I'm starting my SEA trip in Bali, and I was just reading about Visa requirements on the Indonesian Embassy website. Coming from the US, I am eligible to receive a visa on-arrival. However, the embassy website isn't clear about whether or not I need to have the other things that are required when you apply for a visa beforehand, like...

1. An itinerary or letter from travel agents, airlines, ships, etc., confirming the purchase of tickets for travel into Indonesia. Please note that the visa officer may ask for a copy of the original airline ticket.

2. A letter of employment, indicating the employment status of the applicant. Retirees must submit proof of their retirement fund.

3. A bank statement copy, indicating the applicant's current funds at two weeks or less prior to the date of obtaining the visa


Can someone please tell me A.) Do I need to have these things on arrival in Bali and B.) Do I need proof of onward travel?

I used the search feature on this forum but was unable to find an answer to my questions.

Simple answer: no.
The VOA is for one month, ie 30 days, and is fairly straight-forward. It's possible that if you have a new passport without many stamps and you are young, they will ask to see proof of funds (a credit card) and an onward ticket.

Thanks for the info. My passport is new and I am in my mid-20s. Seems silly for them not to have a more concrete policy though... if I don't have an onward ticket, then I don't have one.

Well, my first trip to Bali many many years ago, I had to show my return ticket. The thing is to look, you know, presentable. and tell them what they want to hear, ie, if you don't have an onward ticket, tell them that you are taking the boat back (ferry from Batam Island to Singapore). The whole paying-for-visa thing was supposedly due to too many indigent surfers, that's what they said. But, immigration is like that in a lot of places.

Yes, the Wash DC embassy website could be clearer. I go thru the whole rigamarole to get a two-month visa (Fed Ex or equiv is required for the return env btw) but have friends who have got it in BKK, London, NY just by showing up, no paperwork.

There are some more articles about the VOA process on the Bali Travel Guide.

I certainly didn't need any additional info when I arrived in Bali. I had an onward bound ticket but don't remember if they checked it. I certainly didn't need anything else besides the cash to pay for the visa.

Have a fantastic trip!

Anyone know if the VOA rules are the same for Americans going through Jakarta? I have to change planes there to get to Bali.

Seems silly for them not to have a more concrete policy though

You haven't been over to that part of the world before huh? The reason it's hard to get concrete answers is because there aren't any. Sometimes it's one way, sometimes another way. Generally speaking onwards proof of travel and proof of suffienct funds are never asked about. But, it does happen, rarely.

Once you get of your plan in Denpasar you will go into customs holding bay, I call it a holding bay as you will feel like a cow being hearded along exspecaily if its busy at time, the prosece took nealy two hours on my last visit. You will first line up to hand over your cash of visa (or a slip of paper which ever way you look at it) .Then line up again to go throught customes.

You have and go through the process to really understand how crazy there system is but that is the charm of Bali.
Everyones out of any extra cash from the tourist that they can muster. From the moment you get of the plane you will have everyone wanting to take from you.

Remenber you will also need to Pay a exiting fee or airport tax when leaving so keep an extra$50 USD on hand for leaving.

I have just finshed reading my thought and It sound like I dislike the hole process. I love Bali but it just show that yes the process is silly and that part of the world is very differnet to Where you are comig from. I woulds have a onward ticket if I where yuo just in case.