Passport validity rules for Indonesia
Bali and the rest of Indonesia enforce the 6-month passport rule with no flexibility. Travellers get turned back at Denpasar airport every week for missing it by days.
6 months beyond entry. 6 months beyond entry, strictly enforced — includes Bali.
Airlines flying to Indonesia check your passport against the 6-month rule the moment you check in. Even if the country itself would let you in, the airline won't board you — no refund, ticket marked used. Here's what actually happens →
Can I travel to Indonesia?
6 months beyond entry, strictly enforced — includes Bali.
Indonesia and Bali: what changed in 2024
Indonesia requires six months' passport validity from your date of entry, and Bali's Ngurah Rai airport has been one of the strictest enforcement points in Asia since the 2022 tourism restart. The Visa on Arrival system introduced in 2022 and the pre-arrival e-VOA system (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) both check passport validity as part of the application, and the VOA will not be granted at under six months.
A new tourist levy of IDR 150,000 was introduced in February 2024 for foreign visitors arriving in Bali, payable via the Love Bali app. This is separate from the visa and separate from the passport rule, but it's part of the same document check at arrival. Have the QR code ready alongside your visa confirmation and passport.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need 6 months on my passport for Bali or Indonesia?
- Yes. Indonesia (including Bali) strictly enforces the 6-month passport validity rule from your date of entry. Airlines will not let you board without it.
- Do I need a visa for Bali?
- Most Western visitors need the Visa on Arrival (VOA) — 500,000 IDR for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days. Buy online before travel via the official Indonesian immigration site.
- Does the 6-month rule apply to Indonesia's other islands?
- Yes — Jakarta, Lombok, Sumatra, Java, every entry point. The rule is national, not Bali-specific.
- I've heard people get turned back at Denpasar — is that true?
- Yes. Bali immigration regularly denies entry to travellers with under 6 months validity, even when airlines let them board. Don't risk it.
Related reading
All guides →Why countries enforce it and how to tell if you meet it.
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Full list of countries that strictly enforce the rule.
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Denied boarding, refused entry — the real consequences.
Read →Why your airline can refuse you boarding.
Read →Same-day vs One Week — real waits and true costs.
Read →Browse every destination in one list.
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