Is Indonesia's Second Home Visa an easy backdoor to Bali residence?
Second Home Visa requires USD $130k deposit in a state-owned Indonesian bank held for the visa duration (5-10 years) — substantially more expensive than alternative routes.
The truth
Indonesia's Second Home Visa (E33F, launched October 2023) provides 5 or 10-year multi-entry residence for high-wealth foreigners. Requirements: (1) USD $130,000 (or equivalent) deposited in a designated Indonesian state-owned bank (BNI, BRI, Mandiri, BTN) and held throughout the visa duration; (2) proof of accommodation in Indonesia (rental contract or property ownership); (3) clean criminal record from country of residence; (4) health insurance covering Indonesia. Visa fee: ~USD $200 + visa application costs. Holders can: live in Indonesia indefinitely (within visa term), enroll children in Indonesian schools, access private healthcare. Cannot: work for an Indonesian employer (requires separate Working KITAS), own freehold property (foreign ownership of land is restricted under Agrarian Law 5/1960 — leasehold + corporate vehicles only). Alternative routes that may better suit different needs: Investor KITAS (USD $35k+ business investment, work rights included), B211B Social-Cultural Visa (60-day stays, extendable, no large deposit), KITAS Spouse (marrying an Indonesian — substantially easier), Retirement Visa (55+, USD $18k+/year proven income), Remote Worker Visa E33G (launched 2024, 1-year, USD $60k+ annual foreign-employer income). The E33F Second Home Visa is genuinely useful for wealthy retirees / lifestyle migrants but the USD $130k deposit lock-up materially constrains the candidate pool.
Why this rumour persists
Bali property + relocation marketing aggressively promotes the Second Home Visa as 'the easy way to Bali residence' — true for those who can lock up USD $130k, but most lifestyle migrants don't have that liquidity.
What to actually do
- Confirm USD $130k liquidity availability — funds must be deposited in BNI / BRI / Mandiri / BTN for the visa duration
- Secure Indonesian accommodation contract before applying — lease minimum 1 year typically required
- Apply via Indonesian embassy / consulate in country of residence — processing 4-8 weeks
- Consider alternative routes: Remote Worker Visa (USD $60k+/year income) often better fit for digital nomads
- Indonesian property ownership is restricted — Hak Pakai (right of use) leasehold + nominee structures common; consult an Indonesian property lawyer
- Visa cancellation triggers if deposit withdrawn — plan financial position accordingly