Indonesia Tourist Visa: Bali and Beyond Entry Guide
Everything you need for entering Indonesia as a tourist, including visa on arrival at Bali, the e-VOA system, visa-free entry, and extension procedures.
Check if you qualify for visa-free entry (30 days, non-extendable)
Citizens of 169 countries qualify for visa-free entry for up to 30 days. This visa-free stamp cannot be extended — if you want the option to stay longer, choose the Visa on Arrival instead.
Consider Visa on Arrival (VOA) for a 30-day extendable stay
The VOA costs 500,000 IDR (about $32 USD) and allows a 30-day stay that can be extended once for another 30 days. Available to citizens of 97 countries at major airports and seaports.
Apply for e-VOA online before travel for faster processing
The electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) is available at molina.imigrasi.go.id. It costs the same 500,000 IDR but lets you skip the VOA counter queue at the airport. Apply at least 48 hours before departure.
Apply at an embassy if your nationality requires a pre-arranged visa
Citizens of countries not eligible for VOA or visa-free entry must apply at an Indonesian embassy 2-4 weeks in advance. The embassy visa costs $50 USD and requires an interview in some locations.
Required Documents for Entry
Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages
Indonesia enforces the 6-month passport validity rule strictly. Airlines will deny boarding if your passport expires within 6 months of arrival. Two blank pages are required — one for the visa, one for entry/exit stamps.
Return or onward ticket out of Indonesia
Immigration officers check for proof of onward travel. A confirmed flight booking out of Indonesia within 30 days (or 60 days if extending) is required. Bus or ferry tickets to neighboring countries also count.
Proof of accommodation for at least the first few nights
A hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your host with their address is typically sufficient. Budget travelers staying at hostels can show the hostel booking confirmation.
Payment method for VOA fee (cash or card)
At the airport VOA counter, payment is accepted in IDR, USD, EUR, or by credit/debit card. For e-VOA, online payment accepts Visa, Mastercard, and JCB. Exact cash speeds up the process.
e-VOA Application Process
Register at molina.imigrasi.go.id
Create an account with your email address. The site can be slow during peak hours — try early morning (GMT+7) for faster loading. The interface is available in English and Indonesian.
Verify your email address
Complete your profile information
Upload passport data page and a selfie photo
The selfie must show your face clearly against a plain background. File size limit is 2MB per upload. Common rejections happen from blurry passport scans — use a scanner app for a sharp image.
Fill in travel details and select your entry point
e-VOA is available at 16 airports and 5 seaports. Ngurah Rai (Bali), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), and Juanda (Surabaya) are the most commonly used. Your actual entry point must match your selection.
Pay 500,000 IDR (approximately $32 USD) online
Payment processes immediately. Some international cards are declined — try a different card if the first fails. You'll receive a payment receipt and e-VOA approval via email, usually within 24-48 hours.
Download and print your e-VOA approval
Print the e-VOA in color and also save it on your phone. At the airport, go directly to immigration — skip the VOA payment counter entirely. The e-VOA QR code is scanned at the immigration booth.
Airport Arrival — Visa on Arrival Counter
Follow signs to the VOA payment counter (before immigration)
The VOA counter is located between the airplane gate and the immigration booths. At Bali's Ngurah Rai airport, it's clearly marked with large signs. Queue times range from 5 minutes to over an hour during peak arrivals.
Pay the 500,000 IDR fee and receive the VOA receipt
Keep the receipt — immigration will ask for it at the next counter. The receipt is stapled into your passport along with the visa sticker. Payment by card sometimes incurs a 2-3% surcharge.
Proceed to immigration with passport and VOA receipt
Have your return ticket and accommodation details ready in case the officer asks. Processing takes 2-5 minutes per person. The officer will stamp your passport with a 30-day stay permit.
Extending Your Stay
Apply for a VOA extension at a local immigration office
Extensions are only possible if you entered on a Visa on Arrival (not the visa-free stamp). Apply at the immigration office in your area at least 7 days before your visa expires. The extension costs 500,000 IDR.
Locate your nearest immigration office (kantor imigrasi)
Bring passport, passport photo (4x6 cm), and return ticket
Use a visa agent for the extension process
Local visa agents in Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta handle the entire extension for 300,000-500,000 IDR on top of the government fee. They save you 2-3 trips to the immigration office. Ask your hotel for agent recommendations.
Attend the biometric appointment at the immigration office
You must appear in person for fingerprinting and a photo. This appointment is scheduled 7-14 days after your initial application. Bring your passport — the officer keeps it for 3-5 days for processing.
Pick up your passport with the extension stamp
Collection is typically 3-5 business days after biometrics. The extension gives you an additional 30 days from the date of your original visa expiry, for a total maximum stay of 60 days.
Overstay penalties — 1,000,000 IDR per day
Overstaying costs 1,000,000 IDR (about $65 USD) per day, up to a maximum of 60 days. After 60 days of overstay, you face detention, deportation, and a potential entry ban of 1-5 years. Pay fines at the airport immigration office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Bali or Indonesia?
Citizens of most countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Indonesian airports and seaports for IDR 500,000 (approximately $32). The VOA is valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days. Citizens of 10 ASEAN nations can enter visa-free for 30 days. A free visa (Visa Bebas Kunjungan) is available for citizens of select countries for 30-day non-extendable stays.
Can I extend my Indonesia tourist visa?
The Visa on Arrival can be extended once for an additional 30 days (60 days total) at any immigration office in Indonesia. The extension costs IDR 500,000 and takes 5-7 business days to process. Apply at least 7 days before your current visa expires. You need your passport, a passport photo, a completed application form, and proof of onward travel. Many visitors use visa agents who handle the process for an additional fee of IDR 200,000-500,000.
What is the Indonesia B211A visa for digital nomads?
The B211A Social/Cultural visa allows stays of 60 days, extendable up to 180 days total (with multiple 60-day extensions). It is popular among digital nomads and long-term visitors. The visa requires a sponsor (a local Indonesian citizen or company) and costs approximately $120-300 through a visa agency. Indonesia also launched a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (B5 Second Home Visa) requiring proof of $130,000+ in savings or investments, though the B211A remains more accessible for most travelers.
What are the customs rules for entering Indonesia?
Each adult visitor can bring in up to 200 cigarettes (or 25 cigars or 100g of tobacco), 1 liter of alcohol, and personal items worth up to $500 duty-free. Indonesia has strict drug laws with penalties up to death for drug trafficking. Electronic cigarettes and vape liquid are technically restricted but not consistently enforced at airports. You must declare cash amounts over $10,000 USD equivalent. Pornographic material, printed or digital, is illegal in Indonesia.