In 2025, Bali’s visa requirements introduce streamlined digital processes alongside traditional options, with key updates affecting travelers from 43 eligible countries, including Australia, the US, and the UK. The e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival) system, launched in 2023, remains the fastest option, processed within 5 working days via the official portal , while the in-person VOA counter at airports still accepts payments in IDR 500,000 (~USD 35)
Key 2025 Updates
- Mandatory pre-arrival submissions:
- Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD) must be completed within 72 hours of arrival.
- Tourist Levy: A separate IDR 150,000 (~AUD 15) payment, introduced in 2024, funds local sustainability projects
Visa Types Simplified
Visa on Arrival (VOA) / e-VOA
- 30-day stay, extendable once (total 60 days).
- Online applicants upload a digital passport photo and scanned biodata page.
B1 Standard Tourist Visa
- Single-entry, 30-day validity, ideal for short trips.
Visit Visa (211A)
- 60-day stay, extendable to 180 days for long-term tourists or family visits
Country-Specific Notes
- Hong Kong passport holders: Exempt for 30-day stays (no visa required).
- Australian travelers: Must show proof of onward travel and pay both VOA fee + tourist levy
Critical Documents Checklist
- Passport with 6+ months validity.
- Return/onward flight ticket.
- Accommodation confirmation (hotel booking or host invitation letter).
- e-VOA approval printout (if applied online).
Tip: Overstaying incurs fines of IDR 1 million per day—extend through the Denpasar Immigration Office at least 7 days before expiry
For families, minors’ visas are processed under parents’ applications, but each passport must meet validity rules. Digital nomads should explore the B211A visa, now popular for remote work stays
Types of Visas for Tourists Visiting Bali
Beyond the standard Visa on Arrival (VOA) and e-VOA, Bali offers specialized visa categories tailored to diverse travel purposes, each with distinct validity periods and conditions.
Short-Term Visas (Under 60 Days)
- B1 Standard Tourist Visa:
- Single-entry, 30-day validity, ideal for quick vacations or attending events.
- Requires proof of accommodation and return flight tickets
- C1 Visit Visa (211A):
- 60-day stay, extendable up to 180 days for family reunions or cultural exchanges.
- Applicants must provide a sponsor letter from an Indonesian citizen or registered entity
Long-Term and Multiple-Entry Options
- D1/D2 Multiple Entry Visit Visas:
- Valid for 1 or 2 years, permitting stays of 60 days per entry.
- Designed for frequent travelers, such as business professionals or retirees with Bali-based family.
- Requires a local sponsor and proof of financial stability (~USD 2,000 in bank statements)
- B211A (Digital Nomad-Friendly):
- 60-day validity, renewable twice (total 180 days).
- Accepts remote work as a valid purpose but prohibits local employment.
Visa-Free Entry Exemptions
Citizens from 9 ASEAN countries (e.g., Thailand, Singapore) and select nations like Brunei enjoy 30-day visa-free access, provided they:
- Hold passports with 6+ months validity.
- Show proof of onward travel within 30 days
Special Cases
- Hong Kong SAR Passport Holders:
- Exempt from visa requirements for 30-day stays but must still pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy
- Transit Passengers:
- Eligible for a 72-hour transit visa if connecting flights are within 24 hours and confirmed.
Critical Considerations
- Extensions: Must be filed at the Denpasar Immigration Office at least 7 days before expiry. Overstaying incurs IDR 1 million/day fines.
- Documentation: All visas require:
- Passport scans (biodata page).
- Recent color photo (4×6 cm, red background).
- Bank statements (for long-term visas)
Note: The e-VOA remains the fastest option for eligible nationals, but offline applications at airports may involve longer queues during peak seasons
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Bali Visa
Here’s how to apply for a Bali visa in 2025, broken down into clear, actionable steps:
1. Choose Your Visa Type
- e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival):
- Fastest option for eligible nationals (e.g., Australia, US, UK).
- Processed online in 5 working days via .
- Airport VOA:
- Pay IDR 500,000 (~USD 35) at designated counters upon arrival.
- B211A (Longer Stays):
- For 60-day stays, extendable to 180 days. Requires sponsorship from an Indonesian entity
2. Prepare Required Documents
- Passport scan (biodata page) with 6+ months validity.
- Return/onward flight ticket (printed or digital).
- Accommodation proof: Hotel booking or host invitation letter.
- Digital photo (4×6 cm, red background) for online applications.
- Tourist levy receipt (IDR 150,000) paid via Love Bali .
3. Apply Online (e-VOA or B211A)
- Visit .
- Select visa type and upload documents.
- Pay via credit/debit card (IDR 500,000 for e-VOA).
- Download the e-VOA approval letter once approved.
4. On Arrival (Airport VOA)
- Proceed to VOA counters at Bali’s international airport/seaport.
- Present:
- Passport.
- Payment in IDR cash (exact amount recommended).
- Printed e-CD (Electronic Customs Declaration) QR code
5. Post-Arrival Steps
- Extensions: File at Denpasar Immigration Office 7+ days before expiry.
- Overstay penalties: IDR 1 million/day—strictly enforced
Pro Tips
- Double-check eligibility: Some nationalities (e.g., Hong Kong) are visa-exempt but must pay the tourist levy.
- Avoid scams: Use only official government portals for applications.
- Print backups: Carry physical copies of all approvals and receipts
For digital nomads, the B211A visa requires additional steps, including sponsorship letters and proof of remote employment. Always verify requirements with the nearest Indonesian embassy if unsure.
Visa Fees and Processing Times
Bali’s visa fees and processing times vary significantly by visa type, with costs ranging from IDR 150,000 (tourist levy) to IDR 2,000,000 for long-term options. The e-VOA remains the most cost-efficient for short stays at IDR 500,000 (~USD 35), payable online via credit/debit card, while the B211A visa for digital nomads costs IDR 1,500,000 (~USD 100) and requires sponsorship documentation
Breakdown of Fees
- Visa on Arrival (VOA):
- IDR 500,000 if paid at airport counters (cash in IDR only).
- IDR 1,000,000 for expedited e-VOA processing within 24 hours (vs. standard 5-day turnaround) .
- Tourist Levy:
- Mandatory IDR 150,000 paid via Love Bali, separate from visa fees.
- Extensions:
- IDR 500,000 per extension (e.g., 30-day VOA to 60 days), processed at Denpasar Immigration Office
Processing Timelines
- e-VOA:
- 5 working days for standard applications; delays occur if passport scans are unclear.
- Urgent applications (24-hour service) incur double the fee .
- B211A Visa:
- 7–10 working days due to sponsor verification requirements.
- Delays common if financial proofs (e.g., bank statements) are incomplete
- Airport VOA:
- Immediate issuance upon payment, but queues can exceed 1 hour during peak seasons (July–August)
Hidden Costs & Penalties
- Overstay fines: IDR 1 million/day, enforced strictly at departure
- Payment errors: Rejected credit card transactions (e.g., international fees) may delay e-VOA approvals.
Pro Tip: For families, minors’ visa fees mirror adult rates, but applications are consolidated under parents’ submissions. Always verify currency conversion rates before payment to avoid shortfalls
Important Tips and Reminders for Travelers
To ensure a smooth Bali visa application process and avoid common pitfalls, travelers should prioritize these critical yet often overlooked details:
- Pre-Arrival Digital Tasks
- Complete the Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD) before landing—its QR code is scanned at immigration. Delays occur if submitted last-minute
- Pay the tourist levy via Love Bali immediately after booking flights. The payment receipt is non-refundable and tied to your passport number.
- Document Precision
- For e-VOA applications, ensure passport scans show all four corners of the biodata page. Blurred edges are the top rejection reason
- Print two copies of visa approvals and hotel confirmations—Indonesian officials often request physical backups despite digital submissions.
- Airport Navigation
- If using airport VOA counters, carry IDR 500,000 in crisp bills. Worn or torn notes may be rejected, and card payments incur 3% foreign transaction fees
- Families with children should queue together—immigration officers process minors’ visas under parents’ applications but verify each passport individually.
- Extension Deadlines
- Mark your calendar: File extensions at the Denpasar Immigration Office 10 days (not 7) before expiry during peak seasons (June–August) due to backlog
- Overstay fines jump to IDR 2 million/day if exceeding 60 days, with possible deportation
- Scam Alerts
- Ignore “visa agents” offering “instant approvals” outside official portals. The only valid e-VOA site is .
- Verify accommodation addresses match your visa application. Random spot checks occur, and discrepancies risk entry denial
Pro Tip: For digital nomads on B211A visas, carry a notarized letter from your employer confirming remote work legitimacy—Indonesian banks may request it when opening local accounts
Always cross-check requirements with your airline 72 hours before departure—carriers like Virgin Australia enforce stricter document checks than Indonesian immigration
Country-Specific Visa Rules and Exemptions
Bali’s visa exemptions and country-specific rules create a complex patchwork of entry requirements, with notable divergences based on nationality. Citizens of ASEAN member states (e.g., Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia) enjoy 30-day visa-free entry, provided they present a passport valid for 6+ months and proof of onward travel within the exemption period However, this privilege excludes Myanmar and Laos, whose citizens must apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) despite ASEAN membership
For Hong Kong SAR passport holders, visa-free access aligns with ASEAN exemptions, but unlike other Chinese nationals (who require pre-arrival visas), they must still pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy separately via the Love Bali portal Meanwhile, Australian travelers face stricter documentation checks: airlines like Virgin Australia mandate proof of onward tickets and accommodation confirmations before boarding, even though these are theoretically verified upon arrival in Bali
European Union nationals from 43 VOA-eligible countries (e.g., Germany, France) benefit from streamlined e-VOA processing but encounter a critical nuance: those entering via non-airport ports (e.g., Benoa Harbour cruise terminals) must apply for a B211A visa in advance, as VOAs are issued exclusively at international airports
Special Cases Requiring Attention
- Indian passport holders: Eligible for VOA but must provide two passport-sized photos (4×6 cm) if applying on arrival, unlike the single photo required for e-VOA applications
- US citizens: While VOA-eligible, immigration officers occasionally request printed bank statements showing USD 2,000+ funds—a requirement not formally listed but enforced inconsistently
- Brunei and Chile: Despite being visa-exempt, travelers from these nations report heightened scrutiny at immigration to confirm their 30-day stay limit isn’t exceeded
Prohibited Nationalities
Citizens of Nigeria, Cameroon, and Afghanistan are barred from VOAs entirely and must secure pre-approved visas through Indonesian embassies, often requiring invitation letters from local sponsors This restriction extends to North Korean nationals, who face additional layers of bureaucratic approval even for tourism visas .
Note: Dual nationals should always travel on the passport matching their flight details—immigration systems flag discrepancies, potentially causing delays or denial of entry
Summary and Final Advice
To ensure a seamless Bali visa experience, prioritize these final action steps and strategic insights:
Essential Pre-Travel Actions
-
Triple-check document validity:
- Passport expiry must exceed 6 months from arrival date—renew early if within this threshold.
- Confirm your e-VOA approval letter matches your passport number exactly; even a single-digit typo voids entry .
-
Levy payment timing:
- Pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy immediately after flight booking. The system links receipts to passport numbers, and delays risk last-minute payment failures Love Bali Portal.
Airport Arrival Tactics
- Avoid peak-hour queues:
- Flights landing between 10 AM–2 PM face the longest immigration lines. Opt for early-morning or late-evening arrivals to bypass crowds.
- Print a secondary copy of your e-CD QR code—phone screen glare or low battery can cause delays
Extension Strategies
- Buffer your extension deadline:
- Submit extension requests 10–14 days before expiry during high season (June–September). Processing backlogs frequently stretch beyond the advertised 7-day window
- Digital nomads on B211A visas should schedule immigration appointments before 3 PM—afternoon slots often face system freezes
Contingency Planning
- Emergency contacts:
- Save the Denpasar Immigration Office hotline (+62 361 227 828) for urgent extension issues.
- Register with your embassy’s Smart Traveler Program (e.g., Australian DFAT) for real-time policy alerts.
Pro-Level Tips
- Currency nuances:
- Carry IDR 2,000,000 in small denominations (~USD 130). Smaller bills are essential for taxi fares, visa extension tips (unofficial but expected), and emergency overstay fines
- Airline loopholes:
- Book refundable onward tickets if unsure of departure dates. Airlines like Virgin Australia enforce ticket checks more rigorously than Indonesian immigration
Final Reminder: Visa rules evolve—verify requirements via the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights portal 72 hours before departure Official Indonesian Immigration. Misinformation from third-party blogs remains a leading cause of entry denials.
