If you're planning to live in or spend serious time in Bali in 2026, the visa most people reach for is the C1 Visa (formerly the B211A): 60 days, extendable twice by 60 days each, for a 180-day maximum. Beyond that, you'll need a long-stay permit (investor KITAS, E33G remote worker, spouse, or retirement) or the Second Home Visa. In-person biometrics are now mandatory for every extension.
Which visa should you get for Bali in 2026?
It all comes down to one question: how long do you want to stay, and why?
- A few weeks to a month of pure holiday: the Visa on Arrival (VOA) does the job.
- Two to six months (testing out island life, working remotely for a bit, scoping out a project): the C1 Visa (formerly B211A) is the standard answer.
- Settling in for the long haul (living, working legally, investing, retiring): you'll need a KITAS (temporary stay permit) matched to your situation, or the Second Home Visa if you've got deep pockets.
This guide breaks down every option, with durations, ballpark costs, the steps involved, and the traps to sidestep. Indonesian immigration rules change fast, so treat the figures and timelines below as 2026 estimates, and always double-check with a reputable visa agent or the immigration office before you commit to anything.
The C1 Visa (formerly B211A) up close
Why two names?
The visa everyone still calls the "B211A" was officially renamed the "C1 Visa" by Indonesian immigration as part of a sweeping overhaul of the visa index system rolled out in 2024. In practice it's the exact same thing: a single-entry visit visa. Agents and forums use the two terms interchangeably, so don't be thrown when you see "B211A" and "C1" pointing at the same visa. As of 2026 the old B211A code has been formally retired, and C1 is the official classification.
Duration and extensions
- Initial validity: 60 days from the day you enter the country.
- Extensions: 2 × 60 days maximum, for a total of 180 days back to back.
This is a crucial detail that has changed: in the past, some visit visas allowed up to four extensions (360 days). That's no longer the case. With the C1, you get 60 days, then a first 60-day extension, then a second and final 60-day extension. After that, there's no third extension: you have to leave Indonesia and apply for a fresh visa.
What it covers (and what it doesn't)
The C1 covers tourism, visiting family or friends, and scoping out business opportunities (meetings, site visits) without actually working.
> Working locally on a C1 is not allowed. Remote work for a foreign employer sits in a grey zone that's tolerated in practice but legally murky: if your work is ongoing, the right status is the E33G remote worker KITAS, covered further down.
Mandatory biometrics
Since late May 2025, in-person biometrics have been mandatory for extensions on most visas, the C1 included (and the VOA too). In plain terms, for every extension you have to show up in person at the immigration office for:
- a photo,
- a digital signature,
- and your fingerprints.
The system runs in hybrid mode: you file the application online through the official Indonesian immigration portal, but the biometric check happens on site. In Bali, the relevant offices include Denpasar, Jimbaran (Ngurah Rai), and Singaraja. Plan to kick off the process two to three weeks before your visa expires so you can lock in the appointment in time.
Ballpark costs
Through a local visa agent (the easiest route):
- Initial C1 visa: roughly IDR 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 (~USD 130 to 165), sponsor and fees included.
- Each extension: roughly IDR 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 (~USD 95 to 130).
Prices vary by agent and turnaround speed. Handling the extension yourself at immigration is cheaper on paper, but it means several trips, a good grasp of the online portal, and a fair bit of patience.
Step-by-step process
1. Pick a sponsor: for a C1, the sponsor is usually an Indonesian visa agent. Read reviews before you pay anyone.
2. Gather your documents: passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages, a passport photo, a return or onward ticket, and proof of funds (a bank balance of around USD 2,000 over the past three months is often requested).
3. Online filing by the sponsor through the official immigration e-visa portal, before you arrive.
4. Receive the e-visa by email, usually within 5 to 10 working days.
5. Arrival at the airport: you show the e-visa, and everything is digital (no more classic paper stamp).
6. Extension(s): start two to three weeks before the deadline, with the mandatory biometric appointment.
Agent or DIY?
| Factor | Through an agent | On your own |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher (agent markup) | Official fees only |
| Time & effort | Minimal | Several trips |
| Risk of error | Low (they handle the portal) | Higher if you're new to it |
| Sponsor | Provided by the agent | You find one yourself |
For a first stay, an agent is almost always the best peace-of-mind-to-price ratio.
VOA and visa-free: the limits
The Visa on Arrival (VOA / e-VOA) is the fastest option for a short trip:
- Duration: 30 days, extendable once by 30 days (60 days max).
- Official cost around IDR 500,000 (~USD 35).
- Available at the airport or online (official e-VOA, via the immigration portal) before you leave.
The VOA is perfect for a holiday. It's not the right tool for settling in: 60 days is the ceiling, and since 2025 the extension requires the biometric step too. Fully visa-free entry exists for some nationalities but stays limited and non-extendable, so check it case by case depending on your passport. For any stay longer than a month or two, the C1 is the better fit.
The long-stay options (KITAS and Second Home Visa)
Past 180 consecutive days, the C1 no longer cuts it. Enter the temporary stay permits (KITAS) and the Second Home Visa.
Investor KITAS
For anyone looking to set up or invest in an Indonesian company (a PT PMA, the foreign-owned company structure). It's tied to a PT PMA with a required paid-up capital of around IDR 1 billion (~USD 60,000, depending on the exchange rate).
- Ballpark cost through an agent: USD 1,500 to 4,000 (company setup not included).
- Validity: typically 1 to 2 years, renewable.
- Upside: you can live here and run your business legally.
Remote worker KITAS (E33G)
Indonesia's "digital nomad" visa, built for employees and freelancers who work remotely for foreign employers or clients.
- Validity: 1 year.
- Income requirement: in the region of USD 60,000/year (agents often quote a threshold around USD 5,000/month), backed up by contracts, bank statements, and tax returns.
- Key restriction: you cannot earn income from an Indonesian company or client.
Spouse KITAS
For people married to an Indonesian citizen. It lets you live here legally and, under certain conditions, carry out some activities. You'll need a marriage certificate recognized in Indonesia plus your spouse sponsor's supporting documents.
Retirement KITAS
Aimed at retirees (depending on nationality, the minimum age sits around 55 to 60 in 2026). Commonly cited financial conditions:
- a deposit of around USD 50,000 in an Indonesian bank, or
- proof of income/pension of about USD 3,000/month.
It usually comes with extra obligations (health insurance, proof of accommodation).
Second Home Visa
Designed for high-net-worth individuals who want to settle here long-term without setting up a company:
- Duration: 5 to 10 years.
- Financial requirement: a deposit of around IDR 2 billion (~USD 130,000) locked in an Indonesian account (or property of equivalent value, depending on the current rules).
It's the "long-term peace of mind" option for those who can afford it. Worth noting: after five continuous years on a KITAS, you can generally aim for the KITAP (permanent stay permit).
Visa comparison table
| Visa | Duration | Extendable | Who it's for | Ballpark cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOA / e-VOA | 30 days | 1 × 30 days (60 days max) | Short trips, tourism | ~IDR 500K (~USD 35) |
| C1 (formerly B211A) | 60 days | 2 × 60 days (180 days max) | 2-6 month stays, occasional remote work | ~IDR 2-2.5M initial (~USD 130-165) |
| Investor KITAS | 1-2 years | Renewable | Setting up/investing in a PT PMA | ~USD 1,500-4,000 |
| Remote worker KITAS (E33G) | 1 year | Renewable | Employees/freelancers with foreign clients | Varies (income ~USD 60K/year) |
| Spouse KITAS | 1-2 years | Renewable | Married to an Indonesian citizen | Varies |
| Retirement KITAS | 1 year | Renewable | Retirees ~55-60+ | Deposit ~USD 50K or income ~USD 3K/month |
| Second Home Visa | 5-10 years | Per current rules | High-net-worth, long-term settling | Deposit ~IDR 2B (~USD 130,000) |
2026 figures are estimates; confirm with an official source.
Mistakes and traps to avoid
Overstaying: the costly slip-up
Going past your visa expiry date, even by a single day, triggers a daily fine of IDR 1,000,000/day (~USD 65). The essentials:
- No grace period: the fine starts on the very first day you overstay.
- The fine is paid in rupiah, at the airport or at immigration, before you can leave the country.
- An overstay of more than 60 days moves beyond the administrative bracket: it can lead to deportation and a re-entry ban of 6 months to 2 years.
Golden rule: note your expiry date and start your extension well in advance.
The "perpetual tourist" trap
Chaining C1 visas with a quick hop to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur every 180 days does work, but immigration is watching this pattern more and more closely. If your life is clearly based in Bali, the smart move is to switch to a proper KITAS rather than living on back-to-back visit visas.
The other classic traps
- Passport too close to expiry: you need at least 6 months of validity and blank pages (a requirement echoed by the UK government's Indonesia travel advice, which also flags entry refusals for damaged passports).
- Incomplete documents at extension time (proof of funds, onward ticket).
- Trusting an unreliable agent: check reviews and be wary of suspiciously low prices.
- Mixing up the VOA and the C1: the VOA caps out at 60 days, so don't use it to settle in.
Settling in once the visa is sorted
Your immigration status is only the first brick. Once your C1 or KITAS is in hand, you still have to find a place, kit it out, and tap into the good local deals. That's where Lokalfinds comes in: the classifieds platform for Bali's expat community to track down housing, a scooter, furniture, and trusted services from neighbor to neighbor.
Frequently asked questions
Are the B211A and the C1 Visa the same thing?
Yes. The visa known as the "B211A" was officially renamed the "C1 Visa" by Indonesian immigration in the 2024 overhaul. It's the same single-entry visit visa; only the classification code changed. Both terms are still used widely.
How long can I stay on a C1 Visa?
Up to 180 days back to back: 60 days to start, plus 2 extensions of 60 days maximum. After that, no further extension is possible; you have to leave the country and apply for a new visa, or switch to a KITAS.
Are biometrics really mandatory?
Yes, since late May 2025. For every extension, you have to show up in person at the immigration office for a photo, signature, and fingerprints. Build this into your timeline and start two to three weeks before the deadline.
What's the penalty for overstaying?
A fine of IDR 1,000,000 per day (~USD 65), with no grace period, payable before you leave the country. Overstaying by more than 60 days exposes you to deportation and a re-entry ban ranging from 6 months to 2 years.
Can you work on a C1 Visa?
No, not locally. Working for an Indonesian company requires a work KITAS. Remote work for a foreign employer is tolerated in practice but stays legally murky; for ongoing work, the remote worker KITAS (E33G) is the right status.
Which visa should you get to settle in Bali for good?
It depends on your profile: investor KITAS (setting up/investing in a PT PMA), E33G remote worker KITAS (foreign income), spouse KITAS (marriage), retirement KITAS (55-60+), or the Second Home Visa (~IDR 2B / ~USD 130,000 deposit) for 5 to 10 years.
Is it better to go through an agent or handle it yourself?
For a first stay, an agent offers the best peace-of-mind-to-price ratio: they provide the sponsor, handle the online portal, and cut down the risk of error. Doing it solo costs less in official fees but takes time and several trips.
Official sources
To verify the latest information before any application, go straight to the official sources:
- Directorate General of Indonesian Immigration (imigrasi.go.id) — the authority of reference for visas, extensions, and stay rules.
- Official e-visa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) — filing and tracking for e-visas and e-VOAs.
- UK Government — Indonesia travel advice, entry requirements — passport, entry, and registration rules for travelers.
- U.S. Department of State — Indonesia travel information and the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia — consular information for travelers and residents.
Indonesian immigration rules can change quickly. The durations, amounts, and procedures above are 2026 estimates: always verify the latest information with a reputable visa agent or directly with the immigration office before taking any action.
