Bali Visa for Indians - Visa on Arrival, e-VOA, Tourist Levy and What to Carry
Good news first: getting into Bali is easy for Indian travellers. You don't need to visit an embassy or submit a long application weeks in advance. Indian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Bali's airport, or apply online for an electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) before flying.
That said, there are a few steps, fees and documents you need to get right - including a separate Bali tourist levy that many travellers don't know about. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide.
A quick note: visa rules and fees can change. Always confirm the latest requirements on Indonesia's official immigration website before you travel.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Bali?
Yes. Bali is part of Indonesia, and Indian citizens need a visa to enter. But Indians are eligible for Indonesia's visa on arrival for tourism, which makes the process simple.
The visa on arrival (VOA) for tourism:
- Allows a stay of up to 30 days.
- Can be extended once, for another 30 days, from within Indonesia.
- Is for tourism, family visits and similar short-stay purposes - not for work.
You have two ways to get it: at the airport on arrival (VOA), or online before you travel (e-VOA).
Visa on Arrival vs e-VOA
Visa on Arrival (at the airport):
- You pay at the VOA counter after landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), before immigration.
- No advance application needed.
- The downside is queues. When several international flights land together, the VOA payment and immigration lines can take a while - sometimes an hour or more in peak season.
e-VOA (online, before you travel):
- Apply and pay on Indonesia's official e-visa website before your trip. Applications are generally processed quickly, but apply at least a few days before you fly.
- You receive the e-VOA by email. Print a copy and keep a digital copy on your phone.
- On arrival, you skip the VOA payment counter and go straight to immigration. Holders of e-VOAs can often use the automated gates, which can save significant time.
Our recommendation: get the e-VOA. It costs the same and can save a long wait after a seven- or eight-hour flight - especially valuable with children or elderly parents.
Important: only use the official Indonesian government e-visa website. Many lookalike sites charge extra fees for the same visa.
Costs - Visa Fee and Bali Tourist Levy
There are two separate charges.
1. The visa fee: IDR 500,000 per person, roughly ₹2,700 depending on the exchange rate. The same fee applies to the VOA and the e-VOA. It's payable by card online for the e-VOA, or by card or cash (rupiah, and often major currencies) at the airport counter.
2. The Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per person, roughly ₹800. This is a separate, one-time levy charged by the Bali provincial government on foreign tourists entering Bali. It's not part of the visa. You can pay it in advance online through the official Love Bali website or app, and you'll receive a voucher or QR code to show if asked. You can also pay on arrival at designated counters, but paying in advance saves time.
Total per person: around IDR 650,000, or roughly ₹3,500. For a couple, about ₹7,000; for a family of four, about ₹14,000. Children are generally charged the same as adults, but check the latest rules.
Documents to Carry
- Passport, valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with blank pages for stamps.
- e-VOA printout, if you applied online.
- Return or onward flight ticket. Immigration may ask to see proof that you'll leave Indonesia within your visa's validity.
- Hotel bookings for your stay, printed or on your phone.
- Bali tourist levy voucher or QR code, if paid in advance.
- Proof of funds: rarely checked, but carry a credit card or some cash.
- Travel insurance: not mandatory for the VOA, but strongly recommended.
Also check the latest arrival requirements before you fly. Indonesia has introduced a digital arrival declaration covering customs (and, at times, health) that travellers fill in online shortly before arrival. Complete it as instructed so you have the QR code ready on landing.
Common mistakes that cause problems at the counter:
- Passport validity under six months. This is the most common reason travellers are refused boarding in India, before they even reach Bali. Check the expiry date the moment you start planning.
- A damaged passport. Torn pages, water damage or a loose cover can lead to refusal. Renew it if in doubt.
- Name mismatches. The name on your e-VOA, flight ticket and passport should match exactly, including middle names and spelling.
- A one-way ticket. Without a return or onward ticket, airlines in India may refuse to board you, and Indonesian immigration may question you.
- Using an unofficial visa site. You may pay double - or end up without a valid visa.
For children travelling with one parent, carry a consent letter from the other parent and a copy of the birth certificate. It's rarely asked for, but useful to have.
What Happens When You Land
1. Walk to the arrivals hall. Follow the signs for "Visa on Arrival" or "Immigration".
2. If you don't have an e-VOA, go to the VOA payment counter. Pay the fee and receive your visa receipt.
3. Proceed to immigration. Present your passport, visa or e-VOA, and return ticket. The officer may ask about your stay - be ready with your hotel details. Your passport is stamped, or your entry is recorded electronically.
4. Collect your baggage, then pass through customs, showing your arrival declaration QR code.
5. Show your tourist levy voucher if requested, or pay at the levy counter if you haven't already.
6. Exit to arrivals, where hotel transfers, drivers and taxi counters wait.
Tip: carry some rupiah for your first few hours, or withdraw from an airport ATM. Avoid unofficial money changers at the airport, and use the official taxi counters or pre-booked transfers.
Extending Your Stay
If you want to stay longer than 30 days, the VOA can be extended once, for another 30 days. You can apply online or through an immigration office in Bali before your first 30 days expire. Many travellers use a visa agent for convenience.
If you're combining Bali with other parts of Indonesia - Lombok, the Gili Islands, Komodo or Java - the same visa covers your whole stay in the country, so you don't need a separate visa for each island. Your 30 days count from the day you enter Indonesia, not the day you arrive in Bali. The tourist levy, however, applies only to Bali.
Overstaying carries fines per day and can lead to more serious consequences, so plan your dates carefully. For most Indian holidaymakers on a one- or two-week trip, an extension won't be needed.
Flights From India and Other Entry Tips
Direct flights: direct flights to Bali (Denpasar) operate from Delhi, with Air India and IndiGo, and from Bengaluru, with IndiGo. Flight time is roughly 7–8 hours from Delhi and around 7 hours from Bengaluru. Schedules change, so check current routes.
Connecting flights: from Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and other cities, you'll usually connect via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. Total journey times vary from about 9 hours to well over 12, depending on the layover.
Other tips:
- Time difference: Bali is 2.5 hours ahead of India.
- Currency: carry some rupiah, and inform your bank before travelling. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; smaller warungs and markets prefer cash.
- Duty-free limits: Indonesia has limits on alcohol and tobacco you can bring in. Check before you pack.
- Medication: carry prescriptions for any medicines you bring.
- Respect local rules: Bali has introduced guidelines for tourists on respectful behaviour at temples and sacred sites, dress codes and environmental care. Following them is part of being a good guest.
Once your visa is sorted, the fun part begins: choosing where to stay.
On Onto, the price you see is the price you pay, with no coupons or card conditions. After you book, Onto keeps tracking the price two to three times a day. If it drops before your booking's non-cancellable window, Onto automatically rebooks you at the lower rate and refunds the difference. Smart Travellers sort the visa, book early, and let Onto watch the price.