When even large digital companies like Airbnb embrace the “work from anywhere” policy, aspiring digital nomads can hope for a better future. A future of work productive, serious, but where you want it. Maybe in Venice, why not. Or in Dubai.
Now there could be a pretty good new entry: what do you think of the splendid tropical beaches of Bali? Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno gave an interview to Bloomberg announcing the development of a new special visa for digital nomads.
Eat, pray, love, work
The Indonesian visa for "digital nomads" would be in force for five years and would have a notable plus: Indonesia would not tax income received from abroad. Mind you, Bali is already a very attractive destination for its magnificent climate and low cost of living. Tourists adore her (the romantic portrayal of her in the film “Eat, Pray, Love” is famous, with Julia Roberts entranced by her views).
Tourism is one thing, however, work is another. Today, visitors to Bali can stay for up to 60 days, or jump through hoops to get a work permit for up to 6 months. Anyone who exceeds 183 days of stay in any case becomes a tax resident in Indonesia, and pays taxes there.
Of course, it is a rate of 35% for incomes exceeding €350.000 per year. Much lower than USA or other countries. But it is higher than, for example, Dubai: there with a visa for digital nomads (it lasts one year) income taxes are ZERO. Now do you understand why you see people working there more and more often?
Bali is well worth a mass
A visa like the one announced by the Indonesian minister would be a great coup for everyone. First of all for the digital nomads themselves, who would avoid legal tribulations and regularize positions that today are at least "ambiguous".
They could benefit from the longest visa in the world (currently the maximum possible on the planet is 4 years).
Indonesia could also make the local economy flourish again, relaunching another type of "tourism" for Bali, more permanent and of greater value. Covid has dealt a huge blow to the country's income, with attendance levels that will perhaps take decades to return to the way they were before.
For this reason, the minister underlines that Bali's strategy is now to reach a reasonable number of presences (3 or 4 million per year), focusing on greater permanence and greater spending.
Who better than digital nomads? Prepare flip flops, swimsuit and laptop.
