Bali Visa Requirements: What Every Traveller Needs to Know
Most visitors can enter Bali visa-free or buy a visa on arrival. Here is exactly what you need before you fly.
Most travellers visiting Bali do not need to arrange a visa before leaving home. Indonesia offers three main entry options: visa-free entry, a Visa on Arrival (VOA), and the B211A social visit visa for longer stays. The right option depends entirely on your passport and how long you plan to stay.
Citizens of 97 countries qualify for the free Visa on Arrival, which costs IDR 500,000 (roughly USD 30) and is paid at the airport kiosk or online before departure through the official Molina platform at molina.imigrasi.go.id. This gives you 30 days in Indonesia and can be extended once for another 30 days at a local immigration office, giving you a maximum stay of 60 days. Countries covered include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, most of Europe, and many others.
A handful of countries enjoy completely free entry under the Bebas Visa agreement, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and several others. These travellers receive 30 days and cannot extend, so plan accordingly.
Regardless of which visa category applies to you, you must meet several baseline requirements. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date. You need proof of onward travel, meaning a return or connecting flight ticket out of Indonesia. Immigration officers may also ask for proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, though this is not always checked.
If you plan to stay longer than 60 days, work remotely, or do business in Bali, you will need to apply in advance. The B211A social visit visa allows stays of up to 60 days and can be extended multiple times up to 180 days total. Digital nomads and remote workers often use this route combined with the newer Digital Nomad Visa pathway, which allows stays of up to five years for those who earn income from outside Indonesia.
Children travelling on their own passport follow the same rules as adults. Children listed on a parent's passport should verify current Indonesian immigration policy before travel, as passport-sharing rules vary. Always carry printed copies of your onward ticket and accommodation bookings when arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport, as officers do occasionally request them.
The single most important thing you can do before flying is check the official Indonesian immigration website at imigrasi.go.id or contact your nearest Indonesian embassy, because visa policies update regularly. Purchasing your Visa on Arrival online before departure saves time at the airport and lets you use the dedicated fast-track lane, which is worth doing during peak season when queues can be very long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my Bali Visa on Arrival, and how do I do it?
Yes. You can extend the VOA once for an additional 30 days, giving you 60 days total. Visit the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Tuban or any regional immigration office before your first 30 days expire. Bring your passport, a completed extension form, and the extension fee of IDR 500,000. Processing usually takes one to two business days.
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Bali?
US citizens do not need to arrange a visa before departure. They qualify for the Visa on Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport, which costs IDR 500,000 and grants 30 days of stay, extendable once for another 30 days.
Can I work remotely from Bali as a digital nomad?
Yes, but not on a standard Visa on Arrival. Indonesia introduced a Digital Nomad Visa allowing remote workers who earn income from foreign sources to live in Bali legally for up to five years. Many nomads also use the B211A social visit visa as a practical shorter-term option while the digital nomad pathway is processed.
What happens if I overstay my Bali visa?
Overstaying is taken seriously in Indonesia. You will be fined IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay, up to a maximum of 60 days. After 60 days of overstay, you face detention and deportation, as well as a potential ban from re-entering Indonesia. Always extend before your visa expires.
Is the Indonesian Visa on Arrival available on arrival or must I buy it online?
You can purchase it either way. Kiosks inside Ngurah Rai Airport accept card and cash payment. Buying online through the official Molina platform before you fly is faster, cheaper in terms of time, and lets you skip the standard VOA queue by using the dedicated e-VOA lane at immigration.