Planning a longer stay in Bali but unsure which visa to apply for? You are not alone. Three of the most searched options — the Tourist Visa B1/B2, the Digital Nomad Visa E33G, and the Tourist Visa C1 — all let foreigners stay in Indonesia for weeks or months, but they serve very different purposes.
Pick the wrong one and you risk rejection at the border, fines for overstaying, or — if you work remotely on a tourist visa — serious immigration consequences. This guide compares all three side by side so you can choose the right permit before you book your flight.
For the full overview of every visa type, see our complete Bali visa guide.
Quick comparison at a glance
Official visa categories and requirements are set by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration — always confirm current rules at imigrasi.go.id and the e-Visa portal.
Tourist Visa B1/B2 — long-stay tourism without work
The Tourist Visa B1/B2 replaced the old Social Visa (B211A). It is Indonesia's official long-stay visitor visa for people who want to explore Bali and the rest of the country at a slower pace.
Who should choose B1/B2
- You are visiting for tourism, family, or personal travel — not work
- You want up to 180 days in Indonesia on a single trip
- You are joining a retreat, cultural program, or extended holiday
- You do not need to earn income or work remotely while in Bali
Key rules
- 60 days on arrival, extendable twice (60 + 60 days) for a total of 180 days
- Single entry — if you leave Indonesia, the visa is used up
- No work, volunteering, or income of any kind while on this visa
- Must be approved before you travel; you receive an eVisa by email
When B1/B2 is the wrong choice
If you plan to work remotely for a foreign company, freelance online, or run a business from your laptop, the B1/B2 is not the right visa. You need the Digital Nomad Visa E33G instead.
Tourist Visa C1 — pre-arranged tourism e-visa
The Tourist Visa C1 is a single-entry e-visa for tourism. On paper it looks similar to the B1/B2 — 60 days, extendable twice to 180 days, no work allowed — but it is often the right choice for a different reason: nationality.
Who should choose C1
- Your country is not eligible for Visa on Arrival and you need a pre-approved tourist visa
- You want your visa secured before flying rather than paying at the airport
- You are visiting purely for tourism, family, or holidays — not remote work
- You need a sponsored e-visa processed through an authorized agent
B1/B2 vs C1 — what is the actual difference?
For most travelers the stay length and extension rules are nearly identical (60 + 60 + 60 days). The main differences are:
- Visa category and sponsorship — B1/B2 is the successor to the old B211A social visa; C1 is the current standard tourist e-visa category
- Who needs it — C1 is commonly required for nationalities that cannot use VOA; B1/B2 is popular with long-stay visitors from VOA-eligible countries who want 180 days instead of 60
- Processing — both require pre-arrival approval and a local sponsor
If you are unsure which tourist visa your nationality requires, check our Bali visa guide or your country's dedicated page (for example Australians, Americans, or Indians).
Digital Nomad Visa E33G — legal remote work in Bali
The Digital Nomad Visa E33G is fundamentally different from B1/B2 and C1. It is not a tourist visa — it is a remote worker permit that allows you to live in Indonesia while earning income from outside the country.
Who should choose E33G
- You are a remote employee, freelancer, or online business owner
- Your income comes from foreign companies or clients (not Indonesian sources)
- You want to stay up to one year without visa runs
- You need multiple entry — freedom to leave and return during the visa period
Key rules
- Up to 12 months initial validity
- Multiple entry — travel in and out of Indonesia during the visa period
- Remote work permitted for overseas employers or clients
- Not allowed: working for Indonesian companies, local freelancing, or earning income inside Indonesia
- Financial requirements: proof of income (typically USD 2,000/month) and bank balance (USD 2,000 minimum)
When E33G is the wrong choice
- You are only visiting for a holiday with no remote work — B1/B2 or C1 is cheaper and simpler
- You want to work for an Indonesian employer — you need a Working KITAS
- You are attending a short trip under 60 days — Visa on Arrival may be enough
Decision guide: which visa fits your situation?
"I'm coming for a holiday of 2–4 weeks"
→ Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) if your nationality qualifies. No need for B1/B2, C1, or E33G.
"I want to stay 2–6 months exploring Bali, no work"
→ B1/B2 (most long-stay tourists) or C1 (if your nationality requires a pre-arranged tourist visa).
"I'm a digital nomad working remotely for overseas clients"
→ E33G — the only visa in this group that legally permits remote work.
"I'm not sure how long I'll stay — maybe tourism, maybe I'll pick up freelance work"
→ Apply for the visa that matches what you will actually do. Tourism visas do not cover remote work. If there is any chance you will work online, apply for E33G before you arrive.
"I need to leave Indonesia and come back during my stay"
→ E33G (multiple entry). B1/B2 and C1 are single-entry — leaving ends your visa.
Cost comparison
Approximate costs through Bali Visa Hub (immigration fees and sponsorship included):
- B1/B2: from IDR 3,500,000 (regular) to IDR 7,500,000 (extra fast)
- C1: from IDR 3,500,000 (regular) to IDR 6,000,000 (express)
- E33G: IDR 15,000,000 (includes eligibility review and full application support)
Extensions for B1/B2 and C1 cost approximately IDR 3,500,000 per 60-day extension. Factor in two extensions if you plan the full 180-day stay.
Use our visa document checklist to prepare your application and our overstay calculator to track deadlines once you are in Bali.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a tourist visa for remote work — B1/B2 and C1 are for leisure only. Remote work requires E33G.
- Assuming B1/B2 and C1 are interchangeable — check which category your nationality and travel purpose require.
- Leaving Indonesia on a single-entry visa — your permit is invalidated; you need a new visa to return.
- Skipping extensions — overstaying any visa incurs fines of IDR 1,000,000 per day under Indonesian immigration law.
- Applying after arrival — B1/B2, C1, and E33G must be approved before entry (E33G may have limited in-country options, but pre-arrival is safest).
How to apply
All three visas are applied for before travel through Indonesia's online immigration system, usually with help from a licensed sponsor or agent.
- Choose the visa that matches your purpose (tourism vs remote work)
- Gather documents — passport, photo, bank statement, and (for E33G) proof of foreign income
- Submit through an authorized agent such as Bali Visa Hub
- Receive your eVisa by email before your flight
- Present the eVisa at immigration on arrival at Ngurah Rai or any Indonesian port of entry
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from B1/B2 or C1 to E33G while in Bali?
Generally, tourist visas cannot be converted to a different visa type from within Indonesia. You typically need to leave the country and apply for E33G from abroad. A bridging visa may help in specific situations — contact an immigration agent for advice.
Do B1/B2 and C1 both allow 180 days?
Yes. Both start at 60 days and can be extended twice (60 days each) for a maximum of 180 days total, provided extensions are filed on time at the local immigration office.
Is the E33G worth the higher cost?
If you work remotely and plan to stay several months, yes. The E33G gives you legal work status, a longer initial stay, and multiple-entry flexibility that tourist visas do not offer. The cost of an overstay fine or deportation far exceeds the visa fee.
Which visa do yoga retreat attendees need?
A B1/B2 or C1 tourist visa is appropriate for attending a retreat, provided you are not working or earning income during your stay.
Summary
Still unsure? Contact Bali Visa Hub for a free assessment. We will match your travel plans to the correct visa and handle the full application on your behalf.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Indonesian immigration rules, fees, and visa categories can change. Always confirm current requirements at imigrasi.go.id before applying.
Further reading
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