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Andi Refandi
Andi serves as a Senior Account Executive on Emerhub’s global team.
Bali overhauled its entry system in late 2025. Paper arrival cards have been replaced by a single digital platform that you complete before you fly. The tourist levy, once loosely enforced, is now a mandatory checkpoint at the airport. And whether you clear immigration in five minutes or two hours comes down to what you sort out before you board.
This guide explains the key Bali entry requirements for 2026, so you can arrive fully prepared. We’ll outline the digital pre-clearance process, the tourist levy, and the main visa options based on your intended stay.
Entry Requirements and General Rules
Every international traveler, regardless of nationality, must comply with a set of mandatory entry rules. To clear immigration without delays, you will need to manage three key areas: your physical travel documents, a digital pre-clearance registration, and the mandatory Bali tourism levy.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Bali. This is a hard rule. Airlines can deny you boarding if your passport does not meet this requirement, and immigration officers will refuse entry if it slips through to that point. You will also need:
- At least two blank pages for stamps.
- Proof of a return or onward ticket (Indonesian immigration often asks for this at the counter. You may also present a digital copy on your mobile device).
Digital Pre-Clearance Requirements
As of October 2025, Indonesia replaced its paper arrival cards with a single digital platform called All Indonesia. All international arrivals must submit the All Indonesia Arrival Card via the official portal or mobile app at least 72 hours (3 days) before arrival. Once submitted, you receive a unique QR code that covers the following declarations:
- Digital Arrival Registration: Replaces the traditional paper arrival card. It captures your personal identification, flight details, and intended address in Bali. Immigration scans the generated QR code to clear you upon arrival.
- Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD): Mandatory digital filing where you declare personal goods, currency exceeding IDR 100 million (~USD 6,000), and high-value electronics. Also covers IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registration for mobile devices, which is mandatory if you are staying longer than 90 days.
- Health Declaration (SATUSEHAT Health Pass / SSHP): Fully integrated into the All Indonesia portal. You will need to declare your recent travel history (last 21 days) and current health status to comply with regional biosecurity protocols.
Autogate Eligibility: In 2026, most international arrivals with biometric (chip) passports can use the automated gates. To bypass manual queues, you must have an approved e-VOA or pre-register your Visa Exemption on the official All Indonesia portal before you fly.
Bali Tourist Levy
A mandatory Bali Tourist Levy of IDR 150,000 (~USD 10) applies to all foreign visitors. While you can make payment at designated counters at the airport, we highly recommend settling this fee online through the Love Bali portal before your flight. This allows you to access the biometric autogates at the airport for faster immigration processing.
If you are unclear about your specific Bali entry requirements, Emerhub can help you navigate them. Reach out for a free consultation with our advisors today.
Visa Options for Short-Term Stays in Bali
The first step in planning your stay is choosing between a Visa and a KITAS. A visa is essentially your entry ticket for short-term visits. Think holidays, business meetings, or initial scouting trips. A KITAS, however, is a residency permit for those planning to settle in long-term.
The dividing line is usually 6 months. If you’re here for a holiday or a quick professional stint, a visa is often sufficient. But if you’re relocating or staying beyond the 180-day mark, a KITAS is the mandatory next step to secure your residency rights and avoid the constant cycle of visa extensions.
Visa-Free Entry (ASEAN Citizens)
Citizens from the ten other ASEAN member states currently enjoy visa-free entry into Indonesia. This includes travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and now Timor-Leste.
This Visa Exemption (BVK) allows for a stay of up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, family visits, or short business meetings. Under current regulations, this stay is strictly non-extendable. You cannot convert this status into any other stay permit while inside the country, and any form of local employment is prohibited.
APEC Business Travel Card
If you are a business traveler from an APEC economy, the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) offers the most efficient path for frequent business trips. The scheme includes 21 member economies, but there is a key distinction between full participants and transitional members:
- Full Participants (19 Economies): Nations like Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore participate in the “pre-clearance” system. Cardholders from these economies receive a card listing approved destinations on the back, which allows visa-free entry for up to 60 or 90 days.
- Transitional Members (USA & Canada): These nations do not participate in the pre-clearance scheme. This means cardholders from the US and Canada do not receive visa waivers for other APEC economies. Conversely, they will still need a valid visa to enter the US or Canada.
The universal benefit for all 21 economies, including transitional members, is access to the dedicated “APEC lane.” This allows you to skip standard immigration lines at all major Indonesian international airports, including Ngurah Rai in Bali, Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, and Juanda in Surabaya. To apply, you generally need to be a senior executive with a clean record and show a bank balance of roughly USD 32,000.
Short-Term Visas for Visitors and Professionals
You will need to secure a formal visa if you don’t qualify for visa-free entry, or if you’re planning a stay longer than 30 days. The visas below are standard options designed for different lengths and purpose of stay:
| Visa Type | Duration | Purpose | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-VoA (Visa on Arrival) | 30 Days + 30-day extension (60 days total) | Tourism, family visits, or casual business meetings (non-remunerated). | Paid fee (IDR 500k / ~USD 30); 6+ months passport validity; biometric chip for autogates. |
| B211A (Visit Visa) | 60 Days + 2 extensions of 60 days (180 days total) | Extended tourism, site visits, or professional training. | USD 2,000 bank balance; return ticket; 6+ months passport validity. |
| D1/D2 (Multiple-Entry Visa) | Valid for 1-2 years; 60 days per entry (Non-extendable) | Frequent tourism (D1) or repeated business negotiations and contract signing (D2). | Local sponsor; 18+ months passport validity; USD 2,000 bank balance. |
Emerhub advisors in Bali can map out all visa options that align with your intended plans and arrange for them on your behalf. Fill out the form below, and our team in Bali will reach out.
Long-Term Residency Permits in Bali: Who Needs One and How to Apply
If you are relocating to Bali to work, invest, retire, or study, a standard visa will not suffice. You will need to apply for a KITAS (long-term stay permit), which is a different process entirely from applying for a short-stay visa.
The process begins well before you book your flight. You need a local sponsor, government approval, and a specific VITAS (Entry Permit) upon arrival.
Work Permits Options
All foreign nationals working in Bali need authorization from the Ministry of Manpower and a stay permit tied to a local sponsor or their own company (PT PMA). Below are the three most widely used work permits available today:
| Permit Type | Duration | Purpose | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Worker (E33G) | 1 Year | Working remotely for a foreign company | Proof of USD 60,000+ annual income |
| Working KITAS (E23) | 6 – 12 Months | Local Employment | Sponsorship from an Indonesian employer |
| Investor KITAS | 1 – 2 Years | Managing your own PT PMA | Shareholder status; min. capital investment |
The approval process generally takes 8 to 12 weeks and moves through four stages:
- Your employer or sponsor first secures Foreign Worker Utilization Plan (RPTKA) approval from the Ministry of Manpower. This authorizes your role as a foreign staff member within the company.
- The Ministry then processes your individual Work Permit Notification.
- You are issued a VITAS, a digital e-Visa with a QR code that serves as your official entry permit.
- Finally, within 30 days of landing, you visit the local immigration office for biometric enrollment, which converts your entry permit into a physical KITAS card.
Critical Compliance Note: You must enter Indonesia on your VITAS, not a tourist visa. Entering on the wrong visa cancels your application and requires a restart from abroad. We recommend applying 60 days before your move to account for the processing period. Your passport must also have 18 months of validity remaining.
Other Long-Term Residency Options
If you are relocating to Bali for reasons outside of employment, the permits below cover extended stays tied to retirement, family, investment, or education.
| Permit Type | Purpose | Duration | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Visa (E33F) | Long-term residence for seniors aged 60+ | 1 – 5 Years | Pension proof; domestic helper |
| Golden Visa | Maximum long-term stability and priority entry | 5 – 10 Years | $350k – $700k in government bonds or bank deposits |
| Dependent KITAS | Relocating with family members | Linked to primary holder | Marriage/birth certificates; primary holder sponsorship |
| Student KITAS (E30A) | Enrollment in local educational institutions | 1 – 2 Years | Letter of Acceptance from a registered institution |
The same entry rule applies across all of these permits: you enter on your VITAS and convert to your KITAS within 30 days of arrival. Leaving this conversion step too late is one of the most common mistakes applicants make. We advise treating the 30-day window as a hard deadline from the moment you land.
Streamline Your Bali Entry with Emerhub
Navigating Indonesian immigration is straightforward when you know the steps, but one misstep can cost you weeks. Entering on the wrong visa, missing a filing deadline, or submitting an incomplete application can push your timeline back significantly. In some cases, it can force you to reapply from abroad and rebuild your whole stay arrangement from scratch.
Emerhub can act as your local sponsor and compliance partner if you plan to visit Bali. Our on-the-ground experts can manage both visa and KITAS applications. We can coordinate directly with immigration authorities and ensure a seamless entry process into Bali and the rest of Indonesia.
Reach out to our advisors to learn about the full scope of our support. Fill out the form below for a no-obligation discovery call today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entry Requirements and Visa Processes
The Remote Worker Visa (E33G) requires you to enter the country using a specific VITAS entry permit. If you enter on a Visa on Arrival (VoA), you must leave Indonesia and re-enter once your E33G VITAS is issued.
The E33G visa, also known as the Digital Nomad visa, is specifically designed for those with an employment contract from a single, incorporated foreign entity. If you are a freelancer with multiple clients or a self-employed individual without a formal corporate structure, you may not qualify.
However, Emerhub’s Employer of Record (EOR) service is a standard alternative. Under this arrangement, we become your local legal employer and sponsor a Working KITAS (E23). This not only solves the sponsorship hurdle but also grants you the legal right to invoice local Indonesian clients, which the E33G strictly prohibits.
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit unique identifier assigned to any device with cellular capabilities. If you intend to use an Indonesian SIM card for more than 90 days, your device must be registered with Customs. Otherwise, you risk being blocked from all local cellular signals (data, calls, and SMS).
You must register at the Customs desk (Bea Cukai) at your point of entry before clearing the customs area. This entitles you to a USD 500 tax-free allowance per person. If you register later at a city customs office, you forfeit this allowance and must pay the full import tax (approx. 40%) on the total market value of the device.
A Dependent KITAS allows your family to live with you but does not grant work authorization. If your spouse wishes to work locally, they must secure their own independent sponsorship and apply for a Working KITAS (E23).
For work-related permits, the Indonesian government enforces strict compliance rules for the sponsoring entity. They will handle the KITAS application on the employee’s behalf and meet the following requirements:
- Sponsorship Documents: Your sponsor must provide a formal Sponsorship Letter (Surat Jaminan), their Indonesian ID (KTP), and corporate documents, including the Business Identification Number (NIB/SIUP) and Tax ID (NPWP).
- RPTKA Approval: Obtain approval for a Foreign Worker Utilization Plan (RPTKA), which justifies the need for an expat over a local hire.
- DPKK Compensation Fund: Employers must pay a compensation fund of USD 100 per month (USD 1,200 per year) for each foreign worker. This fund is used to support the training of the local Indonesian workforce.
- Hiring Ratios: In many sectors, companies must maintain a 1:10 ratio (one expatriate for every ten local staff). While some executive positions (Directors/Commissioners) are exempt, this is a crucial consideration for scaling a team in Bali.
