Bali (as part of Indonesia) uses a Visa on Arrival system for most Western nationalities — genuinely one of the more straightforward processes in this guide, with one cost detail worth knowing that’s easy to miss.
The short answer: Visa on Arrival, 30 days, extendable once
Citizens of roughly 84 eligible countries — including the US, UK, most of Europe, Canada, and Australia — can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) covering a 30-day stay. It can be extended once, for another 30 days, bringing a maximum stay to 60 days total. You can apply for the e-VOA online in advance or on arrival at the airport; doing it online beforehand generally means a faster process once you land.
What it actually costs
The Visa on Arrival costs IDR 500,000 (roughly $35), and extending it for a further 30 days costs another IDR 500,000. Separately — and this is the detail worth knowing before you budget — Bali charges its own one-time tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (about $10), distinct from the visa fee itself and collected specifically for visitors to Bali. Budget for both as separate line items rather than assuming the visa fee is the only cost of entry.
What to have ready
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- A return or onward ticket — this is checked, not a formality.
- The All Indonesia Arrival Card, completed online within 72 hours before arrival — you’ll receive a QR code to present on landing.
Extending your stay
The one-time 30-day extension is no longer a fully online process as of mid-2025 — you file the request digitally, then attend an immigration office in person once for a photo and fingerprints, with processing typically taking 3–5 working days. Start this process with real buffer time before your current visa expires, not at the last minute. Overstaying is charged at IDR 1 million (roughly $65) per day — a real, enforced penalty, not a nominal one.
Related reading
Once entry is sorted, the next planning questions are usually is Bali safe and when to go — or start from our full Bali Travel Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bali Visa on Arrival cost?
IDR 500,000 (about $35), plus a separate one-time Bali tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (about $10) — budget for both.
Can I stay in Bali longer than 30 days?
Yes — the Visa on Arrival can be extended once for another 30 days, for a maximum stay of 60 days total, via a process that now requires one in-person immigration office visit.
What happens if I overstay my Bali visa?
A penalty of IDR 1 million (roughly $65) per day, genuinely enforced — worth starting any extension well before your current visa expires.
Planning a trip further afield too? See Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Thailand? or Do You Need a Visa to Travel to Japan?.
Planning a trip to Bali? See the full Bali travel guide, or get the complete Bali Travel Guide for offline itineraries and insider tips.
Destinations Editor at Travelcho, covering food culture, city guides, and budget travel across Asia and Europe.
