Bali is a popular holiday destination in Indonesia. Its appeal to Indian travellers goes beyond its natural beauty, waterfront resorts and laid-back environment. The magnificent local culture and traditions tied to Balinese Hinduism and the availability of fun adventures play a major role in drawing an international audience to this Indonesian province. If you are planning your next trip to this majestic destination, make sure to go through and understand its visa process to ensure a smooth vacation experience.
A Bali visa is an official document issued by the designated authorities in Indonesia, allowing your entry to the country for a particular number of days and for a particular reason. A Bali visa is generally for individuals who are planning on visiting Bali for social visits, business meetings, tourism, transit, etc. Without having a proper visa (if it applies in your case), you can not enter Bali, Indonesia. There are different types of Bali visas available, which mainly depend on your nationality, purpose and length of stay.
Individuals planning on visiting Bali for the purpose of tourism, sourcing, transit, social visits, etc. (making money or working in Indonesia not allowed), can choose from the following visa options;
The Bali visit visa, aka Visa on Arrival or VoA, is a 30-day visa that passport holders of over 90 countries, including India, can choose. Though it is called VoA, you can apply for it in advance before your arrival, which is advised. The code for a Bali visit visa is B1 (for tourist purposes), B2 (for business purposes), B3 (for medical visits), and B4 (for government-related visits). It can only be extended once for another 30 days, providing a total stay of 60 days, after which you must leave the country.
People who are not eligible for 30-day VoA are required to apply for the 211A Visa prior to their arrival. It is a single-entry, 60-day visa, which can be extended twice for 60 days each while you are in the country
The D1 and D2 visit visas are multiple entry visas, valid for one, two or five years. D1 is for tourism purposes and D2 is for business purposes. For each entry, this visa allows you to stay for up to 60 days per visit.
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If you intend to visit Bali to take up employment, you will need special paperwork for the stay and work. To do so, you will first need to get a KITAS, which is a type of limited-stay permit card, allowing you to enter Indonesia and stay there. Following its release, you can apply for a special work permit called IMTA, which will legally let you work in Bali.
In order to get a Bali visa, individuals will need to apply for it on the official portal of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia. Here are the steps for the application;
After your visa application is reviewed and approved, a download link for the visa will be sent to the inbox of your registered email address.
Here is the list of documents one may need to provide when applying for a Bali visa and/or at the time of immigration upon arrival;
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Do note that the requirement of documents for a Bali visa can vary depending on the type of visa you intend to apply for. For example, Indians planning on getting a Bali tourist single entry visitor visa - 60 days, will need to provide proof of adequate living expenses of at least USD 2,000 or equivalent. However, this is not necessary in the case of Bali B1 tourist Visa on Arrival, where just a valid passport and outbound ticket from Indonesia should do the job.
The latest changes in the Bali visa sector have also affected its cost. As the cost depends on the type of visa, it is best to find a suitable type of visa for your travel needs first. Here is the current chart of Bali visa fees depending on the visa type;
Visa type | Visa fee in Indonesian Rupiah | Visa fee in INR (approx.) as of August 7th, 2024 |
B1 Tourist (VoA) - 30 Days | IDR 500,000 | INR 2,600 |
Tourist Single Entry Visitor Visa - 60 Days | IDR 1,500,000 | INR 7,800 |
D1 - Tourist Multiple Entry Visa (5 Years) | IDR 15,000,000 | INR 78,000 |
D1 - Tourist Multiple Entry Visa (2 Years) | IDR 6,000,000 | INR 31,200 |
D1 - Tourist Multiple Entry Visa (1 Years) | IDR 3,000,000 | INR 15,600 |
When applying for a Bali visa online, you can make the payment for the visa fee via Mastercard, SIMPONI, Visa or JCB debit or credit card. If you are obtaining a Bali tourist visa upon arrival in Bali, you can pay the fee in cash or by credit card.
Now that you are learning about different types of Bali visas, it is crucial to understand their validity, extension and renewal process. All of these vary depending on the visa type and here’s what you should know about them;
It allows a stay in Bali of up to 30 days and the visa validity is 90 days.
It can be extended only once for 30 days, offering a total of 60 days of stay.
After extending it, you can not get another B1 tourist visa while staying in Indonesia. You will have to leave the country and come back in order to be able to apply for it again.
This visa allows a stay of up to 60 days in Bali initially. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of its issue.
It can be extended twice, each time for 60 days. This means, under this visa, you can get a maximum stay in Bali, Indonesia, for up to 180 days without having to leave.
After the maximum allowed stay under this visa is over, you will need to leave the country. You can re-apply for it again afterwards.
The visa is valid for 1, 2 or 5 years from the date of its issue and allows multiple entries, with a maximum stay of 60 days per entry.
This type of visa can not be extended beyond its designated time.
This type of visa can not be renewed and you will have to apply for a new one after it expires.
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You should know that close to the immigration counter, you can find a separate queue for families with elderly (over 60) and small children (under 5). This can help ease the immigration process, making it hassle-free and quicker. If you are not able to locate the queue, make sure to ask for assistance from airport staff.
After landing at the airport, it is crucial that you go through the arrival and immigration process properly in order to ensure a smooth travel experience. This is why, having prior knowledge on what to do and expect can help you glide through this step. Here’s what you will need to do before and after landing at the airport in Bali;
After applying for a Bali visa online, you can track its status by using the application number. Here’s how you can do it;
If in any case, you are unable to track the status of your Bali visa application online, make sure to contact the visa application centre or the Consulate immediately. Also, stay up to date on the application status so that you can resolve any issue in a prompt manner if the need arises.
If your visa application gets rejected, it may give rise to challenges and hamper your vacation. It is important that you take the Bali visa application process seriously and complete it with care. Following is a list of tips that you can follow to increase the chances of your visa application getting approved;
The first step when applying for a Bali visa is to check your eligibility. If you meet the required criteria without any issues, there’s a high chance your visa application will be processed and approved.
Applying for the visa early is essential as it leaves room for errors. So, in the event you face any delay or errors with the form, you can rectify the mistakes without losing essential time or money on the vacation. Also, visa applications take time to get processed, especially during peak tourism season, so applying early is highly advised.
You must apply for a visa type that fits your travel criteria. For example, if you intend to stay in Bali for more than 60 days, you won’t be able to do that with a B1 tourist visa.
When filling out the Bali visa application form, make sure to carefully read everything. Any mistake while filling out the form can lead to the application getting rejected. So, after carefully filling out the form, make sure to go through it to verify the details once again.
After filling out the application form, make sure to pay the required visa fee as soon as possible to complete the application and submit it.
The documents you provide at the time of applying for a Bali visa should be valid and original. Any discrepancies found in such documents can lead to the application getting rejected, so be mindful.
If you are not good with the internet or are new to the whole process, it is better to get help from someone who is familiar with this stuff. Although the process is simple, it is best to leave it to someone experienced as it minimises the risk of errors while filling out the form. You can ask for help from your family members, or friends or pay an online visa consultant service to get it done on your behalf.
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Here are some steps that you can complete before arrival in Bali for a smooth immigration experience;
1. If you are eligible for an e-VoA, make sure to apply for it before arrival.
2. Complete the electronic customs declaration form.
3. Pay the necessary Bali tourist tax, which can also be done before arrival. The current tourist tax amount is IDR 150,000/person.
For further assistance or queries, you can contact the Indonesian embassy or consulate in India. Here is its contact information;
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, 50-A Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021
+91-11- 26118642-46
+91-11-26874402, 26886763
www.kemlu.go.id/newdelhi
Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, 19 Altamount Rd. Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026, India
+91 22 2351 1678/2353 0900/ 2353 0940
+91 22 2351 0941/ 2351 5862
https://www.kemlu.go.id/mumbai/en
Bali is one of the most sought-after international holiday destinations for Indians for a variety of reasons. One of which is the simple and straightforward visa application process that it offers. The availability of e-VoA and VoA has also made it easier for Indian travellers to make their dream vacations in Bali a reality. Although it is a simple process, learning about the types of visas available, visa fees and validity, policy on visa extension, steps and required documents for applications, and other related things can help keep everything smooth.
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