Bali Visa on Arrival Guide: How to get your eVOA for Bali

Yes, you will likely need a visa to enter Bali — but for the majority of tourists, the Bali Visa on Arrival (VOA) is the fastest and easiest option. If you’re from an approved country, you can either apply online before your flight or get the visa stamped right at the airport.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Bali Visa on Arrival in 2025: who can get it, how to apply, how much it costs, how to extend it, and what to do before you land so your arrival in paradise goes smoothly.

If you’re planning to stay longer than 60 days or need a visa for business, digital nomad life, or social visits, you may want to consider the Single Entry Visa (B211A) instead — but for most short-term visitors, the Bali VOA is the way to go.

Read Before You Book Your Flight

You can get a Visa on Arrival at Bali Airport — that’s official Indonesian immigration policy. But here’s the catch: airlines don’t always follow that rule.

A friend of mine was recently flying to Bali from Kuala Lumpur with Batik Air. His travel plans were last minute, and like many tourists, he planned to just get the VOA stamped at Denpasar Airport on arrival.

But at the check-in counter in KL, Batik Air refused to let him board. Why? Because he didn’t have an eVOA approved before the flight.

Even though Indonesian immigration would’ve allowed him in with a VOA, the airline had its own policy: no eVOA, no boarding. There was no negotiation. No boarding pass. And no refund.

This wasn’t a matter of immigration rejecting him — this was the airline setting its own stricter policy. And they’re allowed to do that. Especially low-cost carriers like Batik Air, AirAsia, and Scoot, which often get blamed when passengers are denied entry at their destination.

---

Do You Need a Visa to Enter Bali?

Yes — most travelers do need the ‘Bali Entry Visa’ to enter Bali. It’s a simple process called the Visa on Arrival (VOA).

Indonesia offers several types of entry visas, but unless you’re planning to work, study, or stay long-term, the Bali Visa on Arrival is the most common and convenient option for short-term tourists.

Who qualifies for the Bali Visa on Arrival?

If you hold a passport from one of over 90 eligible countries — including Australia, the US, UK, much of Europe, Singapore, and Hong Kong — you can get a VOA when you land at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). No pre-approval. No embassy visits. Just walk in, pay the fee, and you’re good to go.

What if you’re from a country not on the VOA list?

You’ll need to apply for a visa in advance from an Indonesian embassy or consulate before you travel. If you show up without the proper paperwork, immigration will deny entry. No second chances.

What about ASEAN passport holders?

If you’re from a fellow Southeast Asian nation like Thailand, Malaysia, or the Philippines, you’re in luck — you don’t need a visa at all for short visits of up to 30 days. This is called visa exemption, and it’s completely free.

---

What is the Bali Visa on Arrival?

The Bali Visa on Arrival (VOA) is a short-term tourist visa that allows eligible travelers to enter Indonesia for up to 30 days. It’s specifically designed for tourism, family visits, social purposes, or attending a conference — not for working or long-term stays.

You can get the VOA either:

• On arrival at the airport, or
• Online in advance via the eVOA (electronic Visa on Arrival) system.

Both options cost the same and offer the same privileges — the only difference is how you apply.

Key Features of the Bali VOA:

• Valid for 30 days from the day you enter Indonesia.
• Extendable once for another 30 days (total of 60 days max).
• Cost: IDR 500,000 (~USD $35) — paid in cash or card at the airport, or online if using eVOA.
• Single-entry only — if you leave the country, you’ll need to apply again if you return.

This visa is ideal for short term travelers, digital nomads doing visa runs, or anyone planning a short stay who doesn’t want to deal with embassy paperwork.

---

Getting the Bali eVOA at the Airport

If you’re flying into Bali and want the easiest, no-fuss option, just get your Bali Visa on Arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport. This is what most tourists do — no paperwork before you fly, no printing anything in advance. Just queue up, pay the fee, and you’re stamped in. It’s not fancy, but it works.

Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but this is sometimes the better option – primarily because the Bali VOA official website can be laggy, glitchy, and full of unknown errors during the application.

Step 1: Land at the Airport and follow the “Visa on Arrival” signs.

Once you arrive in Bali, exit the plane and follow the signs toward immigration and visa processing. There’s a dedicated counter for Bali Visa on Arrival — don’t go straight to immigration just yet.

Step 2: Find the Bali VOA Payment Counter

Before immigration, you’ll see signs pointing to the Visa on Arrival counter. Join the queue and get ready to pay your visa fee. Depending on when you arrive, you’ll need some patience.

Step 3: Pay IDR 500,000

The Bali VOA cost is IDR 500,000 (~USD $35). You can pay in Indonesian Rupiah, USD, AUD, EUR, SGD, or with a Visa/Mastercard. Have cash ready in case the card machines are down.

Step 4: Receive Your Visa Slip

After payment, you’ll be handed a printed VOA slip. Keep it handy — you’ll need to show it at the next step.

Step 5: Proceed to Immigration

Take your passport and VOA slip to the immigration officer. They’ll stamp your Visa on Arrival into your passport and officially let you into Indonesia.

---

Getting the Bali Visa on Arrival Online

If you prefer to skip the airport queue and have your visa sorted before you even leave home, apply for the Bali eVOA (electronic Visa on Arrival) online. It’s the same visa, same cost, but it lets you breeze through immigration faster — and makes extensions easier later if you plan to stay more than 30 days.

You can apply for your Bali Visa on Arrival up to 14 days before you land in Bali. For last-minute travel plans, you can apply 48 hours before you depart.

As I mentioned above, the VOA website can be bipolar. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Try your luck first. If it goes through, you’re golden and set up to exit the airport sooner than others.

Step 1: Go to the Bali Visa on Arrival Official Website

Visit the Bali Visa on Arrival Official Website— this is the official immigration portal. Don’t use third-party visa agent sites. Anything else is a scam.

Step 2: Select your Visa type

Create an account, then fill in your personal info. The first page is important. They will ask:

• Your Nationality: The country on your passport
• Your main purpose of visit to Indonesia: If you’re going for the Bali VOA, then it will be “General, Family, or Social”
• The sub purpose of your visit: This will likely be “Tourism, Family Visit, and Transit:
• Choose a Visa: You can go for the B1 (Extendable Visa on Arrival) or C1 (60-day Single Entry Visa)

Step 3: Upload your documents

You’ll need to upload a scanned copy of your passport ID page and a recent passport-style photo (white background, clear face). File size and format rules apply. Minimum 400x600px and max 2mb file size.

Step 4: Fill in your details

This is where they ask for your personal information: full name, place of birth, date of birth, passport number, and where you’ll be staying in Bali. If you’ll be changing hotels or villas, put your initial location details.

In this step, you will also need to provide proof of a return ticket or a ticket to another country.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee online

Pay the IDR 500,000 fee (plus service fees) using a credit or debit card. Most international cards work fine. You’ll get a payment confirmation email after.

Step 5: Download and print your eVOA

Once approved (usually within 24–72 hours), you’ll get your eVOA via email from Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi Republik Indonesia. Download it and print a copy or save a digital version to your phone. Show it to immigration upon arrival in Bali.

With the Bali eVOA, you won’t get a stamp on your passport (what a shame for passport stamp collectors). Instead, you’ll receive the electronic Visa on Arrival (PDF) in your email with a QR code which is scanned on arrival.

---

Bali Visa on Arrival Documents

Whether you’re applying at the airport or online with the eVOA, you’ll need to have a few basic documents ready. No need for piles of paperwork — just the essentials that prove who you are, where you’re staying, and that you plan to leave.

📌 For Both VOA and eVOA, You’ll Need:

• A valid passport
  Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Bali. Shorter validity = no entry.
• Return or onward flight ticket
  Immigration may ask to see proof that you’re leaving Indonesia within 30 or 60 days (depending on whether you plan to extend). A one-way ticket might raise eyebrows.
• Proof of accommodation
  Rarely requested, but technically required. Have a hotel booking, Airbnb reservation, or some confirmation of where you’ll stay — printed or on your phone.
• Visa payment method
  For airport: bring cash and/or card.
  For eVOA: use a valid debit or credit card during the online application.

📌 Extra for eVOA:

• Digital passport photo
  Must be recent, high quality, and on a plain background (white is best). JPE or PNG format.
• Scanned passport ID page
  Clear, full-color scan — not a blurry photo. Make sure it matches the info you type during the application.

---

Bali Visa on Arrival Costs and Payment Options

The cost of the Bali Visa on Arrival is IDR 500,000 (around USD $35), whether you apply at the airport or online via the eVOA system. The price is the same for all nationalities and applies to both adults and children.

💳 How to Pay at Bali Airport

At Ngurah Rai International Airport, you can pay using:

• Cash – IDR is preferred, but they also accept USD, AUD, EUR, and SGD.
• Credit or Debit Card – Visa and Mastercard are accepted, but card machines are notoriously unreliable. It’s smart to have backup cash.

Heads up: If the machines are down or your card gets declined, you could end up stuck in a long line trying to withdraw cash — or worse, held up by immigration. Bring cash just in case.

🌐 How to Pay for the Bali eVOA Online

If you go the eVOA route, payment is made during the application process on the Bali Visa On Arrival Official Website. You’ll pay the same IDR 500,000 using:

• International credit or debit cards (Visa or Mastercard) – This is currently the only accepted payment method for applying for the Bali Visa on Arrival online.

Once payment is confirmed, you’ll receive a receipt and your eVOA will be emailed to you after approval.

---

Bali Visa on Arrival Extension

For your Bali Visa extension, you have two options:

Option 1: Use an Agent (Easiest)

This is what most travelers do. You hand over your passport, pay a service fee, and the agent handles everything with immigration.

• Cost: Usually IDR 800,000–1,200,000 (includes the government fee + agent fee)
• Processing time: Around 7–10 business days
• Pros: Zero stress. You avoid immigration lines.
• Cons: You’ll be without your passport during processing.

Option 2: Do It Yourself (Cheaper, But Slower)

You can go to an immigration office (e.g., in Denpasar, Jimbaran, or Singaraja) and file the extension yourself.

• Steps: Fill out forms, submit passport, get your photo and fingerprints taken, return for pickup.
• Cost: IDR 500,000 (government fee only)
• Time: You’ll make 2–3 trips to the office, so clear your calendar.

When Should You Extend your Bali VOA?

Apply for the extension at least 7–10 days before your initial 30-day visa expires. Don’t leave it to the last minute — overstaying in Bali is not something you want to mess with (you’ll be fined IDR 1,000,000 per day).

---

Who Should Not Get the Bali Visa on Arrival

The Bali VOA is great for most short-term travelers, but it’s not for everyone. If your travel plans don’t fit the 30–60 day window, or you’re doing more than just lounging on the beach, you might need a different visa.

❌ Skip the VOA if:

• You’re staying longer than 60 days
  The VOA can’t be extended more than once. If you’re planning a 2+ month stay, consider applying for a B211A (social or tourism visa) in advance — it’s valid for 60 days upfront and extendable up to 180 days.
• You’re planning to work, volunteer, or earn money
  Whether it’s remote work, teaching yoga, or helping at a retreat — the VOA doesn’t legally cover that. You’ll need a proper visa tied to a work or business permit.
• You’re from a country not eligible for VOA
  If your passport isn’t on Indonesia’s approved list (around 90 countries), you must apply for a visa before arrival at an Indonesian consulate or embassy.
• You’re doing frequent visa runs
  Immigration is cracking down on people using the VOA to bounce in and out of the country. If you’re a digital nomad or slow traveler, get the right visa from the start.

Bottom line: The Bali VOA (aka the Bali Entry Visa) is perfect for a typical 2–4 week Bali trip. But if you’re doing anything outside the tourist mold — plan ahead and look into longer-term options.

---

What If You’re Not Eligible for the Bali eVOA?

If your country isn’t on Indonesia’s list of Visa on Arrival–eligible nations, you can’t just show up and expect to be let in. You’ll need to apply for a visa before your trip — and get it approved before you board your flight.

Your options:

• Apply for a B211A Visit Visa (Tourist/Social Visa)
  This visa is issued by Indonesian embassies or consulates abroad. It’s valid for 60 days upfront and can be extended up to 180 days. You’ll need a local sponsor or use an agent to handle it for you.
• Use an Indonesian visa agent
  Many agents in Bali can act as your sponsor and handle the paperwork remotely. They’ll send you the approved e-visa via email before your trip.
• Don’t risk flying without a visa
  Airlines may deny boarding if you don’t meet entry requirements. Even if you land in Bali, immigration will turn you around and send you back if you’re not eligible for VOA and don’t have a valid visa.

---

Eligible Countries for the Bali VOA

Passport holders from the following countries are eligible to apply for a VOA upon arrival at Bali Airport. VOA is for a single Entry into Bali/Indonesia, for a  stay of up to 30 days and can be extended for a maximum 1 time at the local Immigration Office for a fee. 

Visit the official immigration eVisa website for an updated list of countries that can apply for the Bali Visa on Arrival.

---

Bali Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEA)

If you come from one of the 9 lucky countries with a Visa Exemption Arrangement you don’t need a Visa to enter Bali. It’s only valid for 30 days, and unlike the VOA or B211A, it cannot be extended and is for tourism purposes only.

1. Brunei Darussalam 
2. Cambodia
3. Laos
4. Malaysia
5. Myanmar
6. Philippines
7. Singapore
8. Thailand
9. Vietnam

---

Before You Land in Bali: Quick Checklist

Don’t wait until you’re standing in the immigration line to get your act together. Here’s what you should sort out before you land to save time, money, and hassle:

• Complete the Bali Customs Declaration Form. Fill it out online – one per family. You’ll get a QR code to scan at customs
• Pay the Bali Tourist Tax. All foreign tourists must now pay a one0time IDR 150,000 FEE. Do it ahead to save some time.
• Complete the Indonesia Health Pass. It’s a quick, free, and easy health declaration.
• Book your Bali Airport Transfer in advance to avoid scams and chaos at arrivals.
• Get your International Driving Permit for Bali if you’ll be renting a scooter.
• Buy a SIM Card for Bali in advance so you can hit the ground connected.
• Book a private car and driver to get around Bali in comfort.

---

Final Thoughts: Is the Bali VOA the Right Choice?

If you’re planning a short holiday in Bali — a couple of weeks soaking up the sun, temple hopping, or working remotely from a beach café — the Bali Visa on Arrival is the way to go. It’s cheap, easy, and covers almost everything a typical tourist needs.

Just make sure:

• Your passport is valid for at least 6 months
• You’re from an eligible country
• You’re not planning to overstay or work illegally

Go with the Bali eVOA if you want to skip airport lines or plan to extend later. Stick with the airport VOA if you’re more of a “deal with it when I land” kind of traveler.

For longer stays, digital nomad life, or anything involving business — start looking into a B211A visa or talk to an agent. The last thing you want is trouble at immigration or a forced exit because you overstayed your welcome.

Bottom line: For most travelers, the VOA is your golden ticket to Bali — just don’t mess around with the rules, and you’ll be fine.

---

Bali Visa on Arrival FAQs

---

Leave a Comment

Got a question about the Bali Visa on Arrival? Drop it below and I’ll do my best to help!