Retire in Bali or Elsewhere in Indonesia? Know Your E33E vs E33F Options
Planning to retire in Bali or another part of Indonesia? Indonesia offers dedicated long-stay immigration options for older foreign nationals who want to live in the country without taking up local employment.
For 2026, two visa categories are particularly relevant: E33E, a five-year retirement stay option, and E33F, a one-year retirement stay option. Both are part of Indonesia’s Second Home visa classification for elderly applicants, and both are available to eligible foreigners aged 55 or above.
The choice between E33E and E33F is not about whether you live in Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, or another Indonesian destination. The main difference is the length of stay, sponsorship, financial commitment and application structure.
What Are E33E and E33F?
Under the current Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections No. M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025 on Visa Classification, E33E is for foreigners aged 55 or older who intend to stay in Indonesia for up to five years, while E33F is for foreigners aged 55 or older who intend to stay for up to one year.
Both permit activities related to investment, business and purchasing goods, as well as tourism and visiting friends or family. However, they do not give the holder a general right to work in Indonesia or freely sell goods or services.
This distinction matters for retirees who own investments or maintain business interests. Holding a retirement visa does not automatically authorize you to perform operational work for an Indonesian business.
E33E vs E33F: Which Retirement Visa Is Right for You?
| Feature | E33E – 5-Year Retirement Visa | E33F – 1-Year Retirement Visa |
| Minimum age | 55 years | 55 years |
| Initial stay | Up to 5 years | Up to 1 year |
| Renewal | Can be extended; the applicable ITAS framework allows a total stay of up to 10 years for the five-year category | Can be extended subject to the applicable immigration rules |
| Sponsor | No sponsor required | Sponsor required |
| Bank statement | Minimum US$2,000 or equivalent shown over the preceding 3 months | Minimum US$2,000 or equivalent shown over the preceding 3 months |
| Income / allowance | Minimum US$3,000 per month | Minimum US$3,000 per month |
| Additional financial commitment | US$50,000 immigration guarantee in the applicant’s own account at a state-owned Indonesian bank, to be fulfilled within 90 days after the ITAS is granted | No US$50,000 immigration guarantee stated |
| Work in Indonesia | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Family | Eligible family members may accompany the holder, subject to immigration rules | Eligible family members may accompany the holder, subject to immigration rules |
| Government immigration fee* | IDR 13 million for up to 5 years | IDR 7 million for 1 year |
*Government fees are immigration PNBP and do not necessarily represent total professional, agency, translation, insurance or other costs. The current official immigration information lists IDR 13 million for E33E and IDR 7 million for E33F.
E33E: The Longer-Term Option for Retirees
The E33E retirement visa is generally the more suitable option for a foreign retiree who already knows that they want to make Indonesia their long-term home.
The current immigration requirements provide for a stay of up to five years and do not require a traditional sponsor. Instead, the applicant must provide an immigration guarantee by committing at least US$50,000 in their own account at a state-owned Indonesian bank. This commitment must be fulfilled within 90 days from the granting of the Limited Stay Permit. The applicant must also demonstrate income or an allowance of at least US$3,000 per month.
The applicant must additionally show a recent bank statement with at least US$2,000 or its equivalent for the preceding three-month period.
The five-year ITAS can be extended under the applicable immigration framework, with the total period for this five-year category not exceeding 10 years.
In practical terms, E33E can be attractive for retirees who prefer fewer renewal processes and are comfortable meeting the larger financial commitment.
E33F: The One-Year Retirement Option
The E33F retirement visa is designed for foreigners aged 55 or older who want to stay in Indonesia for up to one year.
Unlike E33E, E33F requires a sponsor. The current application requirements include a sponsor guarantee, a personal or sponsor bank statement showing at least US3,000 per month.
The official government fee for a one-year E33F is currently listed at IDR 7 million.
For retirees who want greater flexibility or prefer not to commit US$50,000 to the E33E structure, E33F may be the more practical route.
Can You Retire in Bali With E33E or E33F?
Yes. Neither visa is limited to Bali.
The legal basis is national Indonesian immigration law, so an eligible holder can reside in Bali or another part of Indonesia, subject to complying with the visa and stay-permit conditions.
This makes the decision more about lifestyle and personal circumstances than immigration geography.
For example, a retiree may choose Bali because of its international community, healthcare access, infrastructure and established expatriate environment. Others may prefer Lombok, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Jakarta or another Indonesian city for different lifestyle or cost considerations.
The retirement visa itself does not create a separate “Bali retirement visa.”
What Can You Do on a Retirement Visa?
A common misconception is that a retirement visa means you cannot participate in any business-related activity.
The current visa classification specifically gives E33E and E33F holders rights to undertake activities connected with investment, business or purchasing goods, in addition to tourism and family or social visits. At the same time, the same classification prohibits the sale of goods or services directly and activities outside the permitted visa purpose unless the appropriate additional activity or change has been approved.
Therefore, a retiree may be able to hold investments or participate in permitted business-related activities, but should not treat a retirement visa as a work permit.
For someone who wants to actively manage a company, provide consulting services, work for an Indonesian business or receive Indonesian employment income, a different immigration structure may be required.
Can You Buy Property in Bali With a Retirement Visa?
A retirement visa does not give a foreigner the right to own Indonesian land under Hak Milik.
Property ownership for foreigners is governed by separate Indonesian land and property rules. Depending on the property and structure, foreigners may hold certain rights such as Hak Pakai, or use lawful lease and other contractual arrangements.
This distinction is important because obtaining an E33E or E33F does not itself create property ownership rights.
A retiree considering a villa, apartment or house in Bali should therefore assess immigration status, land title, property eligibility, transaction structure and tax implications separately.
Retirement Visa and Indonesian Tax Residency
Obtaining a retirement visa should also not be confused with obtaining an exemption from Indonesian tax.
A foreign national can become an Indonesian domestic tax subject based on factors including residence, presence in Indonesia for more than 183 days within a 12-month period, or an intention to reside in Indonesia. The 183-day calculation can include continuous or interrupted periods of presence.
This means someone who spends most of the year living in Bali may need to assess Indonesian tax residency, reporting and potential tax obligations even if their income originates outside Indonesia.
Tax treaty rules may also become relevant depending on the person’s home country.
Which Is Better: E33E or E33F?
There is no universally better retirement visa.
E33E may suit you better when you are 55 or older, expect to live in Indonesia for several years, can meet the US$50,000 immigration guarantee and prefer not to depend on a sponsor.
E33F may suit you better when you prefer a one-year commitment, do not want to meet the US$50,000 E33E commitment, and are comfortable using a sponsor and managing periodic renewals.
The important point is to look beyond the visa duration. Your property plans, family arrangements, investment activities, tax residency and long-term immigration objectives should all be considered before choosing the visa category.
E33E vs E33F: Key Questions Before You Apply
| Question | Why it matters |
| How long do you want to live in Indonesia? | Determines whether a one-year or five-year structure makes more sense |
| Can you meet the US$50,000 E33E commitment? | This is a major difference between E33E and E33F |
| Do you want a sponsor? | E33F requires one; E33E does not |
| Will you live in Bali or elsewhere? | Both are national Indonesian immigration categories |
| Will you continue working? | Retirement visas do not authorize ordinary employment in Indonesia |
| Do you plan to buy property? | Immigration and land ownership rules are separate |
| Will you spend more than 183 days in Indonesia? | Tax residency may need to be assessed |
| Do you have family members moving with you? | Their immigration status should be planned separately |
Final Takeaway: Retiring in Bali Is About More Than Choosing a Visa
For foreigners planning to retire in Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia in 2026, E33E and E33F provide two different long-stay routes under Indonesia’s elderly Second Home visa framework.
The E33E offers a longer initial stay of up to five years without a sponsor but requires a US3,000 monthly income. The E33F provides a one-year stay with sponsorship and the same US50,000 E33E commitment.
Neither option is specifically a “Bali visa.” Both are Indonesian immigration pathways, allowing eligible retirees to choose where they want to live while complying with the conditions of their stay permit.
Before applying, it is important to review not only the visa requirements but also tax residency, property plans, family immigration and any investment or business activities you intend to undertake in Indonesia.
