The Dichotomy of Work and Travel: A Juridical Analysis of Digital Nomads in the Perspective of Indonesian Immigration Law
Abstract
The phenomenon of foreign digital nomads engaging in cross-border work activities presents new challenges to Indonesia’s immigration law system. Although, from a normative perspective, the regulation of digital nomads has been accommodated through visa classification under the Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, such regulation remains administrative in nature and has not yet been comprehensively governed by regulatory norms (regeling). This condition has the potential to give rise to various legal issues, including the misuse of stay permits, violations of labor regulations, loss of potential state revenue, and social impacts on local communities, particularly in tourism destinations such as Bali. This study employs a normative juridical approach combined with the Economic Analysis of Law to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of immigration law enforcement against foreign digital nomads. The findings indicate that regulatory ambiguity undermines legal certainty and enforcement efficiency, and may generate social costs that outweigh the economic benefits obtained. Therefore, an immigration law enforcement model that is preventive, repressive, and adaptive is required, through the strengthening of visa classification, the formulation of specific regulations at the ministerial level, and the utilization of surveillance technology, in order to achieve optimal legal certainty, justice, and utility.
How to Cite This Article
Ni Luh Putu Diah Rumika Dewi, Made Gde Subha Karma Resen (2026). The Dichotomy of Work and Travel: A Juridical Analysis of Digital Nomads in the Perspective of Indonesian Immigration Law . International Journal of Judicial Law (IJJL), 5(3), 67-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJJL.2026.5.3.67-73