For a trip to Bali most short-stay tourists need a visa on arrival (VoA). You can arrange this online in advance (e-VOA) or buy it on arrival. You also sort out the tourist levy and a digital customs QR before arrival. Here's everything at a glance. Note: rules can change — always check the official websites before you travel.
Arrange it directly — official sites
Always use the official government sites — avoid expensive middlemen. Below you'll find when and how to arrange each step.
How do you apply for the visa?
There are two ways:
- e-VOA (recommended): apply online in advance via the official Indonesian immigration site: evisa.imigrasi.go.id. You fill in your details, pay by credit card and receive the e-VOA by email. If you arranged it in advance, you don't need to scan anything from your e-VOA on arrival: walk straight to the electronic gates, scan your passport and you're through. You can apply for the e-VOA as early as about 3 months (90 days) before arrival, so sort it out well in advance.
- Visa on Arrival: buy the visa on arrival at Denpasar airport. Expect an extra queue.
Only use the official government site — there are many expensive middlemen that charge extra.
Cost & validity
- The VoA/e-VOA is valid for 30 days and costs around 500,000 IDR (± €30).
- Your passport must still be valid for at least 6 months.
- You need a return or onward ticket.
Before you leave: tourist levy & customs QR
Besides your visa, there are two more things to arrange before Bali — add them to your preparation:
- Bali tourist levy (± IDR 150,000 p.p.): pay this one-off fee online via the official Love Bali site and keep the QR code/voucher. You can do this in advance; show the QR on arrival.
- Digital customs declaration (e-CD, “All Indonesia”): fill in your details and get a QR code to scan at customs. This can be done at most 2 days before arrival — not earlier, because you can't select your arrival date yet. You can download the “All Indonesia” app, but in our experience it often doesn't work well — so do it via the All Indonesia website instead.
Timeline: e-VOA up to ~3 months ahead · tourist levy any time in advance · customs QR at most 2 days before arrival.
Staying longer than 30 days?
Already know you'll stay longer than 30 days? Apply for a 60-day visa straight away — it saves hassle. If you do pick 30 days and want to extend later (once, up to 60 days total), you do that via the website. Important: in that application you state which hotel you're staying at; based on that the nearest immigration office is selected. You'll get a message to report there before a certain date for a photo — expect some waiting. Processing then takes about 5 working days.
Do it in good time. Example: if you only extend on day 29 and leave 3 days later (32 days total), customs may raise an overstay flag on departure. They then verify with the office where your photo was taken that you actually attended — and if that office is closed at night (a night flight), you have a problem. So start the extension well in advance, or choose 60 days from the start.
What if you stay too long (overstay)?
If you stay longer than your visa allows, you risk a daily fine (around 1,000,000 IDR per day) and problems on departure. So extend in time or leave in time. Add your visa dates to your trip plan so you don't get caught out.
Departure: how fast are you through the airport?
On departure you may — as anywhere — face some delay at bag drop and security. Immigration/customs on the way out is usually as smooth as on arrival: through the electronic gates with your passport. In our experience, travelling with hand luggage only, you're from the airport entrance to the gate in about 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa for Bali?
Yes. Most short-stay tourists buy a visa on arrival (30 days, ± €30) or arrange an e-VOA online in advance via the official Indonesian immigration site.
Can you apply for the Bali visa online in advance?
Yes, via the official e-Visa/e-VOA website of Indonesian immigration. You pay by credit card and receive the e-VOA by email. Only use the official government site.
How much does a Bali visa cost?
Around 500,000 IDR (± €30) for 30 days. An extension of another 30 days costs a fee again.
Can you stay in Bali longer than 30 days?
Yes, you can extend the VoA/e-VOA once by 30 days (60 in total). For a longer stay you need a different type of visa.
Do you have to pay a tourist tax for Bali?
Yes, Bali charges a one-off tourist levy of about IDR 150,000 (± €9) per person. Pay it online via the official Love Bali site and keep the QR code; show it on arrival.
When do you apply for the e-VOA and the customs QR?
You can apply for the e-VOA up to about 3 months before arrival. The digital customs declaration (QR) via the All Indonesia app is filled in only shortly beforehand — usually about 2 days before arrival.
Plan your trip
