Are you planning a trip to Bali in 2026? Older entry guides often combine pandemic-era rules, former visa names and outdated fees. This guide gives a practical route for holders of passports from different countries. The information was checked on 4 September 2026, but immigration rules can change, so check your passport category again on Indonesia's official immigration website before buying a ticket.
What to prepare regardless of nationality
For an ordinary tourist trip you need a valid national passport with at least six months of validity at the time of entry, and a return or onward ticket to a third country. The airline and immigration officers may ask for these documents. An electronic visa does not by itself guarantee admission: the final decision is made by the immigration officer.
The old rule saying that any vaccine with any expiry date was required in 2022 should not be used as a universal requirement today. Health documents or an international vaccination certificate may be required for special health restrictions, particular routes or arrivals from risk areas. Check current health requirements before departure, especially if you have recently been in a country subject to an outbreak-related restriction.
The main distinction: four routes for a foreign tourist
- Bebas Visa Kunjungan (BVK) is visa-free entry for nationals of 16 countries and territories for up to 30 days. It cannot be extended and there is no visa fee.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA) or e-VOA is available to nationals of 97 countries and territories. The initial stay is up to 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, for a possible total of 60 days. The fee is IDR 500,000.
- Tourist visa C1 is an option for nationals whose passport is not in the BVK or VOA list, or for a longer visit. The first stay is up to 60 days; extensions are possible several times up to a total of 180 days. The official C1 information lists a sponsor, a fee of IDR 1,000,000 and proof of funds of at least USD 2,000 or its equivalent.
- A special pre-travel procedure applies to calling-visa passports and to trips whose purpose does not fit ordinary tourism. Do not buy a non-refundable ticket until the appropriate category and documents are confirmed.
The lists overlap. For example, nationals of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and several other countries appear in both BVK and VOA. If 30 days is enough, visa-free entry is simpler; if you need an extension, check whether VOA/e-VOA is available and choose the status before crossing the border.
Who can enter under BVK visa-free entry
According to the current Ngurah Rai Immigration information, the list includes Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Suriname, Colombia, Hong Kong, Türkiye, Brazil and Peru.
For BVK you need a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket. The permitted stay is a maximum of 30 days from the date of entry, with no extension. This facility is intended for tourism, visiting friends and family and certain events; it does not allow you to work, receive payment for work or sell goods and services in Indonesia.
Who can use VOA or e-VOA
VOA/e-VOA is available to nationals of these 97 countries and territories: South Africa, Albania, the United States, Andorra, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, the Netherlands, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, the Philippines, Finland, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Germany, Cambodia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Colombia, South Korea, Croatia, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Egypt, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, France, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, New Zealand, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, China, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Vatican City, Venezuela, Jordan and Greece.
VoA can be obtained on arrival at a designated immigration checkpoint, including I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. It is usually more convenient to apply for e-VOA in advance through the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal; immigration also lists indonesiavoa.vfsevisa.id as an official channel. For e-VOA, prepare a scan of the passport biodata page, a recent colour photo and a return or onward ticket. Use the electronic visa within 90 days of issue.
The 30-day stay is counted from the date of entry. It can be extended once for another 30 days: e-VOA extensions can be made online through the official portal, while a non-electronic VoA is extended through the immigration office covering your place of residence. Do not confuse the visa validity period with the permitted period of stay.
If your country is not on either list
If your passport is not in the BVK or VOA list, that does not automatically mean that you cannot travel. For ordinary tourism, the usual route is to consider the C1 visa and apply before departure through the official evisa system. It gives an initial stay of up to 60 days and can be extended up to a total of 180 days. The C1 process requires a sponsor with an account in the system, a sponsor application and guarantee letter, a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo and proof of funds: a three-month bank statement showing at least USD 2,000 or the equivalent.
Nationals of Afghanistan, Guinea, Israel, North Korea, Liberia, Nigeria and Somalia should take the calling-visa regime into account. Do not assume that ordinary VOA rules apply: check the suitable visa type, sponsor requirement and any additional approval with evisa and an Indonesian consulate before buying a ticket. The same cautious approach applies to temporary, emergency and other travel documents that are not ordinary national passports.
All Indonesia: mandatory arrival card
Since 1 October 2025, international passengers arriving in Indonesia must complete the unified arrival card at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. The form can be completed from three days before arrival. It asks for passport and flight details, your Indonesian address, travel history and information for immigration, health, quarantine and customs. After submitting it, save the QR code on your phone and, ideally, offline or as a PDF.
Bali Levy: a separate charge for foreign tourists
A foreign tourist travelling in Bali for tourism will normally need to pay the provincial tourist levy once: IDR 150,000 per person. Pay cashlessly through Love Bali before the trip or during the stay through registered points. Save the payment voucher with its QR code. Exemptions cover some categories, including diplomatic and official visa holders, crew, KITAS/KITAP holders, family-unification and student visa holders and certain other statuses; check the conditions in Love Bali.
Customs and health
Your baggage declaration is part of the digital arrival process. Complete it accurately and declare goods that require notification. Cash and payment instruments worth IDR 100,000,000 or more, or the equivalent in another currency, must be declared to customs. Do not bring prohibited substances, weapons, restricted goods, or food and plants that require permits assuming that they will not be noticed.
Insurance does not replace a visa and is not listed as a universal document for ordinary tourist entry, but I strongly recommend medical insurance covering treatment and evacuation. Medical care in Bali can be expensive, and a tourist visa does not provide free healthcare.
A short pre-departure checklist
- Check your nationality, passport type and passport validity in the current immigration information.
- Prepare a return or onward ticket and the address where you will stay in Bali.
- Apply for e-VOA or the appropriate visa in advance if your route requires it.
- Complete All Indonesia no earlier than three days before arrival and save the QR code.
- Pay the Bali Levy unless you have confirmed exemption, and save the voucher.
- Keep offline copies of your passport, visa, tickets, booking, insurance and important contacts.
- Do not plan to work under a tourist status: paid activity requires a separate lawful category.
The practical rule is simple: first determine the route for your particular passport and purpose, then arrange the visa and only afterwards buy non-refundable tickets. For unusual cases, rely on a current answer from Indonesian Immigration rather than old posts in travel chats.
Sources: Kantor Imigrasi Ngurah Rai — BVK and VOA information; Kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Pusat — B1/e-VOA; Kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Pusat — C1; All Indonesia; Love Bali — tourist levy; Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai — electronic customs declaration.
