Bali Visa on Arrival and B211A Visit Visa: Expat Guide 2026
Planning to live in Bali long-term? This guide covers the Visa on Arrival, the B211A Visit Visa, costs, extensions, and what serious expats need to know before arriving.
If you are moving to Bali or planning to stay longer than a short holiday, understanding your visa options from day one will save you enormous stress and money. Indonesia offers two entry pathways that most expats start with: the Visa on Arrival (VoA), officially called the Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan, and the B211A Visit Visa, which is applied for online before you travel. Neither of these is a long-term residency solution on their own, but knowing how to use them correctly, and when to move on to a more suitable visa, is the foundation of legal life in Bali.
The Visa on Arrival is available to citizens of most countries and can be purchased at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar immediately after you land. As of 2026, the fee is approximately IDR 500,000 (roughly USD 30 to 35, confirm current rates) and grants you a 30-day stay. Crucially, the VoA can be extended once at a local immigration office, giving you a total of 60 days in Indonesia. You pay the same fee again at the immigration office, so budget roughly IDR 1,000,000 total for a full 60-day stay via this route.
To extend your VoA, you must visit the Kantor Imigrasi (Immigration Office) in Denpasar, located on Jalan Panjaitan in the Renon area. You can also use a licensed visa agent in Bali to handle the paperwork for you. Agent fees typically range from IDR 300,000 to IDR 600,000 on top of the government fee, which is worth it if you are unfamiliar with the process. Bring your original passport, a photocopy of your passport data page, your arrival stamp page, and a recent passport-size photo. The process usually takes two to four working days.
The B211A Visit Visa is the more flexible option for expats who want to plan ahead. It is a single-entry visa issued through the Indonesian e-Visa system at molina.imigrasi.go.id, applied for before you depart. It grants an initial 60 days and can be extended up to four times in-country, each extension adding 30 days, for a theoretical maximum stay of around 180 days on one visa. This makes it genuinely useful for people testing life in Bali before committing to a longer-term visa category.
To apply for the B211A online, you will need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a recent digital passport photo, proof of onward travel or return flight, proof of accommodation in Bali (a hotel booking or a rental agreement works), and proof of sufficient funds, typically a recent bank statement showing a balance of at least USD 1,500 to USD 2,000 (confirm requirements as these are reviewed periodically). The government fee for the B211A is approximately USD 50 to USD 60 as of 2026, confirm current rates at the official Directorate General of Immigration website.
Each extension of the B211A is processed at the Denpasar Immigration Office or through a registered agent. Each 30-day extension costs approximately IDR 500,000 in government fees. Processing takes two to five working days on average. Popular and reputable visa agents in Bali include Bali Immigration Agency, PT Bali Deli Consulting, and several smaller operators based in Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. Always verify that your agent holds a valid operational license before handing over your passport.
A critical point that many new expats misunderstand: neither the VoA nor the B211A is a work visa. Working for any company, running a business, or receiving income from Indonesian sources while on these visas is illegal. If you are a remote worker earning income from clients outside Indonesia, the legal landscape is gray and shifting. As of 2026, Indonesia has introduced the Digital Nomad Visa (officially part of the Second Home Visa framework), which may be a better long-term fit. Speak to a licensed immigration consultant about your specific situation before assuming remote work is risk-free on a visit visa.
For expats who decide Bali is home, the most common long-term visa pathways beyond the B211A include the KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or Limited Stay Permit), which requires an Indonesian sponsor such as an employer or a spouse, and the KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit) for those who have held a KITAS for several consecutive years. The Second Home Visa, introduced in 2022 and refined since, allows wealthy individuals to stay for five or ten years with proof of substantial funds or property investment. Each of these requires working with a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant.
Health insurance is relevant to your visa situation in a practical way. Some B211A extensions and longer-stay visa applications ask for proof of valid health insurance covering your stay in Indonesia. Reliable international health insurance providers used by Bali expats include Pacific Cross, AXA International, Cigna Global, and Allianz Care. Locally, BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia's national health scheme, is available to legal residents on a KITAS but not to those on visit visas. Major hospitals in Denpasar and South Bali that handle expat care include BIMC Hospital in Kuta and Nusa Dua, Siloam Hospital in Denpasar, and BROS Hospital in Denpasar.
One practical tip many expats learn the hard way: do not let your visa lapse. Overstaying in Indonesia carries a fine of IDR 1,000,000 per day (confirm current rate), and extended overstays can result in detention and deportation. Set a calendar reminder at least ten days before your visa expires so you have time to apply for an extension or depart. If you are using an agent, hand over your passport at least seven to ten working days before your current permit expires to avoid any risk.
The so-called visa run, where expats left Indonesia briefly to reset their tourist visa status, is largely a thing of the past for this visa category. The VoA can only be extended once, and the B211A has a defined maximum stay regardless of exits and re-entries mid-visa. If you exit Indonesia on a B211A and re-enter, your original visa validity clock continues; you do not reset it. Plan your travel accordingly and always re-read the current conditions on your visa sticker before booking flights.
Finally, immigration rules in Indonesia change with meaningful frequency. The rules described in this guide reflect the framework as understood in early 2026, but fees, processing times, and requirements are subject to revision by the Directorate General of Immigration. Always cross-check any detail with the official Indonesian immigration portal at imigrasi.go.id or with a licensed local agent before making travel or financial decisions based on visa assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my Bali Visa on Arrival more than once?
No. The Visa on Arrival can only be extended one time at the immigration office, giving you a maximum of 60 days total. If you want to stay longer, you need to either depart and re-enter on a new visa, or apply for the B211A Visit Visa before your next trip.
How many times can the B211A Visit Visa be extended inside Indonesia?
The B211A can be extended up to four times, each extension adding 30 days to your stay. Starting from the initial 60-day entry, the maximum stay on a single B211A is approximately 180 days in total, though you should confirm the current rules with the Denpasar Immigration Office or a licensed agent.
Can I work remotely on a B211A Visit Visa in Bali?
This is a gray area legally. The B211A is a visit visa and does not authorize work for Indonesian companies or clients. Remote work for foreign clients is not explicitly covered in most cases, but it is not formally authorized either. Indonesia has introduced a separate Digital Nomad pathway under the Second Home Visa framework, which may be more appropriate. Consult a licensed immigration consultant for advice specific to your situation.
Where do I extend my visa in Bali and how long does it take?
Extensions are processed at the Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus TPI Ngurah Rai, located on Jalan Panjaitan in Renon, Denpasar. Processing typically takes two to five working days. Many expats use licensed local agents in areas like Canggu, Seminyak, or Ubud to handle the paperwork, which adds a service fee of roughly IDR 300,000 to IDR 600,000 but saves time and reduces errors.
What documents do I need to apply for the B211A Visit Visa before arriving in Bali?
You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a digital passport photo, proof of a return or onward flight, proof of accommodation such as a hotel booking or rental agreement, and a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds, typically around USD 1,500 to USD 2,000. Apply through the official Indonesian e-Visa portal at molina.imigrasi.go.id and confirm all document requirements before submitting, as they are subject to change.
What happens if I overstay my visa in Bali?
Overstaying is taken seriously by Indonesian immigration authorities. The fine is IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay, confirm the current rate, and extended overstays can lead to detention and a deportation order that may include a ban on re-entering Indonesia. Always apply for an extension or depart at least several days before your visa expires to give yourself a buffer.