Bali is calling you with its beautiful beaches, lush rice paddies, and ancient temples! But before you can fully experience the magic of this famous island, let’s make sure that your arrival goes without a hitch. This guide covers everything you need for a hassle-free entry to Bali in 2026. That way you can spend more time soaking up those Instagram-worthy moments instead of worrying about paperwork.
*Last Reviewed: February 2026.
Pre-Flight Prep: All You Need to Know Before Leaving for Bali
Get Travel Insurance
Indonesia is a beautiful and safe place to travel but as always with travel, things can happen. You need to come prepared and protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses (including hospitalization), adventure and sport activities, trip delays, and lost luggage. If you don’t already have an existing policy, we strongly recommend you find one for your holiday. Consider providers like World Nomads or Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, which are known for their comprehensive coverage.
Do Your Research
Make sure you do your research before you go to Bali by checking out our blog. All our posts are written by locals who know the island inside out. You’ll find loads of top tips for places to visit and things to do. Want to know the best beaches for surfing or where to find the yummiest nasi goreng? It’s all covered in our Bali guide!
Check Your Passport
Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Indonesia. Make sure it’s in pristine condition—no rips, tears, or missing pages! And make sure there are enough blank pages to be stamped when you arrive. Those immigration officials will be checking!
Secure a Visa Prior to Arrival
For most travellers, the easiest way to keep your arrival smooth is to sort your visa before you fly. The most common option for a short Bali holiday is the e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA). It’s designed for tourism stays and helps you avoid the “everyone just landed at once” queue at the airport.
Here’s what matters in plain English: the e-VOA costs IDR 500,000 per traveller (including children and infants), it’s single-entry, and it gives you up to 30 days in Indonesia from your arrival date. It’s a simple setup, but the details need to match your passport exactly — even small typos can cause problems at immigration.
Timing-wise, the official guidance is to apply shortly before your trip: you can apply up to 14 days before travel, and it’s smart to do it at least 48 hours before departure. That gives you a buffer if you need to re-check details, download documents, or deal with a slow connection right when you least want drama.
One last thing: stick to the official Indonesian e-Visa website (evisa.imigrasi.go.id). There are plenty of lookalike sites that charge extra fees for the exact same process — and Bali is expensive enough once you discover good cocktails.
Make Sure to Pay Your Tourist Tax
Bali’s Foreign Tourist Levy (often called the Bali tourist tax) is now a standard part of arriving on the island. It’s IDR 150,000 per person and applies to all international visitors, including children. The good news: it’s a one-time payment per trip, not a daily charge, so you won’t feel it stacking up as you move around the island.
You can pay cashless in a few ways: online before arrival (recommended), at airport or port payment counters, or through authorised channels in Bali (e.g., some hotels, travel agents, and attractions). After payment, you’ll receive a levy voucher with a QR code via email. Save it somewhere easy to access — it’s the kind of thing that takes five seconds when you’re prepared and fifteen minutes when you’re not.
Some travellers are exempt (for example, KITAS/KITAP holders and certain visa categories). If you fall into that group, it’s worth checking the official levy site ahead of time so you know what proof to bring if asked.
Arrival in Bali: How to Navigate the Airport with Ease
Make Sure You Have a Return Ticket
Before you fly, make sure you have a confirmed return or onward ticket. Immigration officers can ask to see it, and airlines sometimes check before boarding — so it’s not just a Bali arrival thing, it can be a “don’t miss your flight” thing too.
Keep it easy: save a digital copy on your phone and, if you can, carry a printed copy as backup. Airport Wi-Fi and phone batteries love picking the worst possible moment to give up.
Keep a Digital e-VOA
Keep a digital copy of your e-VOA readily accessible on your phone if you applied online. If you’re travelling with kids and other members of the family, make sure you have theirs too. You’ll need to show it to immigration officials. Screenshots are fine, but a saved PDF is even better for a clearer presentation.
Registration with Local Authorities
Indonesian law requires every visitor arriving in Indonesia to register with the local authorities. But don’t worry! The villa staff will take care of this formality for you. All you will need to provide is your passport and to fill in the registration form.
Complete the All Indonesia Arrival Declaration
Indonesia now uses a single official arrival system called All Indonesia. At Bali’s airport, it replaces the old “separate forms for health + customs” routine by combining immigration arrival details, health questions, customs declaration, and quarantine-related information into one submission. It’s free, it’s digital, and it’s meant to make arrivals faster — but only if you complete it before you land.
The simplest way to do it: fill it in within the three days before arrival, then save the QR code you receive after submission. You’ll show that QR code during the arrival process, so keep it somewhere you can access quickly (a screenshot, a saved PDF, or a pinned note on your phone).
Travelling as a family or group? This step also helps reduce repetition. One person can complete the process carefully over a stable connection, rather than everyone trying to do it at the same time while juggling passports, kids, and cabin luggage.
Use the official site: allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id.
Make Use of the E-Gates
If you’re eligible to use the e-gates at Ngurah Rai Airport, do it. They’re the closest thing to a travel shortcut you’ll get without wearing a lanyard that says “airport staff.”
This is also good news for families from the government: children aged 6 and above can now use autogates (previously 14+), as long as they meet the entry requirements. If your whole group qualifies, e-gates can save a surprising amount of time, which is ideal when everyone’s tired, and the only plan is “get to the villa and jump in the pool.”
Customs Declaration Hack
The “hack” is simple: don’t leave customs to the last minute.
Because customs is integrated into the All Indonesia arrival declaration at Bali airport, completing that form before you arrive means your customs information will be submitted, and your QR code will be ready. That usually translates to less queueing, less fumbling, and fewer “wait, where’s that link again?” moments after a long flight.
A couple of quick customs realities worth knowing: if you’re carrying cash (or similar payment instruments) worth IDR 100,000,000 or more (or equivalent), you must declare it. And if you bought a new phone or tablet overseas and plan to use an Indonesian SIM during your trip, you may be asked to register it through customs.
Prepare Mosquito Repellent
Bali is a tropical island so insects in your villa are inevitable. While most accommodations will have ways to deter them, it’s best that you pack your own bottle of insect repellent for extra protection.
FAQs: Entering Bali in 2026
Do I need a visa to enter Bali?
Many travellers do, and the most common option for a short holiday is the e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA). Some nationalities have different arrangements, so the safest move is to check your passport’s requirements on the official Indonesian immigration site before you fly. If you organise it ahead of time, you’ll usually skip a chunk of airport queueing.
How early should I apply for the e-VOA?
A good rule: don’t leave it for the day you fly. Apply a few days before departure so you have time to double-check details and download your documents. If anything needs fixing, you’ll be glad you didn’t do it at 11pm with airport Wi-Fi and a weak coffee.
Do children need their own e-VOA?
Yes. Each traveller needs their own visa, including kids and infants, if your nationality requires a visa.
What is the Bali tourist tax and do I need to pay it in advance?
Bali’s Foreign Tourist Levy is a per-person fee for international visitors. Paying before you arrive is the smoothest option because you’ll already have the QR/voucher ready if asked. You can also pay at official counters or authorised partners, but pre-paying avoids “one more line” after a long flight.
What is the All Indonesia arrival declaration, and when do I do it?
All Indonesia is Indonesia’s official arrival declaration system that combines the main arrival steps (including health and customs info) into one submission. Do it within the 3 days before arrival, then save the QR code on your phone (screenshot + saved file is ideal). Think of it as your fast-pass for the parts of the airport that can get… character-building.
Do I still need SATUSEHAT separately?
For Bali arrivals, the practical reality is that travellers should follow the All Indonesia process, since it’s the consolidated system used for arrival procedures. If you have any health-related documentation (like vaccination records) that applies to your trip, keep it handy as a backup — rarely needed, very helpful when it is.
Can families submit one customs declaration together?
Yes — customs allows one declaration per family, which is a small gift from the travel gods. Immigration requirements still apply per traveller, so keep everyone’s passports and entry docs accessible.
Can my child use the e-gates at the airport?
Often, yes. Children aged 6+ can use autogates if they meet the requirements (passport type/eligibility). If your child can’t use the e-gates, no stress — just head to the staffed counters.
Will I be asked for a return or onward ticket?
You can be asked — and sometimes the airline checks before you board. Keep a digital copy easy to access, and a printed copy if you want to play it extra safe (phones love dying at the least helpful moment).
How much cash can I bring into Bali?
You can bring cash in, but if you’re carrying IDR 100,000,000 or more (or equivalent), you must declare it. If you’re nowhere near that number, you can stop mentally counting your holiday budget like it’s a game show.
I bought a new phone overseas — will it work with an Indonesian SIM?
It can, but phones/tablets bought overseas may need customs/IMEI registration if you plan to use a local SIM for an extended stay. If you’re only visiting briefly and using roaming, it’s usually simpler. If you’re planning longer time in Bali, ask at the airport customs/telecom help points so you don’t end up with a very expensive pocket camera.
What should I screenshot or save offline before landing?
Save these so you’re not relying on airport Wi-Fi:
- Your e-VOA (PDF or screenshot)
- Your Bali tourist levy QR/voucher
- Your All Indonesia QR code
- Your return/onward ticket
- Your accommodation name + address
- A photo of your passport photo page (as a backup reference)
What are the most common reasons people get delayed at DPS airport?
It’s usually one of these:
- Missing QR codes (All Indonesia / tourist levy)
- Visa details that don’t match the passport exactly (names, passport number, dates)
- Documents buried in an email inbox you can’t load without internet
A little prep on your phone before landing saves a lot of standing still after landing.
Ready for Your Balinese Getaway?
Now that you’re armed with all the essential info to get into Bali smoothly and efficiently, all you have to do is get pumped and excited for your trip to the Island of the Gods! Enjoy the breathtaking rice paddies, the world-class surf, the vibrant culture, and the unforgettable experiences that await you. Selamat jalan! (Safe travels!)
