Allowed to do remote work in Indonesia on b211a visa?

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Mungkin_tahu New member

Member since 18 April 2022

Mungkin_tahuNew member18 April 2022 13:37:15

Hi guys, people, community,

I did my research already and read different explanations about the visa regulations in Indonesia for remote workers.

It is actually the classic question but still I didn't got an answer to that which gives me the feeling to be sure about this.

That's why I want to ask here again.

I have a working contract in my home country and keep myself registered in my home country. But I actually only need a laptop and internet for my work. I won't have to do anything with Indonesian customers, projects, partners or anything else. I also get paid to my bank account in my home country and will pay taxes in my home country (-> means I will stay max 183 days in Indonesia)

Can I travel to Indonesia with the available visa like b211a for traveling and meet with my girlfriend and friends and work on my laptop? Is that legal or would this count as illegal work in Indonesia? I mean my main reason is to visit my girlfriend there and keep other relationships with family and friends, it is not to go to Indonesia for work. So is this legal or not legal?

I mean I won't take any vacancy from the local job market but instead I keep earning money for/in my home country which I then spend in Indonesia and support the indo economy, right?

But despite this fact, what is the legal perspective to this?

I understand that it is a bit a Grey zone? But what are the known facts and the ones in practice living in that way in indo?

Thx!

TeacherLukeWilson Member

Member since 01 January 2022

TeacherLukeWilsonMember18 April 2022 14:00:57

@Mungkin_tahu I am.a computer programmer and I have often had this problem in various countries.

The first thing is that different countries have different rules and the best way to get the correct answer is to directly email the gov department that you would apply for an employment pass to and ask them the question directly. Go to the source.

1 you have the best chance of getting the correct information

2 if you get the wrong info you have an email to show that you asked and you had zero intention of breaking any rules (im tje email use the exact words 'I am asking this to avoid accidental / unintentionally breaking any rules to make your intention very clear.

3 ALWAYS have proof of your employment in your own country and proof of payments into your bank.in your own country in your pocket to prove the truth whenever needed very quickly and easily.

Cover yourself in every way you can to be safe. I.habe used these methods and never had any serious problems.

TeacherLukeWilson Member

Member since 01 January 2022

TeacherLukeWilsonMember18 April 2022 14:06:10

@Mungkin_tahu another option that you can look into is to register a company in the country you want to stay in and get a contract from your company to that company.

Yes thianja more complicated but it allows you more than 183 days and removed the questions of working here living there.

Getting an.emlloyment pass as the director is a very different thing to getting employment as an employee in almost every country

This depends on your situation and requirements for the time you want to stay in a country but is an option

Mungkin_tahu New member

Member since 18 April 2022

Mungkin_tahuNew member18 April 2022 14:18:17

Thx so far for your replies. Registration of a company or set up at pt pma etc is pretty expensive and won't make any sense in my case (maybe in others it does)

@ teacher Luke, did you stay in Indonesia and staying with remote work on your laptop too or where did you stay with this style of living so far?

In general you are absolutely right, I agree.

But I can imagine it will be pretty difficult or even make me more confused in case of Indonesia, because many people won't know so they don't give a reply to that question or maybe won't just say 'no, not allowed' to make sure they can't get into trouble afterwards.

In reality it could also end up like this: people transfer and direct me to another person who should be responsible for these things. And I will get different answers to that question from different people even if they are from the same governmental institution. I had this in the past already when it was about visa stuff (question about single / multiple entry)

Cyclocarpum Member

Member since 16 April 2021

CyclocarpumMember19 April 2022 00:00:44

I am going through the same process, and thinking into going to Indonesia for more than 60 days (which is the max you can get from VOA or tourist visa) wanna add?

bennl Contributor

Member since 13 October 2021

bennlContributor19 April 2022 04:36:23

176

@Mungkin_tahu what you do is speculate, and it is irrelevant, what Luke is saying is imo correct; ask the authorities. Chances are you will get a response, and IF they would say it's allowed you have this in writing and got yourself covered. Another option would be, to stay under the radar and not let the whole world know.

Mungkin_tahu New member

Member since 18 April 2022

Mungkin_tahuNew member19 April 2022 13:42:58

@Mungkin_tahu what you do is speculate, and it is irrelevant, what Luke is saying is imo correct; ask the authorities. Chances are you will get a response, and IF they would say it's allowed you have this in writing and got yourself covered. Another option would be, to stay under the radar and not let the whole world know.
- @bennl

Yes.

How are other people here living in indonesia and how are their experiences? Anyone want to share ?

bennl Contributor

Member since 13 October 2021

bennlContributor20 April 2022 02:06:20

176

@Mungkin_tahu But do keep us posted IF you decide on contacting the government.

Mungkin_tahu New member

Member since 18 April 2022

Mungkin_tahuNew member20 April 2022 06:16:27

@Mungkin_tahu But do keep us posted IF you decide on contacting the government.
- @bennl

which govermental department would I need to contact in this case here?

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert20 April 2022 13:15:07

#10

28303

Immigration.

Be honest, but be sure to make sure they know the cash will not be generated here, just spent.

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert27 April 2022 23:48:51

#11

28303

Caveat emptor - I have no idea who these people are, how much they will charge you, or how legal their offer is

https://www.pnbimmigrationlawfirm.com/d … esia-bali/

https://emerhub.com/lp/kitas-indonesia- … mads-bali/

Reading up, the two issues in play appear to be visa regulations and lack of tax payments to the government. Keep those two points in mind.

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