Bali Explains the Key Differences Between Visas and Stay Permits for Foreign Tourists
You are in Bali, you have heard the waves calling, and the last thing you want to think about is paperwork. However, in 2025, the immigration department of Indonesia is also making it clear: learn the distinction between a visa and a stay permit, or you will have headaches when it comes to legal issues. Here’s your easy and clear Bali visa vs stay permit explanation to help you stay stress-free and penalty-free.
What is a Visa?
Having a visa is an invitation, it opens the door but it does not allow you to settle in.
Tourists often use the following types of visas:
Visa on arrival (VoA):
Valid for 30 days and one-time 30-day renewal. Easy, fast and done right at the airport.
Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA):
Just like VoA, only online and pre-booked. Jumps the airport line, and extensions are digital as well.
Visit Visa (B211A):
Applied before travel, often for longer visits or specific purposes like business or family visits.
A visa allows you to enter Indonesia. But what happens after you enter?
What is a Stay Permit?
In case the visa is your entry ticket, the stay permit is your seat at the theatre. To have a good time at the show, you will require the two.
Your right to stay in Indonesia will be your stay permit granted by the local immigration upon arrival. It is essential when you have a plan to stay longer or have some activities (remote work or study, etc.).
Common stay permits:
- Visit Stay Permit:
Automatically linked to VoA or e-VoA; valid up to 60 days total.
- Limited Stay Permit (KITAS):
For work, study, or family reunification—valid from 6 to 12 months.
- Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP):
For long-term residents or retirees; valid for years.
Keep in mind, a visa does not guarantee you can stay forever. This is why the government is clarifying the rules around foreign visitor permits for Bali in 2025 – because so many tourists have overstayed their visas or permits without realising it, meaning that they are liable for fines or bans.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Visa | Stay Permit |
| Purpose | Entry into Indonesia | Legal stay inside Indonesia |
| Issued by | Embassy / Online Portal | Local Immigration in Indonesia |
| When Required | Before or at entry | After entering |
| Duration | Usually 30–60 days | Varies: 30 days to multiple years |
| Extension | Limited (VoA/e-VoA: once only) | Multiple times for KITAS/KITAP |
Avoiding Mistakes: Important Things to Know
- Don’t confuse visas and stay permits. It is like mixing up a boarding pass and a passport.
- Plan ahead. Are you planning to stay for more than 60 days? You will need a sponsor and a KITAS.
- Never overstay your visa! Even a day can be a fine or a ban on returning.
Pro tip: Start your e-VoA application online. Once in Bali, if you intend to stay longer, ask immigration or a trustworthy person to assist you in getting the correct stay permit.
Conclusion
Understanding the Bali visa requirements vs. stay permit process is not just paperwork; it is your peace of mind. The Indonesian government is tightening the processes in 2025, and knowing the rules will help keep you out of trouble.
Need any help? VisaExperts can help navigate through all of this for you, from the right visa to the paperwork related to your stay permit. We help you through complicated processes so you can enjoy what is truly important—the wonderful lifestyle of Bali.
Let the beach be your worry—not your documents.
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