Arriving at Bali Airport for the First Time: Immigration, Step by Step

What do I need when I land in Bali?

Have four things ready: your passport (valid for at least 6 months), your visa or eVOA, your completed Indonesia Arrival Card (submitted within 3 days before arrival), and your return or onward ticket. With those ready, immigration at Ngurah Rai is usually quick.

Most delays we hear about aren't visa problems at all. They're small things people didn't prepare. Here's how it goes, in order.

Before you fly

• •Get your eVOA or visa approved and saved on your phone
• •Complete the Arrival Card in the 3 days before you land
• •Keep a screenshot of your hotel booking or host address
• •Check your passport has at least 6 months left from your entry date

Step 1: Walk to immigration

Follow the signs to arrivals and immigration. If you already have an eVOA, use the lanes for visa holders rather than the visa-on-arrival payment counters.

Step 2: Immigration check

The officer checks your passport, visa and photo. You may be asked how long you're staying, where you're staying, and whether you have an onward ticket. Short, honest answers are best.

Step 3: Customs

After immigration you collect your bags and go through customs, where the Arrival Card details are used.

What if something goes wrong?

• •Visa not showing: have the approval email or PDF ready offline
• •No onward ticket: some officers ask for one — book a refundable one if unsure
• •Passport validity too short: this can stop you boarding, so check before you travel

After you arrive

Look at the stamp or visa in your passport and note the expiry date straight away. Put a reminder in your phone 7 days before it. Overstaying costs IDR 1,000,000 per day, and extensions must be started before your visa expires.

If you're travelling soon and want someone to double-check your documents, send them to us on WhatsApp before you fly.