Head to head
Indonesia vs United Arab Emirates: the digital nomad visas compared
Low confidence
Last verified June 10, 2026
The short version
- United Arab Emirates has the lower entry bar: €3,033 per month versus €4,320 for Indonesia.
- Tax treatment differs: Indonesia — standard resident taxation; United Arab Emirates — no personal income tax. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Indonesia E33G | United Arab Emirates VWP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €4,320 | €3,033 (better) |
| Income basis | Salary / employment contract | Salary / employment contract |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Indirect (switch required) | No |
| Path to citizenship | Via permanent residence | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | No personal income tax |
| Health insurance | Not required | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | — | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €337 | ≈ €88 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online | Online, In country |
| Processing time | 1 weeks | 0.3 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Indonesia E33G →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
United Arab Emirates VWP →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Sources
- Government Official Indonesian eVisa - E33G General Information & FAQ (USD 60,000/yr income, USD 2,000/3-month bank statement, document checklist without insurance, Rp 7,000,000 cost, work prohibitions) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi - E33G Visa Rumah Kedua Pekerja Jarak Jauh (PNBP fee components under PP 45/2024, Rp 7,000,000 1-year visa, requirements, legal basis incl. Kepmen Imipas M.IP-08.GR.01.01/2025) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi - E33G page (online application via evisa.imigrasi.go.id, 5-working-day processing after payment, no sponsor, online extension and alih status conversion) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette Permenkumham No. 22/2023 on Visas and Stay Permits, Berita Negara 2023 No. 651 (Art. 63 E33G requirements, Art. 113(1) 6-year ITAS cap, Art. 33(2)(h) family unification) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Direktorat Jenderal Pajak - Determination of domestic vs foreign tax subjects (PER-23/PJ/2025 effective 9 Dec 2025; >183 days in 12 months = domestic tax subject; worldwide income; partial days count as full) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Imigrasi press release - mandatory in-person photo and interview for stay-permit extensions effective 29 May 2025 (Circular IMI-417.GR.01.01/2025) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government BPK official regulation database - Permenkumham 22/2023 status: in force ('Berlaku'); amended by Permenkumham 11/2024; partially revoked by Permen Imipas 3/2025 (Arts. 43, 45, 52-55 only - Art. 63 untouched) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government BPK official regulation database - Permen Imipas No. 3/2025 (Diaspora visas; enacted 7 Feb 2025, in force 6 May 2025; revokes only Arts. 43/45/52-55 of Permenkumham 22/2023) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates, 9 June 2026 (USD 1.1573, IDR 20,773.82) - basis for all EUR conversions accessed 2026-06-10
- Law firm EY Global Tax Alert - Indonesia implements new visa for remote workers (effective 1 April 2024; renewable for an additional year) - Tier 2, supports launch date and renewability interpretation only accessed 2026-06-10
- Law firm Fragomen (2 July 2024) - The Rise of Indonesia's Remote Worker Visa (up to one year, extendable for an additional year, max ~2 years) - Tier 2 interpretation only accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Work remotely from Dubai accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Work remotely from Dubai - eligibility: salary of at least US$3,500 (AED12,856) per month, 1-year contract with a non-UAE company accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Work remotely from Dubai - health insurance valid for the UAE for at least one year; travel insurance acceptable with necessary cover accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Work remotely from Dubai - visa costs as of August 2024 (US$101/AED 372.50 outside Dubai; US$334/AED 1,225.90 via AMER in Dubai, incl. VAT) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government GDRFA Dubai - Issuance of the virtual work residence permit (salary certificate USD 3,500 or equivalent; health insurance copy compulsory) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government GDRFA Dubai - Issuance of the virtual work residence permit (channels, documents, AED fees, 48h service time, 60-day grace, one year subject to renewal) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government GDRFA Dubai - Visa Issuance (Virtual Work) (valid health insurance document required at entry stage; USD 3,500 income condition) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government GDRFA Dubai - Visa Issuance (Virtual Work) (entry visa fee AED 200 + 5% VAT and surcharges; one-year extendable residence; family sponsorship) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government GDRFA Dubai - Renewing a virtual work residence permit (renewal service: salary certificate USD 3,500 mandatory, health insurance mandatory, AED 200 + surcharges, 48h, no savings requirement, no stated renewal cap) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government u.ae - Residence visa for working outside the UAE accessed 2026-06-10
- Government u.ae - Residence visa for working outside the UAE ('zero income tax for individuals' under programme benefits) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government ECB reference exchange rate via Frankfurter API (2026-06-10: 1 USD = 0.86663 EUR) used for EUR conversions; AED converted via the 3.6725 USD peg (ECB publishes no AED rate) accessed 2026-06-10