Bali Travel: On-Arrival Visa or E-Visa?
Bali is Indonesia’s most famous tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world every year. For foreign travelers from non-ASEAN countries, entering Bali requires either applying for an on-arrival visa or obtaining an e-visa in advance. So, which option is better?
Choosing Between On-Arrival Visa and E-Visa. Image Source: Tensor Arts AI Art
On-Arrival Visa
The on-arrival visa is issued to travelers upon arrival at Bali’s international airport. The application fee is IDR 500,000 (approximately USD$32), valid for 30 days and extendable once, allowing a maximum stay of 60 days.
The advantage of the on-arrival visa is its simple application process. Upon arrival at Bali’s international airport, travelers only need to present a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket or onward flight ticket, and pay IDR 500,000 in cash (specific currencies accepted, see here) or by credit card (accepted card types see here).
However, the downside of the on-arrival visa is the unpredictable processing time. It could be quick, or you might end up waiting in line for hours. Some travelers have mentioned that ‘applying for an e-visa is too troublesome, while queuing for an on-arrival visa at immigration only takes about ten minutes.’ However, this is purely a matter of luck! Others have spent over an hour waiting in line for their on-arrival visa. Those who get it quickly are truly fortunate!
If your flight arrives at the same time as flights from Europe or America, where most passengers haven’t applied for e-visas, the counters for manual payment and visa issuance will be packed. After queuing for the on-arrival visa, you’ll still need to queue again for passport stamping at immigration. Whether you want to waste precious vacation time like this is up to you to decide!
You can never predict when there will be long queues! Image source: Tensor Arts AI Art
E-Visa
The e-visa is a visa that travelers can apply for online through the official website of the Indonesian Immigration Directorate before departure. The application fee for the e-visa is also IDR 500,000 (approximately USD$16), valid for 30 days, and can be extended once, allowing a maximum stay of 60 days. However, additional handling fees apply for credit card payments. See here for more details.
The advantage of the e-visa is its straightforward application process, which can be completed within 14 days before departure by following these steps:
- Fill out the form on the website (<— This is the only official website! Beware of fake sites online.)
- A passport valid for more than six months
- Upload the passport (photo page) and a photo (a clear photo taken with a phone is acceptable)
- Prepare a payment credit card (online payments require Visa, Mastercard, or JCB credit cards. Up to five people can apply simultaneously using one credit card. Amex cards are not accepted. The total amount after fees is IDR 519,500).
The processing time for the e-visa is short, usually taking only a few minutes to complete. The benefit of obtaining the e-visa in advance is that you won’t need to queue for a visa on arrival after landing. Starting in 2024, you can also use the fully automated e-gates without any queues (see Bali’s Facial Recognition Automated Immigration System Launched in 2024: E-Visa Holders Can Expedite Entry).
Please refer to our chart explanation:
Enjoy the wonderful moments of your vacation! Image source: Tensor Arts AI Art
Both visa on arrival and e-visa have their pros and cons, and travelers can choose the most suitable option based on their needs and preferences. If you prefer not to apply for a visa in advance or don’t want to spend too much time researching online visa applications, you can opt for a visa on arrival. If you want to save time queuing for visa processing after landing, you can choose the e-visa. If you’d like to refer to others’ experiences, you can also check here: Entry to Indonesia/Bali: Visa on Arrival vs. E-Visa - Practical Advice for Choosing.
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