Internship in Bali: C22A Visa Requirements

Bali is a popular destination for university students and recent graduates who want international work experience. Hospitality, marketing, tourism, and tech placements are easy to find. What is less obvious is that a tourist visa does not cover an internship.

If you have a structured placement with a company or institution in Indonesia, you need the Internship Visa C22A. Turning up on a Visa on Arrival or B1/B2 tourist visa and starting work experience is not legal, even if the internship is unpaid.

This guide covers who needs C22A, what documents you need, how long you can stay, and how it differs from volunteering or a full work permit.

Can you intern in Bali on a tourist visa?

No. Tourist visas (VOA, B1/B2, and C1) are for holidays, visiting friends, and personal travel. An internship is a training activity with a host organisation. Immigration treats that differently from tourism.

This applies whether your placement is:

• Part of a university degree requirement
• A post-graduation skills program
• A hospitality or tourism traineeship in Bali
• A corporate or marketing project with a registered company

If a host company expects you to show up and train on a schedule, get C22A before you start. The same logic applies to volunteering: unpaid activity still needs the correct category. For charity and NGO work, that is usually C6B, not C22A.

What is the Internship Visa C22A?

The Internship Visa C22A is a single-entry e-visa for foreigners taking part in organised internship or training programs with registered Indonesian companies or institutions.

It is commonly used for:

• Academic internships tied to university courses
• Corporate and business training placements
• Hospitality and tourism traineeships in Bali
• Marketing, operations, or skills development programs
• International educational exchange internships

What it allows: structured internship and training activities with your sponsor, professional skill building, and sightseeing outside work hours.

What it does not allow: paid employment as a regular staff member, freelancing, running a business, working at multiple companies without authorisation, or earning a local salary as an official employee.

If you need a real job with an Indonesian employer, you need a working KITAS, not C22A. If you work remotely for a foreign company while living in Bali, look at E33G.

Who should apply for C22A?

C22A is a good fit if you are:

• A university or college student completing an overseas internship
• A recent graduate seeking international training experience
• A hospitality or tourism trainee based in Bali
• A participant in a structured student exchange program
• Someone on a vocational or skills training placement with a registered host

You do not need C22A if you are:

• On a holiday with no training commitment (use VOA, B1/B2, or C1)
• Volunteering with an NGO (C6B)
• Attending a conference or invited event (C10)
• Employed and paid by an Indonesian company (working KITAS)
• Working remotely for overseas clients (E33G)

Still comparing options? Start with our complete Bali visa guide.

C22A requirements and documents

Most C22A applications need:

• Passport valid at least 6 months from arrival (see passport validity rules)
• Bank statement showing sufficient funds, typically around USD 2,000 across the past 3 months
• Internship or training offer letter from the host
• Sponsor documents from the Indonesian host company or institution
• Accommodation details in Indonesia
• Recent passport photo

The offer letter and sponsor paperwork are the core of the application. Immigration needs to see a clear training arrangement with a legitimate host. Vague invitations or informal "come help at the cafe" arrangements usually fail.

Health insurance is not always mandatory for the application, but it is strongly recommended for the length of your placement.

How long can you stay on C22A?

C22A typically covers:

• Up to 60 days, or
• Up to 180 days (6 months)

depending on the program and how the visa is issued.

It is a single-entry visa. If you leave Indonesia, it usually ends, and you need a new visa to return. Extensions may be available in some cases if your internship continues, but they are not automatic. Plan your dates carefully and talk to your agent before assuming you can stay longer.

Compare tourist stay limits in our VOA vs B1/B2 vs C1 guide. C22A is purpose-specific: longer training stays are fine when the paperwork matches the activity.

How to apply for the C22A internship visa

1. Confirm your placement with a registered Indonesian host that can supply an offer letter and sponsorship documents.
2. Gather documents (passport, bank statement, photo, accommodation details, internship letter).
3. Submit through a licensed agent such as Bali Visa Hub. Sponsor coordination and immigration filing are hard to DIY correctly.
4. Wait for approval. Processing is often around 5 to 14 working days depending on the service level and immigration workload.
5. Receive your e-visa by email.
6. Enter Indonesia and start the internship only after the C22A is approved and linked to your entry.

Do not begin training hours while still on a tourist visa, even if your C22A application is pending.

C22A costs in 2026

Through Bali Visa Hub, current Internship Visa C22A options include:

• Regular service: IDR 10,000,000 (up to 14 working days)
• Extra fast service: IDR 11,500,000 (around 2 to 6 working days)

Fees cover agent support, document review, sponsorship coordination where applicable, and immigration submission. Always confirm the current package for your case before you pay.

C22A vs other Bali visas

Internship vs volunteering: C22A is for training with a company or educational host. C6B is for unpaid volunteer work with an NGO or community organisation. Using the wrong category can cause problems at immigration and for your host.

Unpaid does not mean tourist visa. Both internships and volunteering can be unpaid. Immigration still requires the matching visa type.

Common mistakes interns make

• Arriving on VOA or B1/B2 and starting the placement without switching categories
• Assuming university credit makes a tourist visa OK. Academic purpose still needs C22A if you are training with a host
• Incomplete sponsor documents or a host that cannot formally sponsor
• Bank statements below the expected threshold or with unclear ownership
• Starting work before the e-visa is approved
• Leaving Indonesia mid-placement without understanding single-entry rules
• Accepting side freelance work or a local salary outside the internship

Document errors are a common cause of delays. See our visa rejection guide for patterns that trip up applicants.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start my internship before the visa is approved?

No. Wait until C22A is approved and you have entered on that visa.

Do I need a local Indonesian sponsor?

Yes. Your host university, company, or training organisation in Indonesia provides the sponsorship documents needed for the application.

Can I convert C22A to another visa while in Indonesia?

Generally no. If you need a different category, you usually apply from outside Indonesia. In limited cases a bridging visa may apply during a status change. Check with an agent before your current stay ends.

What if my internship ends early?

You can leave Indonesia before the visa expires. There is typically no refund for unused time.

Is health insurance required?

Not always mandatory for the visa itself, but strongly recommended for the full internship period.

What happens if I overstay?

Daily fines and serious consequences apply. See Indonesia overstay fines in 2026.

Ready to intern legally in Bali?

If you have a placement lined up, sort the visa before you book non-refundable accommodation. Contact Bali Visa Hub or message us on WhatsApp with your host details, nationality, and dates. We will confirm whether C22A fits your program and handle the application through our licensed Bali partner.