If you’re planning a trip or longer stay in Bali, sorting out the right visa is one thing you definitely don’t want to leave until the last minute. And once you know which visa suits your situation, the next big step is collecting the correct documents.
To make the process smoother, we’ve created a clear breakdown of what you need to prepare for each type of Bali visa. Whether you're coming for a short holiday, staying for a few months, or moving here for love or work, this checklist will help you get started with confidence.
What You Need to Prepare for Each Type of Bali Visa
If you’re planning a trip or longer stay in Bali, sorting out the right visa is one thing you definitely don’t want to leave until the last minute. And once you know which visa suits your situation, the next big step is collecting the correct documents.
To make the process smoother, we’ve created a clear breakdown of what you need to prepare for each type of Bali visa. Whether you're coming for a short holiday, staying for a few months, or moving here for love or work, this checklist will help you get started with confidence.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) / Electronic VOA (eVOA)
Best for: Tourists visiting Bali for up to 30 days
Extension: Once, for an additional 30 days
What you need:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- Proof of return or onward flight
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, Airbnb, or similar)
- Payment method for VOA (credit/debit card if applying online)
No sponsor or bank statement is needed. This is the easiest and most straightforward option if you’re just coming for a short visit.
B211A Visa (Tourist or Social)
Best for: Stays longer than 30 days, digital nomads, family visits, attending events, or retreats
Valid for: 60 days initially, extendable up to 180 days
Application: Must be done before entering Indonesia
What you need:
- Scan of your passport (front cover and identity page)
- Must be clear, full-page scans without fingers holding the passport
- Recent passport-size photo
- Background can be red, blue, or white
- No glasses, hats, or filters
- Proof of accommodation in Bali
- Hotel reservation, villa booking, or rental agreement
- Bank statement from the last 3 months
- Must show at least USD $2,000 or equivalent in another currency
- Your name must appear on the statement
- Sponsor letter
- Provided by a registered Indonesian travel agency or visa agent
This tourist visa is ideal for anyone wanting to stay longer without applying for a residence permit.
C6B Volunteer Visa (Social/Humanitarian Purpose)
Best for: Volunteering with NGOs, participating in humanitarian activities, or religious missions
Visa Type: C6B (Single-Entry Visit Visa for Non-Commercial/Volunteer Activities)
Valid for: 60 days, extendable up to 180 days
Application: Before entering Indonesia (via embassy or visa agent)
What you need:
- Scan of your passport (cover and identity page)
- Must be valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival
- Passport-size photo (red, blue, or white background)
- Proof of accommodation in Bali
- Bank statement (last 3 months)
- Showing at least USD $2,000 or equivalent
- Sponsor letter from an Indonesian foundation, organization, or NGO
- Invitation letter detailing the purpose and duration of the volunteer work
- Organization’s legal documents (may be required by immigration or embassy)
Important:
- This visa is strictly for non-commercial, unpaid activities.
- You cannot earn money or work for a local business under this visa.
- Activities must be aligned with humanitarian, educational, or religious goals.
Many reputable NGOs and non-profits in Bali can help you with sponsorship if you’re volunteering officially.
Work KITAS
Best for: Foreigners who are officially employed by an Indonesian company
Valid for: 6 months to 1 year, depending on the job contract and company sponsorship
Application: Must be processed with the support of your employer
What you need:
- Scan of your passport (cover and ID page)
- Recent passport photo with a plain red, blue, or white background
- Employment contract
- Company sponsor documents (provided by your employer)
- Company’s tax and legal documents (handled by sponsor)
- Bank statement (some cases may require this)
Important note: You cannot work legally in Bali on a tourist visa. A Work KITAS is required for any formal employment.
Summary Checklist by Visa Type
Document | VOA | B211A (Tourist) | B211A (Volunteer) | Remote KITAS | Spouse KITAS | Work KITAS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passport scan (cover + ID page) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passport photo (red/blue/white bg) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Proof of accommodation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bank statement (last 3 months) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Sponsor letter | No | Yes (agent) | Yes (NGO/foundation) | Yes (agent) | Yes (spouse) | Yes (company) |
Return or onward ticket | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Proof of income/employment | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Domicile letter (from Banjar) | No | No | No | Yes (after arrival) | Yes | Sometimes |
Final Tips
- Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry
- Scans should be clear, full-page, and not cropped or blurred
- Your name must match exactly across all documents
- It's a good idea to back everything up — print your documents and save copies online
- When in doubt, work with a registered and trusted visa agent to help guide you through the process
Getting your visa sorted is one of the most important steps in preparing for your time in Bali. With the right documents ready, the process becomes a lot easier — and you’ll be one step closer to enjoying everything the island has to offer.
If you’d like a simple tool to help you gather all required documents for your visa, check out our free Bali Visa Checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing.