Bali has long been and remains one of Southeast Asia’s most sought-after destinations for its gorgeous beaches, architecture, and culture. Visiting Bali — or Indonesia in general — is straightforward but still requires paying attention to specific visa requirements and the fees associated with each category. This article outlines the different Bali visa types for 2025, how they work, and for whom they’re required.
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
The most popular visa option for short-term visitors and travelers to Bali is the Visa on Arrival (VOA). Whether you’re entering Bali for travel and tourism, visiting family, or even transiting through the island on your way to another destination, you need the VOA. It’s eligible for citizens of more than 80 countries, including the ones that fall under the Indonesian Visa Exemption Agreement. Here are the aspects of Bali Visa on Arrival explained in detail:
- Validity & Extension: The VOA visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended to a maximum of 60 total days. The 30-day extension can be done once you’re in Bali at the local immigration office. However, the visa holder must leave the country after 60 days and re-apply if they want to return. More extension info here.
- Application Process: Travelers can apply for the VOA and pay the fees when they arrive at the airport in Bali. However, it’s better to use the e-VOA process to not stand in long queues at the airport and save time when you arrive in the country. It allows visitors to apply for the VOA online, make the payment, and receive their e-VOA before their trip even begins, making entry much easier.
- Application Requirements: Travelers require a passport with a validity of at least six months from their date of arrival in Indonesia, a passport size photograph, a valid e-mail address, a valid Visa, MasterCard, or JCB credit card, accommodation information in Bali (hotels, Airbnb, etc.), and return flight tickets.
- Fees: The VOA costs IDR 500,000 (around USD 30 as of December 2025). You can pay either when you arrive at the airport in Bali or through the official online portal while applying for the e-VOA.
- Important Limitations: The VOA is a single-entry visa. So, if you exit the country before the visa expires, you will need to apply again to re-enter.
- Ideal for: Short-term business visitors traveling for conferences or exhibitions, tourists and travelers going to Bali for leisure.
B211A (Business/Social Visit) Visa
The B211A Indonesian Visit Visa, also called the C-Type Visa, is ideal for foreigners who intend to stay in the country for more than 60 days. That’s because this visa can be extended even more, up to 180 days. So, if you’re staying for a longer time in Bali for the purpose of leisure and tourism, or if you’re visiting family, working remotely, volunteering, etc., then this B211A Visa for Indonesia is ideal for you. Please note that all C-Type Visas are Single-Entry visas only.
- Validity & Extension: The visa has an initial validity period of 60 days, which can be extended to 180 days (usually via three 60-day extensions).
- Application Process: Travelers applying for this visa should apply for this visa before they enter Indonesia, usually via an authorized sponsor or an official agent.
- Application Requirements: To apply for the B211A Visa, travelers require a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months, a recent color photograph, documents showing that they have sufficient funds for their living costs amounting to at least USD 2,000. Additionally, they might also need proof of onward travel and details of accommodation, if asked for.
- Cost: The base fee for a 60-day B211A Visa is IDR 1,500,000-2,000,000. The total fees depend on the agent, sponsor, and the number of extensions a traveler applies for.
- Important Limitations: B211A is a single-entry visa. So, if you exit Bali (basically, Indonesia) before the visa expires, you will need to apply again to re-enter.
- Key Benefits: This visa is ideal for tourists and business travelers who want to stay for longer than 60 days, but not to make any investments or work in Indonesia in any capacity.
- Ideal for: Long-stay tourists and travelers, digital nomads, family visits, and non-profit missions.
KITAS (Limited Stay Permit)
KITAS is an acronym for Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, which means “Temporary Stay Permit Card.” This visa is Indonesia’s long-term temporary stay permit via which foreign nationals can legally stay in Indonesia for a specified period, usually ranging anywhere from two to five years. The KITAS Indonesia Visa is ideal for foreign nationals who want to live, invest, work, join their family, retire, or even indulge in remote work in Bali.
- Types: There are many kinds of KITAS, including Work-related KITAS (for employment), Investor KITAS (for founding and running businesses), Spouse/Family KITAS (Children, spouses, and dependent relatives of KITAS holders or Indonesian citizens), Retirement KITAS (for foreigners of a specific age with enough financial resources), and Remote Worker KITAS (E33G). Additionally, one might also be granted KITAS for specific purposes such as conducting research and studying.
- Validity: The validity of the KITAS ranges from six months up to several years depending on the type of permit and the sponsor. Investor, Work, Retirement, and Digital Nomad KITAS visas are valid up to one to two years.
- Sponsor Requirement: Every KITAS visa application requires a sponsorship from a spouse who is an Indonesian citizen, a company registered in Indonesia, or a retirement or remote work agency.
- Application Requirements: Besides a valid passport with at least 6 months and latest color photos, this visa also requires applicants to show proof of living expenses of USD 2,000 at the minimum, paperwork from the local Indonesian company, Indonesian immigration, and even pre-approval processes from overseas sometime.
- Cost: The base fee for 1–2-year KITAS visas is IDR 7,000,000 (Up to 1 Year) and 9,500,000 (Up to 2 Years). The total fees for the other kinds of KITAS visas depends on the individual application and the type of visa.
- Rights & Restrictions: Some KITAS visas allow legal employment while others, such as family, remote work, and retirement, don’t. Also, KITAS holders must register locally and renew their visas on time.
- Ideal for: Foreign nationals who want to relocate to Indonesia for working, investing, staying with their families, running a business, retiring, or staying in the country for longer than 60 days.
KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit)
The KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap) which translates to “Permanent Stay Permit,” is the highest goal for foreign nationals who wish to reside in the country. It is the permanent residency permit in Indonesia and is available for foreign nationals who have held a KITAS visa for a number of consecutive years to apply.
- Eligibility: Usually, it requires applicants to have held a KITAS visa for at least three to four years consecutively. The exception to this is spouses of Indonesian citizens, who might be eligible to qualify earlier.
- Validity & Extension: The KITAP permanent residency, Indonesia, is valid for a period of five years. So, it doesn’t need to be renewed annually and can be renewed indefinitely once five years have passed. Additionally, it offers nearly all rights of residency, except certain specifically restricted professions and voting rights.
- Cost: The cost of an Indonesian KITAP is different for different types of and eligibilities for KITAP visas (Investor KITAP, Family KITAP, Retirement KITAP, etc.). However, it usually ranges from IDR 35 million to more than IDR 50 million (approximately USD 2,200-3,200) for a 5-year permit. Lifetime options cost more, as they cover fees for agent services, permits, and re-entry permits.
- Ideal for: Long-term residents such as family members and spouses of Indonesian nationals who want to stay in Bali without visa renewals, expats, and retirees. It’s also ideal for kids of mixed-nationality marriages.
What’s Next?
Knowing the various Bali visa definitions and which category you belong to beforehand will go a long way in making your visa application process a lot simpler. Furthermore, having all the documents on you before you enter the country will also help you avoid long queues at the airports in Indonesia when you arrive, marking an excellent start to your holiday in the lovely Southeast Asian country.
Sounds like a chore? Let us handle all the paperwork for you. Contact us to find out which type of visa is suitable for your needs and budget!
