Bali is more than just a tropical paradise. It’s a cultural haven, a digital nomad hotspot, and a dream destination for millions of travelers each year. But before you dip your toes into its turquoise waters or meditate in a jungle retreat, there’s one important thing you need to tackle: getting your Bali visa.
Understanding Indonesia’s entry regulations can seem daunting, especially with changing rules, multiple visa options, and different stay durations. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning to live and work remotely for months, this guide will break down everything you need to know.
Let’s dive into the 6 essential entry requirements for securing your Bali visa—explained clearly, with real-world tips to help you arrive stress-free.
🧾 1. Choose the Right Type of Visa
Before anything else, you must determine what kind of visa you need. Bali offers several visa types depending on your purpose of visit, such as tourism, business, retirement, or remote work.
✈️ Common Bali Visa Options:
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Ideal for short visits (30 days, extendable once).
- e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival): Apply online before you fly—convenient and recommended.
- B211A (Visit Visa): For longer stays, including business and social visits (up to 180 days with extensions).
- Digital Nomad Visa (Second Home Visa): A relatively new option for long-term remote workers and investors.
- KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit): For those working, retiring, or staying long-term.
- Diplomatic or Official Visas: For government or international organization representatives.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure, start with an e-VOA, then extend or convert it while in Bali if you decide to stay longer.
🛂 2. Valid Passport with Minimum 6 Months’ Validity
A valid passport is your golden ticket. Indonesia strictly enforces the 6-month passport validity rule from the date of entry, not exit.
📌 Requirements:
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- You must have at least one blank visa page.
🌍 Travelers with less than 6 months of validity will be denied boarding or entry, even if they already booked flights or accommodations.
🧳 Tip: Renew your passport early to avoid last-minute hassles. Some embassies process renewals in less than a week for an extra fee.
📑 3. Proof of Return or Onward Travel
To prevent overstayers, Indonesian immigration requires proof that you plan to leave the country before your visa expires.
🧾 Accepted Proof:
- A return ticket to your home country.
- An onward ticket to another destination (e.g., Thailand, Singapore).
- A flexible or refundable ticket (useful if your plans are uncertain).
🧠 Tip: Use flight reservation services or book a cheap ticket out of the country to satisfy this requirement.
💳 4. Sufficient Financial Means
Immigration wants assurance that you can support yourself while in Bali. You may be asked to show proof of financial means at immigration.
💰 What Counts as Proof:
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds (ideally $2,000 USD or more).
- Credit card with a high limit.
- Sponsorship letter, if someone in Indonesia is hosting you.
💼 If applying for a B211A or KITAS, proof of income or deposits is required. For the Second Home Visa, you must show a deposit of 2 billion IDR (approx. $130,000 USD) in an Indonesian bank.
📷 Tip: Carry digital and physical copies of your bank statements when arriving.
🧬 5. Health & COVID-19 Requirements
As of 2025, COVID-19 entry requirements are more relaxed, but some health precautions remain in place.
🩺 Current Health Requirements:
- No mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, but it’s highly recommended.
- Travel insurance covering COVID-19 treatment and emergencies.
- Health declaration forms may be required depending on the current travel policy.
🏥 Travel insurance is strongly encouraged and sometimes mandatory depending on your visa type.
💡 Tip: Choose insurance that includes hospitalization, evacuation, and COVID-19 coverage, especially if you’re planning adventurous activities like surfing or diving.
🖥️ 6. Apply for Visa in Advance (If Needed)
While the VoA and e-VOA are simple for many travelers, other visa types like the B211A or Second Home Visa must be arranged before arrival.
How to Apply:
- Through Indonesia’s Immigration website.
- Via a sponsor or local visa agent.
- At an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate abroad.
📁 Required Documents (may vary by visa type):
- Copy of your passport.
- Bank statements.
- Travel itinerary.
- Letter of employment or sponsorship (if applicable).
- Health insurance.
- Recent passport-sized photographs.
⏳ Processing Times:
- e-VOA: Within hours to 3 working days.
- B211A: 5–10 business days.
- KITAS: Varies; often several weeks.
📌 Tip: Using a trusted visa agent can save time and reduce headaches, especially for longer or more complex visas.
✍️ Additional Tips for a Smooth Bali Arrival
Here are a few expert tips to make your arrival and stay even more effortless:
🚪 Visa Extension Options
If you’re on a Visa on Arrival, you can extend it once for another 30 days at a local immigration office or through an agent. Start the extension process at least 7 days before expiration.
⚠️ Avoid Overstaying
Overstaying your visa—even by a day—can result in fines of 1 million IDR/day (~$65), possible deportation, and being blacklisted. Respect your visa duration.
🌐 Digital Nomads: Consider Long-Term Visas
Indonesia is increasingly welcoming digital nomads. The Second Home Visa allows remote workers to stay up to 5 years if they meet the financial criteria. Bali is actively developing infrastructure to support remote work, co-working hubs, and global freelancers.
🏝️ Why Bali? (If You Still Need Convincing)
Besides its natural beauty, Bali offers:
- 🌊 World-class surf spots
- 🧘 Spiritual wellness retreats
- 🍽️ Incredible cuisine
- 💻 Thriving remote work community
- 🏞️ Stunning landscapes and temples
- 💃 Rich Balinese culture and traditions
Whether you’re a wanderer, artist, yogi, or entrepreneur, Bali welcomes you with open arms—as long as your paperwork is in order.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead and Embrace the Island Life
Bali’s visa process might seem complex at first glance, but with the right preparation, it’s entirely manageable. The key is understanding which visa suits your purpose, collecting the correct documents, and staying compliant with immigration rules.
Once you land, the rewards are infinite: epic sunrises, kind locals, meaningful connections, and unforgettable experiences await. Start your journey informed, and you’ll be sipping a coconut under a palm tree before you know it.
✅ Summary of the 6 Essential Bali Visa Entry Requirements:
- Choose the correct visa type (e.g., VoA, e-VOA, B211A, Second Home Visa, KITAS).
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
- Proof of return or onward travel.
- Sufficient financial means (bank statement or sponsor).
- Health and travel insurance (especially for COVID-19 or emergencies).
- Apply online or through a visa agent in advance for long-term stays.
Take care of these essentials—and let Bali take care of the rest. 🌺
