Back to blog

What’s Better for Long-Term Stay in Bali: a Remote Worker KITAS or a D12 Visa?

Many foreigners planning a long-term stay in Bali often have to choose between the D12 visa and the Remote Worker KITAS.
Both allow you to stay in Indonesia for an extended period, but they differ significantly in terms of legal status, rights, and benefits.

Legal Status

The main difference between the Remote Worker KITAS and the D12 visa lies in your legal position as a foreigner in Indonesia.

The Remote Worker KITAS is an official residence permit that confirms your legal status in the country.
It grants nearly the same rights as other residents of Indonesia and allows you to live legally, work online for foreign companies or clients, and access services unavailable to holders of tourist visas.

The D12 (Pre-Investment Visa), on the other hand, is a temporary visa that does not grant residency rights and significantly limits your legal capabilities.
Its primary purpose is to allow foreigners to stay in Indonesia to study the market and prepare for opening a business—not for permanent living or remote work.

Advantages of the Remote Worker KITAS

Compared to the D12 visa, obtaining a Remote Worker KITAS offers far more opportunities:

  • the ability to open bank accounts in Indonesian banks;

  • apply for a Family KITAS for your spouse and children;

  • purchase and register a vehicle in your own name;

  • obtain an Indonesian driver’s license;

  • apply for visas to other countries directly from Indonesia.

All these benefits make the KITAS not just a visa but a comprehensive and secure solution for comfortable long-term living in Bali.

Legal Right to Work Online

Under the D12 visa, any form of work — including remote work — is prohibited.
In contrast, the Remote Worker KITAS allows you to legally work online for companies or clients outside Indonesia, fully complying with local immigration laws.

This distinction is crucial: immigration checks in Bali are conducted regularly, and even remote professionals on tourist visas risk fines or deportation.
Having a Remote Worker KITAS completely eliminates these risks.

Duration and Extensions

The D12 visa requires regular extensions or a visa run (leaving and re-entering the country) after 180 days.

The Remote Worker KITAS is issued for 12 months and does not require any extensions during that time.
If you wish to stay longer, it can be renewed for another year without leaving Indonesia.

Reputation and Visa History

Holding a KITAS helps establish a positive visa and residency history.
For consulates of developed countries, it serves as proof of stability and lawful residence — unlike tourist or temporary visas, which may raise concerns when applying for Schengen, UK, or US visas.

Cost

At first glance, the D12 visa appears to be the more affordable option.
However, when considering long-term living, the difference in cost becomes less significant.

  • D12 Visa: valid for 180 days at a cost of 7,500,000 IDR.
    It can be extended for another 180 days for 7,000,000 IDR,
    or replaced by a visa run (leaving and re-entering Indonesia), which also involves additional travel and accommodation expenses.

  • Remote Worker KITAS: valid for 1 year and costs 15,000,000 IDR.
    It requires no extensions, allows unlimited entry and exit from Indonesia, and eliminates the hassle of visa runs or tracking expiry dates.

    Conclusion

The D12 visa is a suitable option for your first winter in Bali or short-term stays.
However, if you’ve been living on the island for a while, work remotely, or have already used the D12 or other tourist visas, the best choice is to switch to aRemote Worker KITAS.

Moreover, we do not recommend overusing the D12 visa.
It is classified as a pre-investment visa intended for specific purposes — market research and business preparation.
Repeated renewals or reapplications may raise questions from immigration authorities about whether the visa is being used properly.

Legal Indonesia assists with obtaining all types of KITAS, as well as tourist and business visas in Indonesia.
Always work with trusted, licensed agencies to ensure your visa and stay are fully compliant with Indonesian law.

You may also like
22/10/2025When the Developer Disappears: How to Resolve a Conflict Without Court?

Sometimes unforeseen difficulties arise during construction. Our clients faced a situation where the developer stopped communicating and ignored all attempts to make contact. This happened because the construction company failed to meet the real

12/10/2025Roof and Wall Leaks 8 Months After Villa Completion

Our client invested in building a villa in Bali. The contract that the contractor proposed to him appeared simple and 'standard': price, deadlines, scope of work. There were no clauses regarding material quality guarantees or defect rectifications.

01/10/2025Top 3 Accounting Mistakes in Indonesia — and How to Avoid Them

Running a business in Indonesia as a foreign-owned company involves many nuances. Even experienced accountants sometimes make mistakes that can result in fines, additional tax assessments, and issues with government authorities. At Legal Indonesia,

17/09/2025What Will Happen to Your Assets in Indonesia If Something Happens to You?

“What if I die tomorrow?” – this is the question every foreigner who owns property in Indonesia eventually faces. Recently, a client approached our consulting agency Legal Indonesia with a substantial portfolio of assets. His investments in real

12/09/2025Getting a U.S. Visa in Indonesia is Now Only Possible with KITAS or KITAP

As of September 6, 2025 , the U.S. Department of State has changed the rules for applying for nonimmigrant visas. From now on, applications can only be submitted in the applicant’s country of citizenship or country of permanent residence . This new

08/09/2025September 10, 2025 on Bali is a holiday

Dear clients! September 10, 2025 on Bali is a holiday - Pagerwesi Day (Day of Wisdom) is celebrated. Immigration offices and some government offices will be closed. Our office and couriers will operate as usual. Please take care of your visas and

28/08/2025Indonesia will celebrate Maulid Nabi Muhammad on September 5, 2025

On September 5, 2025, Indonesia will hold Maulid Nabi Muhammad - a religious holiday dedicated to the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. This day is an official holiday. Many government institutions, including immigration offices, banks, and other

17/08/2025The Contract You Sign in Bali May Be Invalid!

Many foreigners in Bali face the situation: when renting property, buying real estate, or entering into a contract with a PT PMA company, they are offered to sign a contract in English or Russian. At first glance, this seems convenient and

12/08/2025Indonesia will celebrate Independence Day on August 17, 2025

On August 17, 2025, Indonesia will celebrate 80 years of its independence. This is a significant national holiday that will be accompanied by numerous events across the country. It is worth noting that due to the holiday, the day off will be moved to

25/07/2025Beauty Without Rules: How Hiring Illegal Workers Led to Big Trouble for a Bali Salon

A European expat opened a beauty salon in Bali with the goal of creating a cozy space that offered the familiar level of service her clients were used to. To ensure quality, she invited fellow professionals from her home country — a hairdresser, a

23/07/2025How a 'Standard' Real Estate Purchase Agreement in Bali Almost Resulted in Million-Dollar Losses

A client recently contacted our consulting agency with a request for a legal review of a real estate purchase agreement. At first glance, the deal seemed standard, and the developer appeared reliable and responsible. They provided all the documents

21/07/2025The Story of Why Extending KITAS is Not a Place for Savings

Sometimes even the most experienced expats decide to 'save money' and extend their visa without the help of specialists. Below is the story of our regular client, who once went 'on a free sail,' quickly encountered bureaucratic reefs, and eventually

26/06/2025Why an Inactive Company in Indonesia Is a Risk

A young entrepreneur from Europe moved to Bali with the idea of “settling down.” He didn’t have a real business or a solid plan — but he did have friends who had already obtained a KITAS by setting up a PT PMA and claimed it was easy. He registered a

20/06/2025What to do if you get into a traffic accident in Bali: A foreigner’s guide by a LEGAL INDONESIA lawyer

Got into a traffic accident in Bali? Even if you’re a confident driver, no one is immune to mishaps. It’s important to know your rights and act correctly from the very first minutes. Traffic accidents in Indonesia are governed by Law No. 22 of 2009

Contact us:
PT LEGAL INDONESIA, Jl. Sunset Road No 900A, Kuta, Bali