If you are visiting Bali, or any island in the Indonesian archipelago, chances are you have already looked into visa requirements. In an effort to provide simple, concise information, this article will simply look at the most common visa options for what they offer and will provide some recommendations as to which option is best for your visit.
Visa on Arrival (VOA):
Purpose: Short visits for tourism, social activities, or business.
Duration: Initially valid for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days.
Eligibility: Available for citizens of eligible countries.
The VOA is by far the most common option. Upon arrival, visitors are able to pay for the VOA before going through Airport Immigration. If you wish to extend your VOA, you will need to visit the nearest immigration office to start the extension process. Be aware that this process is 3 separate days and can range from 5-9 days in total. That being said, you must only start the process before your current VOA expires.
The Indonesian government has also recently opened an electronic version of the VOA. You can find the information and application on the Directorate General of Immigration Website. Note that for the extension, you will not have to physically go to an immigration office to extend your VOA. You can find an "Extend" button on the same Immigration website you used to apply.
Single Entry Tourist Visa (B-211A Visa):
Purpose: For tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends and family.
Duration: Valid for 60 days and extendable for a total 180 days
Eligibility: Generally available for tourists from visa-exempt countries.
The B-211A visa is common among travelers who plan to stay in Bali for a longer period of time. Digital nomads who are moving in and then moving out of the country tend to use this visa option. Please note that it is a single entry visa, meaning that when you leave the country, you will have to apply for a new visa even if your old visa still has days left until expiration.
Single Entry Business Visa (B-211B Visa):
Purpose: Business meetings, negotiations, and investment activities.
Duration: Valid for 60 days and extendable for a total 180 days
Eligibility: Business travelers sponsored by an Indonesian company.
Mostly identical to the B-211A visa, save the ability to conduct business as a sponsor under an Indonesian company. This visa allows visitors to produce individual income derived from Indonesian services provided.
Multiple Entry Visa (D-212 Visa):
Purpose: For Tourism, Sightseeing, and friends and family.
Duration: Valid for 60 day periods for a full year, extendable to 5 years
Eligibility: Available for citizens of eligible countries.
The multiple entry visa is a less commonly used option for a few reasons. Firstly, visitors who come to Bali that wish to stay for an extended period of time would have to leave the country every 60 days. Secondly, Someone who wishes to live in Bali for a longer period of time will usually acquire the following long-term visas.
Retirement Visa (Visa Tinggal Retired - ITAS Retired): Purpose: For retirees aged 55 and above to live in Indonesia.
Duration: Initially valid for one year, extendable up to five years.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet age, accommodation, and financial requirements.
A note on financial requirements. Currently, the Indonesian government requires ITAS Retired Visa holders to have $18,000 USD in annual income and to pay more than $500 USD for monthly rent. Alternatively, you may purchase a property no less than $35,000 USD to satisfy your accommodation requirement.
Work Visa (Visa Izin Kunjungan Sementara - KITAS): Purpose: For employment or working in Indonesia.
Duration: Typically issued for the duration of the employment contract.
Eligibility: Employment sponsorship from an Indonesian company.
If you are looking in the the Work KITAS, we highly recommend you employ a Visa Agency to assist with the process. While the paperwork is not terribly complicated, there are other aspects of the application such as filing timeframes that agencies can save you time on.
Conclusion
While this article simplifies a majority of the Visa options for Indonesia, we understand that for the most part, our guests will simply choose the eVOA option. This is the most stress free way of guaranteeing a quality stay here in Bali, and if you choose to see other parts of Indonesia, your visa validity travels with you.