Bali Entry Rules for UK and US Passport Holders
Updated: Sep 12
British and American travellers do need a visa for Bali, arranged either online in advance or on arrival, since neither passport is on Indonesia's visa exemption list. The Visitor Visa costs IDR 500,000, allows a 30 day stay, and works the same way for both nationalities. We set out what UK and US travellers need to apply, what it costs, and what to check before flying.
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Why UK and US Travellers See Conflicting Advice
Some sites still describe Bali as visa free for British and American travellers, usually confusing it with the short list of countries that genuinely are exempt. Others quote outdated fees from before the current Visitor Visa system. Neither passport currently qualifies for visa free entry, and the rules that do apply are the same regardless of which of the two you hold.
Check These Before You Apply
Confirm your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date in Indonesia.
Apply for the Visitor Visa online in advance, or budget extra time to pay for it on arrival.
Check your card works for international payments, since the visa portal accepts only Mastercard, Visa or JCB credit cards.
Budget IDR 500,000 for the visa and a separate IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy.
Apply for one visa per traveller, including children and infants listed on a parent's passport.
The Visa Both UK and US Travellers Use
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration lists both the United Kingdom and the United States among the countries eligible for the Visitor Visa, more commonly called the e-VOA. It costs IDR 500,000, is single entry, and allows a 30 day stay for tourism, business meetings, family visits or transit. Applying online in advance through the official e-Visa site avoids the queue at the airport counter.
The application process for UK and US passport holders is identical to the process for every other eligible nationality. Create an account on the official e-Visa site, upload a passport photo, and pay by credit card. The visa's validity period, the window in which you must enter Indonesia, is 90 days from issue, which is separate from the 30 day period of stay you get once you land.
Immigration also warns that a number of unofficial websites offer to obtain the visa for a service fee and are not connected to the Indonesian government, so apply only through the official portal and avoid any site that is not evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Keep a digital copy of the approved visa on your phone in case the system is slow at the checkpoint.
See also: Plan Your Trip to Bali
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Bali?
Yes. The United Kingdom is not on Indonesia's visa exemption list, so British passport holders need a Visitor Visa, arranged online in advance or paid for on arrival.
Do US citizens need a visa for Bali?
Yes. The United States is not on Indonesia's visa exemption list, and American travellers use the same Visitor Visa as UK travellers.
How much does a Bali visa cost for UK and US travellers?
The Visitor Visa costs IDR 500,000 for both nationalities, plus a separate IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy.
How long can UK and US travellers stay in Bali on a Visitor Visa?
The Visitor Visa allows a 30 day stay. The visa itself stays valid for 90 days from issue, which is the window in which you must arrive, not the length of your stay.
Can UK or US travellers apply for the visa on arrival?
Yes, at the airport counter after landing, though applying online in advance through the official e-Visa site avoids the queue.
Plan the Rest of the Trip While the Visa Processes
Once the visa is sorted, turn to where you are staying, what you want to do, and how you will get around. Settling these before you fly means less to organise once you land.
Where To Stay?
The visa form asks where you are staying in Indonesia, so book early. Compare hotels and villas across Bali and apply with a confirmed address.
Things To Do
While the visa is processing, plan the rest of the trip. Browse tours, temple visits and day trips so your first days in Bali are already sorted.
Rent A Car
Bali is bigger than it looks on the map. Compare car hire, check what your UK or US licence requires, and arrange transport before you land here.
Last verified: 1 September 2026
