Choosing Your Entry Strategy: VOA vs. C1 Tourist Visa
Your entire Bali visa strategy hinges on one question: How long do you plan to stay? Your answer will determine which visa you need to get before you even think about booking that flight.
1. For Short Stays (Up to 60 Days): The Visa on Arrival (VOA / e-VOA)
The Visa on Arrival is the standard tourist visa, perfect for a holiday or a short reconnaissance trip. It's the most common entry method for visitors from over 80 eligible nationalities.
Initial Validity: 30 days.
Extension: Can be extended once for an additional 30 days, for a total maximum stay of 60 days.
Cost: $35 USD (or 500,000 IDR). You can pay in IDR, EUR, AUD, or USD, but having cash on hand is recommended for the smoothest airport experience.
How to Apply:
Traditional VOA: Apply and pay upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali or other major entry points.
e-VOA (Recommended): The new, more efficient system introduced in late 2022. Apply online before you travel to save time and hassle at the airport. As of 2023, you can even pre-apply for your extension along with your initial e-VOA, removing the need for an immigration office visit later.
Important Note: If you enter on a VOA, you cannot convert it to a different type of visa while in Indonesia. After 60 days, you must leave the country.
2. For Longer Stays (Up to 180 Days): The C1 Tourist Visa
This is the visa you need if you're a digital nomad planning to make Bali your base for more than two months. The C1 Tourist Visa (formerly B211a) allows for a much longer stay and is the key to settling in without the stress of imminent visa runs.
Initial Validity: 60 days.
Extensions: Can be extended twice, with each extension granting an additional 60 days. This allows for a total possible stay of 180 days (6 months).
Entry Type: Single Entry. If you leave Indonesia for any reason, your C1 visa becomes void, and you'll need to apply for a new one to re-enter.
Cost: Varies depending on the agent you use, but typically falls between $270 and $300 USD.
How to Apply: You must apply for the C1 visa online and be approved before you arrive in Indonesia. Once approved, you have 90 days to enter the country.
Critical Warning: You cannot arrive on a Visa on Arrival and then decide to apply for a C1 visa. You must have the C1 approved before you fly to Indonesia.
Required Documents: Your Checklist for a Smooth Entry
Being prepared with the right documents is non-negotiable. Here’s what you'll need.
For Visa on Arrival (VOA / e-VOA):
Passport with at least 6 months of validity from your date of entry.
A confirmed return ticket or an onward ticket to your next destination.
Sufficient funds for your stay (proof is rarely requested but good to have).
$35 USD in cash or proof of e-VOA payment.
A completed immigration/arrival card (usually provided on the plane or at the airport).
For C1 Tourist Visa (Usually via an Agent):
Passport with at least 12 months of validity (if you plan to use all extensions).
Color scan of your passport's cover and main information page.
Recent passport-style photos.
Proof of an onward/return flight ticket (must show a departure date within 60 days of arrival. You can book a changeable/refundable ticket for this).
A bank statement showing proof of funds (typically $2000 USD, though not all agents require it).
The approved C1 Tourist Visa document sent by your agent.
The Agent vs. DIY Extension Dilemma
Once you're in Bali and want to extend your stay, you have two choices: hire a visa agent or handle the process yourself. For the C1 visa, extensions must be handled by an agent (ideally the same one who sponsored your initial application). For the VOA, you have a choice.
Using a Visa Agent (The Convenient Route)
Agents handle the paperwork and courier services, saving you from spending hours at the immigration office. You only need to show up once for photos and fingerprints.
Process: You submit your passport and forms to the agent, they process it, and you visit immigration for biometrics when notified. Your passport is then returned to you.
Cost (VOA Extension): $50 - $170 USD. Local recommendations from guesthouses can often lead to cheaper, reliable services.
Cost (C1 Extension): $200 - $230 USD per 60-day extension.
Recommendation: For C1 visas, using an agent is mandatory for extensions. For VOA extensions, it's a trade-off between cost and convenience. Always apply at least two weeks before your current visa expires.
DIY Extension (The Budget Route - VOA Only)
If you have time and want to save money, you can extend your VOA yourself. This requires three separate visits to an immigration office (located in Jimbaran, Denpasar, or Singaraja).
Visit 1 (Day 1): Arrive early. Submit your forms, passport, and copies.
Visit 2 (Day 3-5): Pay the fee (500,000 IDR), have your photo taken, and give fingerprints.
Visit 3 (Day 7-10): Collect your passport with the new extension stamp.
This process is cheaper but requires significant time and patience. For most busy entrepreneurs, the agent fee is a worthwhile investment.
