Arriving in Bali on a cruise with a stop at Benoa Harbor, or sailing in on your own yacht? Please note that cruise visitors and yacht travelers follow the same visa rules as those flying in.
The e-VOA (the electronic B1 Visa on Arrival) or the single-entry tourist visa (C1) covers arrivals by cruise ship or yacht, just as it covers arrivals by air. Some nationalities may also enter visa-free. Private yachts require their own vessel clearance, which is separate from your personal visa.
Summary
There is no separate "cruise visa" or "Bali visa". Travelers arriving by sea follow the same visa rules as those arriving by air.
The e-VOA (a 30-day stay, extendable once) and the C1 single-entry tourist visa (a 60-day stay, extendable up to 180 days in total) are the main options. Some nationalities may enter visa-free for 30 days.
Benoa, Padang Bai and Celukan Bawang are official Bali seaport entry points for e-VOA holders.
Visiting yachts must obtain a sailing permit through the online YachtERS system before entering Indonesian waters.
Which visa applies when you arrive in Bali by sea?
The Directorate General of Immigration applies the same visa rules to sea and air arrivals. What decides your option is your passport, the purpose of your visit, and how long you plan to stay.
| Aspect | Visa-free entry | B1 Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) | C1 visit visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Listed nationalities only | Listed nationalities only | Most nationalities; some need an Indonesian sponsor |
| First stay | Up to 30 days from arrival | Up to 30 days from arrival | Up to 60 days from arrival |
| Extension | Not possible | Once, up to 60 days in total | Several times, up to 180 days in total |
| How you get it | No application | Online before travel, or paid on arrival | Online before travel |
Visa requirements vary by nationality, so check your passport against the official lists before you book your trip.
As of October 12, 2026, visa-free entry is available to citizens of Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Timor-Leste, Suriname, Colombia, Hong Kong, Turkiye, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau and Belarus. It allows tourism, family visits, meetings and transit, and requires a return or onward ticket.
Can you use the e-VOA if you arrive at Benoa Harbor?
Yes. Immigration's list of entry points for e-VOA holders includes three Bali seaports: Benoa, Padang Bai and Celukan Bawang. Ngurah Rai International Airport is also listed as an eligible entry point.
The official e-VOA information page on evisa.imigrasi.go.id lists the same seaports. The list may change, so check it shortly before you sail.
An approved e-VOA does not guarantee entry into Indonesia. The immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision.
What should cruise passengers on a short shore visit know?
Your stay is counted from the day you arrive in Indonesia. Visa-free entry, the e-VOA and the C1 are all single-entry permissions. If your ship leaves Indonesia and comes back later in the voyage, check with the cruise line how the second entry will be handled before relying on your original entry permission.
You do not need to wait until the ship docks to arrange your visa. You can apply for the e-VOA online on evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
The official FAQ states that you can apply 14 days before travel and advises applying at least 48 hours before departure. As onboard internet can be unreliable, it's best to apply before you embark.
What do private yacht owners and longer stays need?
If you plan to spend several weeks in Balinese waters, a 30-day stay on an e-VOA may be too short. The C1 visit visa is the single-entry tourist visa designed for longer, non-work visits.
Immigration's C1 page lists tourism and travel on a cruise ship among its permitted purposes. It allows an initial stay of 60 days, extendable up to 180 days in total. Visa holders may not sell goods or services or receive payment from anyone in Indonesia.
The yacht itself is a separate matter from your visa. Indonesia's official tourism site states that a sailing permit must be obtained through YachtERS, an online registration system, before entering Indonesian waters. YachtERS replaced the earlier CAIT (Clearance Approval of Indonesian Territory) system.
The permit covers the boat's entry, while each person on board still requires a valid visa or visa-free entry. YachtERS is managed by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
Yacht clearance steps may change frequently. Confirm the current process with the harbormaster or a local ship agent at your planned port of entry.
Read also: Bali Visa Online: How Foreign Visitors Can Apply and Extend Eligible Visas Online
What are the Bali visa document requirements?
SPUN Global's product pages provide a document checklist personalized to your nationality and country of residence. Enter your details on the page to view the latest requirements. For example, as of October 13, 2026, the checklists for a traveler with an Australian passport living in Australia include the following.
For the e-VOA (product page):
- A passport
- A color photo, 3 cm x 4 cm, red background
- A return or onward ticket
For the Indonesia Single Entry Tourist Visa (C1) (product page):
- A passport
- A color photo, 3 cm x 4 cm, red background
Immigration's C1 page also lists a bank statement for the last three months showing a minimum of USD 2,000 or equivalent, in your name or your sponsor's name. The same page lists a passport valid for at least six months. Keep both ready.
Arriving travelers are also asked to complete the All Indonesia arrival card online at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id before entering Indonesia. Check with your cruise line or port authority whether it applies at your port of entry. The arrival card is not a visa.
The Bali tourist levy also applies to foreign tourists visiting Bali. Pay it through the official Love Bali site before you arrive, or pre-pay it through SPUN Global's Bali page.
How do you apply for a Bali visa through SPUN Global?
SPUN Global is a trusted online visa platform, handling applications for both the Indonesia e-VOA and C1 tourist visa. The application process is similar for both:
Create or log in to your SPUN Global account.
Open the product page for the Indonesia Electronic Visa on Arrival or the Indonesia Single Entry Tourist Visa (C1).
Pay online through one of the supported payment methods.
Upload your documents for the SPUN Global team to review before submission.
Wait out the processing window. Each product page lists the current processing time and an estimated visa issuance date. SPUN Global quotes 1 to 3 working days for the e-VOA and 10 to 14 working days for the C1, so apply well in advance of your sailing date.
Download the approved visa from your account before you board.
Plan backwards from your embarkation date, not your Bali arrival date.
If you prefer to apply independently, SPUN Global's Approval Insight, a paid service, can review your documents against the current requirements using AI and provide a report with recommendations. Expert Insight offers a review by SPUN Global's visa expert team, with additional step-by-step guidance and a dedicated chat with a visa expert.
A document review can help reduce the risk of rejection by identifying missing or inconsistent information before submission. However, the final approval decision rests with the relevant Indonesian authorities.
Before you apply, you can contact SPUN Global to check your eligibility for the visa you need, given your nationality, sailing dates and length of stay.
Check your visa before your ship sails: start your application on SPUN Global.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every cruise passenger need a visa for Bali?
No, not every cruise passenger requires a visa. Holders of passports from countries on Indonesia's visa-free list may enter for up to 30 days. Others need the e-VOA (for eligible nationalities) or a visa obtained before travel, such as the C1, just as they would when flying in.
Can I apply for the e-VOA while on board?
Yes, it is an online application, as long as you have internet access and time before arrival. Immigration advises applying at least 48 hours before departure.
Does my visa cover my yacht?
No. A yacht requires its own sailing permit through YachtERS before entering Indonesian waters.
Whether you apply directly or use a visa service, you remain responsible for complying with the visa's validity, permitted length of stay, and conditions.
About SPUN Global
SPUN Global is a trusted online visa platform, registered in Indonesia and holding the relevant permits. For a Bali sea arrival, the platform offers the e-VOA, the Single Entry Tourist Visa (C1) and its extension, and the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for repeat visits.
References
Visa Kunjungan Wisata B1 (Directorate General of Immigration, imigrasi.go.id)
Visa Kunjungan Wisata C1 (Directorate General of Immigration, imigrasi.go.id)
Bebas Visa Kunjungan A1 (Directorate General of Immigration, imigrasi.go.id)
Daftar Subjek Bebas Visa Kunjungan (visa-free list) (imigrasi.go.id)
Titik Masuk Bagi Pemegang e-VOA (entry points) (imigrasi.go.id)
Information about Visitor Visa: General Information and FAQ (evisa.imigrasi.go.id)
