Bali 2026: the new visa, levy and law changes every Aussie needs to know
Everything that's changed since your last Bintang.
Australians travelling to Indonesia and Bali in 2026 have new border rules to comply with.
Before arriving in Indonesia by plane or boat, tourists must complete an All Indonesia Arrival Card card and apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA). This must be applied for 72 hours before you arrive and you get a QR Code that you must show to officers upon landing.
Both can be completed on the All Indonesia website at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or on evisa.imigrasi.go.id, according to the Australian Government's Smartraveller.
If you do not apply for an e-VOA in advance of your travel to Indonesia, you can still apply for a regular Visa on Arrival (VOA) at certain international airports, including Jakarta, Bali, and Lombok, but you will need to wait in line when you arrive.
These new rules came into force on October 1, 2025.
The e-VOA and VOA cost IDR 500,000 ($45), with the e-VOA charging an additional small fee for online processing.
Foreign tourists entering Indonesia are also subject to a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 ($13.55) per person. The tourist levy is separate from the e-VOA and the VOA.
Tourists must always carry identification in Indonesia and Bali, such as your passport or a copy of your passport.
If you're holidaying in Bali, read the local government's guidelines for tourists. Advice includes how to dress, respecting local culture, traffic violations, disrespectful photos and haggling aggressively.
"Bad behaviour that disrespects local culture or religion can get you in trouble or even deported," Smartraveller says.
From January 2, 2026, a revised criminal code will apply that includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage.
"If you're married, authorities can act on a complaint submitted by your spouse. If you're unmarried, authorities can act on a complaint submitted by your child or parent," Smartraveller says.
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Data from flight booking website Webjet shows Bali is set to be the top destination for Aussies in 2026, for bookings made so far for travel between January 1 and November 15, 2026.
Tokyo, Auckland and London are the next most popular destinations.
Read the full Smartraveller advisory before your Bali or Indonesia holiday.
Sarah is Explore's Digital News Editor. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!. My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
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