Indonesia has set the bar high for digital nomads who might be considering a laid-back life of work and play in Bali.
Foreigners
seeking to live in Indonesia will need to show proof of the equivalent
of $US130,000 in the bank and have a passport valid for at least 36
months before they will be allowed to set down roots.
At the launch of a "second-home visa", Widodo Ekatjahjana,
Indonesia’s acting director general of immigration said foreign
nationals can stay for five or 10 years under the new visa if they meet
the financial criteria and included a résumé with their application.
The announcement doesn't spell out what work-related areas visa
holders will be expected to pursue other than "investment and other
activities”.
“This new visa is aimed at professionals, not necessarily digital
nomads, to make Bali their base,” said Miguel Latorre, head of the HR
Working Group at the European Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, who was
talking to Business Times.
“I don’t see a massive number of people being attracted, but it is a positive move by the Indonesian authorities,” he added.
The policy goes into effect 24 December.