Bali Visa Requirements 2026: Every Option Explained

1. Do You Need a Visa for Bali?

The first thing to understand is that Bali does not have its own visa system. Bali is a province of Indonesia, and the same Indonesian immigration rules apply whether you're landing in Denpasar, Jakarta, Surabaya, or Medan. When people ask about "Bali visa requirements," they're really asking about Indonesian visa requirements. For the full picture, see our complete Indonesia visa guide.

The good news is that Indonesia has one of the more accessible visa systems in Southeast Asia. Citizens of 169+ countries can enter Indonesia without pre-arranging a visa — either through the Visa on Arrival (VoA) program or, for a smaller group of nationalities, the Free Visa Exemption. Only citizens of countries not covered by either program need to visit an Indonesian embassy before traveling.

Your entry options depend on three key factors: your nationality, how long you plan to stay, and what you'll be doing in Indonesia. For a holiday of up to 60 days, the VoA covers the vast majority of travelers. For planned stays of up to 60 days where you want certainty before traveling, or for multiple return trips, Indonesia offers pre-arranged visit visas (C1 and C2) under the ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan) framework. Remote workers employed by a foreign company should use the E33G Remote Worker KITAS instead — it provides a 1-year legal stay. For those planning to live in Indonesia indefinitely — through retirement, family, or investment — a KITAS (limited stay permit) is the appropriate path.

Citizens of most countries who aren't sure which category they fall into should start by checking whether their nationality qualifies for the VoA or visa exemption. The official list is maintained at imigrasi.go.id and is updated periodically as Indonesia adjusts its bilateral agreements.

2. Visa on Arrival (VoA)

The Visa on Arrival is by far the most popular entry option for international visitors to Bali. It's straightforward, affordable, and available to citizens of over 169 countries, including all EU member states, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Asia.

Key Details

• Initial stay: 30 days from date of entry
• Extension: One extension of 30 additional days (total maximum: 60 days), applied for at any immigration office
• Multiple entries: No — single entry per VoA stamp

Where to Get It

The VoA counter is located inside Ngurah Rai International Airport, before the main immigration desks. Look for signs reading "Visa on Arrival" or "e-VOA" as you proceed from the aircraft through the terminal. It is essential to stop at this counter before joining the general immigration queue — you cannot pay at the immigration desk itself.

The VoA is also available at other major Indonesian airports: Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Juanda (Surabaya), Kualanamu (Medan), Lombok International, and several international seaports and land border crossings.

What You Need

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date
• Return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host's address)
• Payment of the VoA fee (cash in IDR or USD, or credit/debit card at equipped counters)

Online Pre-Payment Option

Indonesia offers an online pre-payment system at molina.imigrasi.go.id. You can pay the VoA fee before your flight, receive a QR code, and use the dedicated "e-VoA" fast lane at the airport — which is typically much shorter than the standard VoA queue. This is strongly recommended for Bali arrivals, particularly during peak season (July–August and December–January) when queues can be long.

3. Visa Exemption Countries

A smaller group of nationalities benefit from Free Visa Exemption — meaning they can enter Indonesia without paying any visa fee. As of 2026, this applies primarily to ASEAN member states and a small number of countries with bilateral free-entry agreements with Indonesia.

Countries typically included in the visa exemption program include: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Morocco. Citizens of these countries can enter for up to 30 days at no cost.

Important limitation: Visa-exempt entry cannot be extended. If you hold visa-exempt entry and want to stay longer than 30 days, you must depart Indonesia and either re-enter (subject to immigration officer discretion) or arrange a different visa type before your next visit.

Because of this limitation, visitors from visa-exempt countries who plan to stay more than 30 days are often better served by paying for a VoA (which can be extended) or applying for a C1 visit visa (ITK) before arriving.

4. C1 & C2 Visit Visas (ITK)

For travelers who want a pre-arranged, pre-approved visa before they fly, Indonesia offers visit visas under the ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan) framework — which translates as Visit Stay Permit. These are applied for online through Indonesia's official e-visa portal before travel and cover two main use cases: planned single-entry longer stays (C1) and multiple return visits (C2). Both sit within the same ITK permit category and are formally registered in the national immigration system.

C1 Visa — Single-Entry Visit (Up to 60 Days)

The C1 visit visa is the right choice if you're planning a longer trip to Bali and want your entry approved before you fly. Unlike the Visa on Arrival, the C1 is applied for in advance and gives you a confirmed single-entry stay of up to 60 days.

• Stay: Up to 60 days per visit
• Entries: Single entry
• Application: Online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id before travel
• Sponsor required: Yes — an Indonesian national or registered entity
• Processing: Approximately 3–7 business days

The C1 is well-suited for extended holidays, cultural or language study stays, and visits to family in Bali where you want the certainty of pre-approved entry. Your stay permission is confirmed in the national immigration system before you arrive — no queuing at the airport VoA counter required.

C2 Visa — Multiple-Entry Visits

The C2 visit visa is designed for travelers who make repeated trips to Indonesia. Instead of applying for a new visa each time, the C2 allows multiple entries within the permit's validity period — making it the practical choice for anyone who returns to Bali regularly throughout the year.

• Entries: Multiple entries permitted within validity period
• Application: Online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id before travel
• Sponsor required: Yes — an Indonesian national or registered entity
• Processing: Approximately 3–7 business days

The C2 is ideal for frequent visitors who split their time between Bali and home, or who make regular return visits for personal or social reasons. Like the C1, it is issued as an ITK permit — a formally approved residency permission rather than an on-arrival stamp.

Both the C1 and C2 are visit visas (ITK), not work permits. They do not authorise employment with Indonesian companies or receipt of Indonesian-source income. For remote workers employed by a foreign company, the E33G Remote Worker KITAS remains the appropriate permit — see the KITAS section below.

5. KITAS Visas for Long-Term Residents

For those planning to live in Bali for more than 180 days — or indefinitely — the appropriate path is a KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or Limited Stay Permit). KITAS is not a visa per se, but a residency permit issued after entering on an appropriate visa. Several categories exist depending on your situation:

Retirement KITAS (E33 Series)

The E33 retirement visa and associated KITAS is available to those aged 55 and over with sufficient passive income. Valid for 1–5 years and renewable. Bali is the most popular destination for retirement KITAS holders in Indonesia. See our retirement visa guide for full details.

Work KITAS (C313 Series)

Foreign nationals employed by Indonesian companies need a work permit and associated KITAS. This requires employer sponsorship, RPTKA approval from the Ministry of Manpower, and is a more involved process than tourist visas. See our work visa guide for details.

Family KITAS (E31 Series)

Spouses and dependent children of Indonesian citizens or KITAS holders can apply for a family-based KITAS. The E31A (spouse of Indonesian citizen) is the most commonly used in this category. See our family visa guide for eligibility details.

Investor KITAS (E28 Series)

Foreign investors in Indonesian companies, particularly through PT PMA (foreign-invested companies), can obtain investor KITAS through the E28 series. Investment minimums apply. See our investment visa guide for the full breakdown.

6. Entry via Ngurah Rai Airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar is Bali's primary international gateway and handles millions of international arrivals per year. Here's what to expect when you land:

The VoA Process at Ngurah Rai

1. Disembark and follow signs toward "Immigration" — but before you reach the immigration booths, look for the "Visa on Arrival" or "e-VOA" counter area.
2. VoA counter location: The VoA payment counters are situated before the main immigration desks. They're clearly signposted in the arrivals area.
3. If you pre-paid online via molina.imigrasi.go.id, look for the dedicated e-VoA fast lane — it typically has a much shorter queue.
4. Pay the VoA fee (cash or card) and receive your stamp approval or confirmation.
5. Proceed to immigration desks with your passport and VoA approval for the entry stamp.
6. Complete arrival card (digital or paper — Indonesia has been transitioning to a digital system).

Practical Tips

• Queue times: On busy arrival days (particularly weekend mornings and holiday season), VoA queues at Ngurah Rai can take 20–45 minutes. Pre-paying online is the most effective way to avoid this.
• Currency: While USD is often accepted at VoA counters, having IDR ready is always useful. Airport ATMs are available near arrivals.
• Passport validity: Confirm your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your planned departure date before you travel — this is checked at the counter.
• Return ticket: Immigration officers may ask to see your return or onward flight booking. Have it accessible on your phone.
• Accommodation proof: A hotel booking confirmation or contact details for where you're staying is useful to have ready.

Other Entry Points to Bali

While Ngurah Rai handles the vast majority of international arrivals, Bali can also be entered via domestic connections from other Indonesian airports. If you've already cleared immigration at another Indonesian international airport (e.g., Jakarta), you won't need to go through the VoA process again for Bali — you'll be traveling on a domestic connection.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my Bali visa?

Yes, with conditions. The Visa on Arrival can be extended once for an additional 30 days (total maximum: 60 days). To extend, visit the nearest immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) before your current visa expires. Our visa extension guide covers the process in detail. In Bali, the main immigration office is in Renon, Denpasar. Bring your passport, current VoA stamp, and completed extension form. Processing is typically same-day or within 1–2 business days.

Can I work in Bali on a tourist visa?

No. Visit visas (VoA, C1, and C2 ITK) do not permit working for Indonesian companies or receiving Indonesian-source income. Doing so is a violation of your visa conditions and can result in fines, detention, deportation, and a re-entry ban. If you are employed by a foreign company and want to work remotely from Bali, the correct permit is the E33G Remote Worker KITAS — a 1-year limited stay permit requiring proof of foreign employment and annual income of at least USD 60,000.

How long can I stay in Bali?

It depends on your visa type. On a Visa on Arrival with extension: maximum 60 days. On a C1 visit visa: up to 60 days. On a KITAS (retirement, work, family, or investor): typically 1–5 years, renewable. For a detailed comparison of fees across all visa types, see our visa cost guide. There is no official limit on how many times you can return to Indonesia on a VoA, but frequent "visa run" patterns can attract scrutiny from immigration officers.

Is there a Bali-specific visa?

No. Indonesia does not issue destination-specific visas. All Indonesian visa rules apply nationally — the same visa that allows you to enter Bali also allows you to travel anywhere else in Indonesia. There is no separate Bali visa, Bali tourist permit, or any other Bali-specific immigration document.