unless you hold the proper visa.
If you want stability and peace of mind, consider:
• A KITAS visa
• An investor visa
• A proper PT PMA setup
Especially if you plan to stay long-term.
The Smart Way to Think About It
Ask yourself:
Are you testing Bali for a few months?
Or are you building a life here?
Short-term remote work while traveling is one thing.
Long-term residency without structure is another.
Bali is not anti-digital nomads. But it is not a lawless playground either.
Build properly if you’re serious.
