Quick facts
Visa needed?
Yes
e-VOA — not visa-free for UK
Visa cost
~£25
IDR 500,000, paid online or on arrival
Max stay
30 days
Extendable once, +30 days = 60 max
Bali Tourist Tax
~£7
IDR 150,000 — separate from the visa
Passport validity
6 months
Plus 2 blank pages
Entry type
Single entry
Leaving Indonesia ends the visa
Your pre-departure checklist
Essential — Before booking
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British passport valid 6+ months with 2+ blank pages
Both conditions are checked at the border. A full passport with validity but no blank pages can still mean denied entry.
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Apply for your e-VOA online before you fly
Apply at the official molina.imigrasi.go.id portal up to 48 hours before travel. You can also buy the VOA at a counter on arrival, but pre-applying online avoids the queue entirely.
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Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
Required to even apply for the e-VOA, not just a nice-to-have. An open or one-way ticket can mean your application is rejected before you even travel.
Before you fly
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Complete the All-Indonesia Arrival Card within 3 days of landing
A separate digital form covering customs and health declarations — completed online, generates a QR code. Not the same as the visa application.
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If flying into Bali, budget for the Bali Tourist Tax separately
A one-off ~£7 (IDR 150,000) local levy, specific to Bali — unrelated to the national e-VOA. Paid online or at dedicated counters on arrival at Denpasar airport.
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Travel insurance
Not a formal entry requirement, but genuinely important — Bali's private hospitals and medical evacuation costs for serious injuries or illness can be very high for uninsured visitors.
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Money that works in rupiah
UK cards typically add ~3% forex fees. A multi-currency card helps, though Bali is still fairly cash-reliant outside tourist hubs — plan to carry some.
On arrival
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Show your e-VOA approval and Arrival Card QR code at immigration
Have both saved offline (screenshot, not just email) — airport WiFi can be unreliable right when you need it most.
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Need more than 30 days? Extend before it expires
One extension of 30 days is possible through an immigration office or agent — must be arranged before your current stay ends, taking the total to a 60-day maximum.
How to apply for your e-VOA — step by step
01
Go to the official Indonesian immigration portal
Only use molina.imigrasi.go.id — third-party sites often charge well above the official IDR 500,000 fee for the same service.
02
Upload your passport photo page and a passport-style photo
Plus your flight details and proof of onward/return travel. The form takes most applicants well under 15 minutes.
03
Pay the fee online
Around £25 (IDR 500,000), payable by card. Apply up to 48 hours before departure — leaving it to the last minute risks a processing delay.
04
Receive your e-VOA approval and complete the Arrival Card separately
The visa and the Arrival Card are two different systems — completing one doesn't automatically complete the other. Do both before you fly.
Mistakes that catch Brits out
Assuming the UK gets visa-free entry like some other nationalities. Indonesia offers true visa-free access to a small list of ASEAN and nearby countries — the UK isn't on it. Every UK tourist needs the paid e-VOA, no exceptions.
Confusing the e-VOA with the Bali Tourist Tax. They're entirely separate systems with separate payments. Paying one does not cover the other — Bali-bound travellers need both.
Applying for the e-VOA without a confirmed return ticket. An open-ended "I'll book my flight home later" plan can get your visa application rejected outright — book the return leg first, even if dates shift later.
Forgetting the Arrival Card is a separate step. Many travellers complete the e-VOA and assume they're done — the Arrival Card customs/health declaration is a different form entirely, and skipping it causes delays at the border.
Not checking medication rules. Indonesia has strict controls on certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. Check the Indonesian embassy's guidance for anything beyond basic painkillers before you pack.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance for Bali and Indonesia
Not a visa requirement, but private hospital and medical evacuation costs can be substantial — genuinely worth having before you need it.
Compare travel insurance →
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Spend in rupiah without the mark-up
A multi-currency card converts GBP to IDR at the real rate — standard UK cards quietly add ~3% to every transaction.
Get a Wise card →
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Bali data from the moment you land
Skip the airport SIM counters — an eSIM installed before you fly activates automatically on arrival in Denpasar.
Browse Indonesia eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia — Official e-VOA portal
- → GOV.UK — Indonesia travel advice for British citizens
- → Bali Provincial Government — Bali Tourist Tax information
✓ Last verified: 1 October 2026 · Requirements change — always confirm with official sources before travel