Bali Visa Guide: Requirements, Costs & How to Apply

Planning a trip to Bali? This is to ensure that before you book your flight, you are aware of what you need in terms of a visa.

Even though most travellers call it Bali visa, technically, there is no such thing as a Bali visa. Bali is part of Indonesia, and the visa that you will get will not only get you to Bali, but to Jakarta, Lombok, Komodo, and all the other islands.

The type of visa that you need depends on three key factors:

• Your nationality
• How long do you plan to stay
• Reason for your visit (tourism, remote, internship, volunteering, retiring, or employment.

Indonesia has several types of visa options to cater to different nationalities, including visa-free entry to Indonesia for certain nationalities, Visa on Arrival (VoA) for many nationalities, and long stay permits, including the B1/B2, KITAS, and Digital Nomad Visa (E33G).

In this complete Bali Visa Guide, you will find out:

• Which countries can get a visa-free entry
• Different types of Bali visas
• How the Visa On Arrival (VoA) works
• How much do different Bali visas cost
• Long term stay visas (B1/B2, C1, KITAS options)
• Entry requirements
• Visa rules by nationality

By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly what visa applies to your situation - so you can get on the road to Bali legally, without the penalties for overstaying, and enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind.

Do I Need a Visa for Bali?

The answer to this question of whether you should visit Bali with or without a visa is pegged on three important aspects, which include: your nationality, the duration of time you would like to spend in Bali, and the reason you should visit Bali.

All these will be addressed to ensure that you are aware of what you need.

Visa-Free Entry: Coming To The Existing Reality

The majority of tourists think that they can make their way to Bali without being issued a visa, and a great deal of this is obsolete.

The visa-free program, which once covered more than 90 countries, was cancelled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Only the citizens of approximately 10-17 countries will be allowed entry into Indonesia visa-free by the year 2026.

Countries with visa-free access (30 days)

ASEAN Members:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Other Countries:

• Colombia
• Hong Kong (SAR)
• Suriname
• Timor-Leste

It also restricts itself to tourist matters that cannot exceed 30 days, despite the fact that this is a visa-free entry.

Visa on Arrival: The Fastest and Most Flexible.

To a vast majority of international travelers, the Visa on Arrival is the most frequent mode of entry to the country.

VOA is applicable in some 92-97 countries, including large source markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and all European Union countries, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

VOA will be IDR 500,000 (including an estimated 30-day stay costs between $30 to 35 on exchange rates).

It is worth noting that this visa can be renewed again to obtain an additional 30 days, and in this manner, one will be able to spend up to 60 days in Indonesia.

It is this flexibility of extension that is particularly attractive with respect to the non-extendable visa-free alternative of VOA.

Longer Stay Pre-Arranged Visas

Their nationalities can not receive a VOA, and they need to request a visa at an Indonesian embassy or consulateto leave.

Besides, a pre-arranged visa should be requested by any individual willing to spend over 60 days, regardless of their nationality.

Types of Bali Visas

Knowing the various types of visas will enable you to select the most appropriate one to use in your travel arrangements. All types of visas have their purposes and various terms and renewal opportunities.

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Visa on Arrival is the most popular type of visa that tourists use in Indonesia for between 30 and 60 days, and is primarily used by tourists for social purposes.

Main Details:

• Duration: 30 days initially
• Extension: Extension with another 30 days (a maximum of 60 days)
• Eligible Countries: The figure is about 92 countries, such as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, EU countries, India, China, and Japan.
• Process: The permits are issued at the time of arrival at the airports in Indonesia or can be issued online as an e-VOA in advance.

VoA is rigidly restricted to tourist activities, i.e., sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, social activities, and recreational travelling. It does not allow working, business, paid work, professional services, or formal education.

Bali Tourist Visa B1/B2

Bali Tourist Visa B1/B2 is the most suitable visa to use for spending more time in Bali than just a short holiday, and you can spend as long as 180 days in Indonesia.

The objective market is the tourists willing to explore Bali in a slow mode, see friends and families, participate in retreats or personal growth programs, and get to know about the Indonesian culture. It is a non-working visa and is not a work permit.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Long-term travel, visiting friends or family, cultural and personal travel.
• Duration: 60 days initial stay
• Extension: Twice (60 + 60 days), maximum of 180 days.
• Entry Type: Single entry (invalidated in case you leave Indonesia)
• Work Permission: No (nothing to work, volunteer, or generate any income)
• Application: Before arriving in Indonesia, it has to be approved.

The visa is good for 60 days after the date of entry, and it can be renewed twice, with each renewal being an extension of 60 days.

With all extensions done properly, the maximum allowance for staying on a single visit is 180 days.

Tourist Visa (C1)

Single-entry Tourist Visa (C1) is an e-visa and applies to travelers who want to spend more time in Indonesia than the Visa on Arrival, or who wish to obtain their visa before arrival.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Tourism, holidays, seeing friends or family.
• Duration: 60 days per entry
• Entry Type: Single entry
• Work Permission: Not allowed

The Tourist Visa (C1) has a maximum stay of 60 days per admission and can be extended twice, where in each case it gives an extra 60 days.

Travelers are now able to spend up to 180 days in Indonesia on a single visit without leaving the country, as all the extensions are done.

This visa is rigorously a tourism and social visa, allowing no work, business, or income-earning activities.

Digital Nomad Visa E33G

Digital Nomad Visa E33G enables foreigners to legally be in Indonesia, but they work remotely for another company or clients who are outside Indonesia.

This visa applies to freelancers, remote workers, consultants, and online business owners who make money elsewhere and would like to reside in Indonesia permanently without violating the immigration policies.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Remote work with foreign companies or customers.
• Duration: Up to 1 year
• Entry Type: Single entry
• Work Permission: Remote work only (foreign income)
• Local Employment: Not permissible.
• Application: Before or during stay in Indonesia has to be approved.

The Digital Nomad Visa E33G gives its holders the opportunity to work in Indonesia but still stay in Indonesia, as long as all the income is not generated in Indonesia. It does not allow working in Indonesian companies, local freelancing, or earning income of Indonesian origin.

Internship Visa (C22A)

Internship Visa C22A allows foreigners to take part in structured internship and training programs with registered firms or organizations in Indonesia.

It targets students, newly graduated or trainees, who want to have professional exposure but not full employment.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Project-based professional experience, internship, and training.
• Time: 60 days or 180 days (6 months) maximum.
• Extension: Non-extendable to the greatest validity.
• Entry Type: Single entry
• Work Permission: Internship/training, no paid work.
• Application: Before arrival should be approved.

Internship Visa C22A does not allow any paid work, freelance, or business, and is solely used to carry out an internship or training.

Bridging Visa

A Bridging Visa is a temporary visa that allows foreigners to remain legally in Indonesia as they change to another visa.

You use it in cases where your existing visa is about to expire, and your new visa or extension is still underway.

The visa serves as a legal cushion against overstay as one awaits the approval of another visa, eg, a Tourist Visa, Social Visa, or KITAS.

Main Details:

• Reason: Temporary residence when changing or renewing a visa.
• Duration: Up to 30 days
• Extension: Not extendable
• Type of entry: Stay permit only (no new entry)
• Work Permission: Not allowed
• Application: Given when a new visa or an extension is being applied for.

The Bridging Visa is also regularly utilized when a change in visa type is required, or the visitor is awaiting a decision concerning immigration, so that they are not required to pay the overstay penalties or be sent back to Indonesia.

This visa is normally processed by an agent visa instead of being applied for individually.

Volunteer Visa (C6B)

The volunteer visa C6B is a single-entry visa that allows foreigners who wish to engage in unpaid volunteer work, humanitarian program, or community activities in Indonesia. It enables you to volunteer legally without any salary or any form of remuneration.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Social programs, charity, environmental programs, cultural exchange, and volunteer work.
• Length of stay: 30-60 days for the first stay.
• Extension: Case-dependent (pending immigration)
• Entry Type: Single entry
• Work Permission: Unpaid volunteer work only, no paid employment.
• Application: Before arrival, there is to be permission.

Volunteer Visa C6B allows the holder to engage in volunteering programs, learn about the Indonesian culture, and invest in community initiatives. Working, freelancing, or business is not allowed.

This visa is perfect for NGO volunteers, students, travelers on a gap year, and charity workers who would like to have a meaningful impact in Indonesia without breaching any immigration laws.

Retirement KITAS Visa

The Retirement KITAS is a long-term visa that is granted to retirees aged 55 and above who intend to spend some time living in Bali or the rest of Indonesia. It gives retirees an opportunity to live a relaxed and tropical life and still be in full compliance with Indonesian immigration laws.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Long-term retirement stay.
• Duration: 1 year on entry, and may be renewed up to 5 years.
• Extension: Annual renewal
• Entry Type: Multiple entry
• Work Permission: Not possible (can not work or do business)
• Application: This should be granted in advance.

Through the Retirement KITAS, the holder is free to travel in and out of Indonesia, enjoy local facilities like bank accounts and a driver's licence, and eventually change to permanent residency (KITAP) after five years. No employment or business is allowed, but in some instances, volunteering can be permitted.

The Retirement KITAS is also perfect when a retired person wants to spend an extended period in Bali, being in a legal residence with the support and flexibility of living a comfortable tropical life.

Worker / Employment KITAS

The Worker KITAS is a long-term visa that enables foreigners to work legally on the basis of an Indonesian company or carry out a registered business in Indonesia.

It fits perfectly with the professionals, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs who can spend a long time living and working in Indonesia.

Main Details:

• Purpose: Employment or business in Indonesia.
• Duration: 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years (when there is an application)
• Extension: Extension based on visa term.
• Type of entry: single or multiple entry.
• Work Permission: Accepted, restricted to the position or company indicated in the application.
• Application: This has to be granted before or during residence in Indonesia.

The Worker KITAS will permit its owners to work legally in an Indonesian firm, move freely in the country, and indulge in tourism or social activities throughout their residence.

Depending on the Indonesian immigration requirements, the visa holder can also bring eligible family members.

The Worker KITAS is recommended to all individuals who wish to reside and work in Indonesia legally and have the option of staying anywhere, and anytime they want, as well as the capacity to travel or invite family members who are eligible.

Bali Visa Requirements

The awareness of the various types of visas will allow you to select the most suitable visa to use in your travel plans. This is because every type of visa has its purpose, terms, and renewal possibilities. The documents needed to get a Bali visa include the following:

Valid Passport

Your passport should contain certain requirements:

• At least 6 months of entry
• Stamps at least 2 blank pages
• Authentic passport (not an emergency travel document)
• In perfect condition, no water or lost pages

Passport Photographs

Passport Photographs

Photo requirements are standardized:

• Size: 4x6 cm (Indonesian) or 2x2 inches (international)
• Recent photos (within 6 months)
• Light or white background
• None (except when medically necessary) glasses
• No headwear (although, because of religious reasons, it is possible)
• Whole face visible, neither smiling nor frowning

Note: Visa on Arrival (VoA) may not require photos, but embassy or e-visa applications usually do.

Proof of Onward Travel

You have to show intentions to move out of Indonesia:

• Round-trip airfare to the home country, OR
• Round-trip to a different destination
• Should be of a visa validity period
• E-ticket confirmations are admissible
• Refundable or amendable

Accommodation Proof

Evidence of where you'll stay:

• Booking confirmation of hotel reservation
• Rental agreement or lease
• Invitation letter of the host in Indonesia
• Does not necessarily have to be paid or non-refundable

Financial Proof

Show capacity to support oneself:

• Bank statements (3 months suggested)
• Available credit cards
• Minimum $1,500-2,000 USD equivalent
• Not invariably inspected, and yet must be present

Travel Insurance

Medical emergency coverage:

• All visitors would be highly encouraged to visit
• It is proposed to have medical coverage of at least 50,000 USD
• Good throughout the period of stay

How to Apply for a Bali Visa

Depending on the nationality and the type of visa you need, the application towards Bali visa varies. The majority of the tourists are using Visa on Arrival (VoA), and some have to get a visa before visiting the country.

Step 1: Check Your Visa Eligibility

First, are you a national of:

• Visa on Arrival (VoA)
• Visa-free entry
• Pre-arranged tourist visa (C1)

The rules can alter, but it is always good to have the current rules when traveling.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

Make sure you have:

• Valid Passport (validity 6 months & min. 2 blank pages & in good condition)
• Return or continuation ticket within your stipulated period of stay;
• Information about accommodation (hotel, host booking)
• Proof of sufficient financing (not less than USD 1,5002,000 equivalent)
• Travel insurance (highly advised, USD 50,000 min. med. cover).

Embassy or e-visa applications generally do require photos of you, but not a Visa on Arrival.

Step 3: Choose the Application Method

Visa on Arrival (VoA): The eligible travellers have the ability to apply in advance at the airport of Bali or seek to have e-VoA online. VoA is valid for a period of 30 days and could be considered for another 30 days.

Pre-arranged Tourist Visa (C1): Provided that you are not a national with eligibility to VoA, you have to travel by applying online or by using an authorized agent.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

The visa charge will be different depending on the type of visa. The payment may be made typically on an online platform or at the airport (in case of VoA).