Contents
TL;DR
- Indonesia uses one national immigration system, so eligible travelers do not need separate visas for Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.
- Eligible travelers can currently get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or e-VOA for IDR 500,000 (about $35 USD), valid for 30 days and extendable once. A higher VOA fee has been proposed, so check the official Immigration website before departure.
- You need a passport valid for at least six months and proof of onward or return travel. International arrivals should also complete the All Indonesia arrival declaration within three days before arrival.
- Bali has one additional charge: the IDR 150,000 Bali Tourism Levy. It is a provincial tourism charge, not part of the Indonesian visa fee.
Indonesia’s visa rules are national, so the entry requirements for a trip through Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands are largely the same. What changes between destinations are the arrival points, transport connections, and Bali’s additional tourism levy.
What Are the Indonesia Visa Requirements in 2026?
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration manages entry requirements at the national level. If you are eligible for a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, that visa covers your stay throughout Indonesia, including Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.
You do not need a separate visa when traveling between the islands during the same stay. Immigration requirements are handled when you enter Indonesia through a designated airport or port. Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno are reached by domestic boat after you have already cleared Indonesian immigration.
Local Insight: Immigration officers still make the final decision at the point of entry. Keep your passport in good condition, have your onward ticket available offline, and complete your arrival declaration before you travel.
Some nationalities can enter Indonesia visa-free, while others are eligible for VOA or e-VOA. Check the current official nationality list before applying.
What Documents Do You Need to Enter Indonesia
Regardless of whether you first arrive in Bali or Lombok, keep these documents ready:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival
- A confirmed return or onward ticket out of Indonesia
- A completed All Indonesia arrival declaration, submitted within the three days before arrival
- Your visa approval or VOA payment details, if your nationality requires a visa
- Accommodation details and other travel information in case they are requested during the arrival process
Travelers with damaged passports, including torn or missing pages, can face problems at immigration. Check your passport before departure and replace it if it is significantly damaged.
How Do You Get a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA for Indonesia
If your passport qualifies, you can arrange an e-VOA before your trip or sort your Visa on Arrival when you reach a designated Indonesian entry point.
How Much Does an Indonesia Visa on Arrival Cost
Indonesia currently lists the VOA fee at around IDR 500,000 (about $35 USD) for a 30-day stay. This is the standard fee for the Visa on Arrival, whether you arrange an e-VOA before your trip or apply for a VOA when you reach a designated Indonesian entry point.
The visa gives you 30 days in Indonesia, and you can extend it once for another 30 days. Payment options can vary by entry point, and visa fees may change, so check the official Indonesian Immigration website for the latest price and payment details before you travel.
Understanding the Indonesia visa requirements also means knowing which visa option applies to your passport.
How Does the Indonesia e-VOA Work
You can apply online through the official Indonesian eVisa system before your trip. You will need to provide your passport information, upload the required documents, and pay the applicable visa fee.
With an e-VOA, you can skip the visa-payment counter and proceed to immigration after arriving. This can save time at busy airports such as Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
Can You Get a Visa on Arrival at the Airport
If you haven’t arranged an e-VOA, eligible travelers can pick up a VOA when they arrive at a designated Indonesian airport or port. Payment methods vary by entry point, so check the latest instructions before departure.
Your VOA starts with 30 days, and you can extend it once for another 30 days. That gives you up to 60 days in Indonesia without leaving the country.
One thing to keep on your radar: VOA is single-entry. Once you leave Indonesia, that visa is done. If you return, you’ll need to meet the entry requirements and get the appropriate visa or entry permission again.
What Is the Bali Tourism Levy, and Do You Pay It in Lombok or the Gilis
Since February 2024, the Bali Provincial Government has collected an IDR 150,000 (about $10 USD) Tourism Levy from international visitors entering Bali. Pay it separately from your visa through the official Love Bali portal or designated payment points. The levy supports cultural preservation and environmental projects across the island, including waste management and the upkeep of temple sites.
The Bali Provincial Government charges the levy once per visit to Bali, not per island. If your itinerary starts in Bali and then continues to Lombok or the Gili Islands by ferry, you do not pay the levy again when you return to Bali later in the same trip, as long as you remain within Indonesian territory. If you land at Lombok International Airport and skip Bali entirely, the levy does not apply because it is a Bali provincial charge rather than a national fee.
If your itinerary includes Bali, pay the levy through the official Bali government system and keep your payment confirmation with your travel documents. Avoid third-party websites that add unnecessary service fees.
Traveler Tip: The Bali Tourism Levy is separate from your VOA or e-VOA. Budget for both if Bali is on your itinerary.
How Long Can You Stay in Indonesia
A standard VOA or e-VOA gives you 30 days in Indonesia from the date you arrive, with the option to extend it once for another 30 days. That gives you up to 60 days on a single entry.
Keep an eye on your permitted stay while you travel. Your deadline is based on your immigration permission and entry date, so check the expiry date before making plans to extend or leave.
Keep an eye on your permitted stay while you travel. Your deadline is based on your immigration permission and entry date, so check the expiry date before making plans to extend or leave.
How Do You Extend an Indonesia VOA
A VOA can be extended once for another 30 days.
The extension process can be started through the official Indonesian eVisa system, but travelers still need to attend the relevant immigration office for the required photo and biometric verification.
Apply before your original 30-day permission expires. Do not wait until the final day if you can avoid it, as processing requirements and appointment availability can vary.
Whether you are staying in Kuta Lombok or Gili Trawangan, the immigration rules are national. The difference is simply which immigration office is most convenient for your extension.
What Happens If You Overstay in Indonesia
Indonesia can impose an overstay fine of IDR 1,000,000 (about $60 USD) per day.
Longer overstays can carry more serious immigration consequences. Overstays of 60 days or more can lead to deportation and an entry ban, while other sanctions may apply depending on the circumstances.
Keep track of your permitted stay from the date you enter Indonesia rather than assuming your visa expires 30 days after the date you applied.
Where to Stay Once Your Indonesia Visa Requirements Are Sorted
Once the paperwork is sorted, the next choice is where to base yourself. Indonesia has a different rhythm from island to island, whether you’re after surf, beach days, diving, or a more social base for exploring.
Mad Monkey has bases in several parts of Indonesia, including Uluwatu, Nusa Lembongan, Kuta Lombok, and Gili Trawangan. That gives travelers a few different starting points depending on the route they’re building, from the surf breaks of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula to the quieter island pace of Nusa Lembongan and the beaches of Lombok and the Gilis.
For solo travelers, staying somewhere with a naturally social setup can also make it easier to meet new people along the way, whether that’s over dinner, during an activity, or while exploring.
Your Indonesian immigration permission remains valid as you move between destinations. Once you’re through immigration, the rest of the trip comes down to choosing which part of Indonesia fits your pace.
What to Remember Before You Book Your Indonesia Trip
Once you sort your entry requirements, the fun part is deciding how you want to move through Indonesia. Bali brings surf, food, and nightlife. Nusa Lembongan offers quieter beaches and boat trips. Lombok gives you more room to explore, while the Gilis invite slow mornings, swimming, and plenty of time by the water.
Just don’t underestimate the distances between islands. Check ferry schedules before booking your next stay, leave some room for weather delays, and avoid squeezing too many stops into one trip.
Before you leave, double-check your Indonesia visa requirements, passport validity, onward ticket, and All Indonesia arrival declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Indonesia uses a national immigration system, so an eligible VOA or e-VOA covers your stay throughout Indonesia. You do not need separate visas for Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands during the same stay.
No. The Bali Tourism Levy is a Bali-specific provincial charge. If you never enter Bali, you do not pay it.
The current listed VOA and e-VOA fee is IDR 500,000 (about $35 USD) for a 30-day stay. Indonesian Immigration has proposed a higher fee for 2026, so check the official website for the latest price before traveling.
Yes, but you need to process the extension through Indonesian immigration rather than on the island itself. You can start the process online, then visit an immigration office for the required photo and biometric verification.
The Gili Islands do not have an international immigration checkpoint. Travelers normally clear Indonesian immigration at an airport or designated port in Bali or Lombok before continuing by domestic boat to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, or Gili Meno.
Fast boats and other ferry services connect Bali with Lombok and the Gili Islands. Common departure points include Serangan, Sanur, Padang Bai, and other designated ports, depending on the route and operator. From Lombok, travelers commonly use ports around Teluk Nare, Teluk Kodek, and Bangsal to reach the Gilis.
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