Indonesia Visa “Must Be Applied by Guarantor” Error: How to Fix It
If you see the message “This type of visa must be applied by guarantor” while applying for an Indonesia visa
You can stay in Bali for 30 days, 60 days, 180 days, one year, or even several years, depending on your visa type, nationality, and purpose of stay. A Visa on Arrival (VOA/eVOA) allows up to 60 days with an extension, while a C1 Tourist Visa can allow up to 180 days without leaving Indonesia. For longer stays or frequent visits, options include the D1 Multiple Entry Visa, Remote Worker KITAS (E33G), Investor KITAS, and Retirement KITAS.
The right visa depends on how long you plan to stay and what you intend to do in Indonesia. Visa BaliEasy can help you choose the appropriate visa, apply before arrival, or extend your current stay permit before it expires.
| Visa type | Initial stay | Maximum stay / validity |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-Free Entry (A1) | 30 days | 30 days, not extendable |
| Visa on Arrival (B1/eVOA) | 30 days | 60 days with extension |
| C1 Tourist Visa | 60 days | 180 days with extensions |
| D1 Multiple Entry Tourist Visa | 60 days per entry | Up to 180 days per entry with extensions |
| Remote Worker KITAS (E33G) | 1 year | Renewable |
| Investor KITAS (E28A) | 2 years | Renewable |
| Retirement KITAS (E33F) | 1 year | Renewable |
| KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit) | Initially 5 years | Indefinite extension if eligible |
Important: A visa’s validity period and your permitted length of stay are not always the same. For example, a two-year multiple-entry visa does not automatically allow you to remain continuously in Indonesia for two years.
If you are visiting Bali for a short holiday, you may be eligible for Visa-Free Entry or Visa on Arrival.
Citizens of eligible countries can enter Indonesia without paying for a tourist visa.
This facility generally allows:
If you enter under Visa-Free Entry, you must leave Indonesia before the permitted stay expires.
Not all nationalities are eligible. Check your passport nationality against the latest list on the official Indonesian Immigration website.
An Indonesia Visa on Arrival allows eligible travelers to stay for 30 days and extend once for another 30 days, giving a maximum stay of 60 days.
You can obtain a VOA at an eligible Indonesian arrival checkpoint or apply online for an Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) before traveling.
An eVOA can save time upon arrival because your visa application and payment are completed beforehand.
Before applying, check our eVOA nationality guide to see whether your passport qualifies, then confirm current eligibility with our team.
If you may stay longer than 30 days, choosing VOA/eVOA instead of Visa-Free Entry provides the option to extend your stay.
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For travelers planning to stay in Bali for two to six months, the C1 Single Entry Tourist Visa is generally a more suitable option than VOA.
If your plans fall between a short holiday and a longer stay, compare eVOA and C1 before choosing to understand the entry and extension differences.
The C1 Tourist Visa initially allows you to stay in Indonesia for 60 days.
You can generally extend the stay permit twice, with each approved extension adding another 60 days.
| Stay period | Duration | Total stay |
|---|---|---|
| Initial C1 | 60 days | 60 days |
| First extension | +60 days | 120 days |
| Second extension | +60 days | 180 days |
This means you can stay in Bali for approximately six months without leaving Indonesia, provided the extensions are approved.
However, the C1 visa is single-entry. If you leave Indonesia, you cannot use that same visa for another entry.
The C1 visa is particularly suitable for longer holidays, visiting friends or family, and other permitted visitor activities.
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The D1 Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is designed for foreigners who frequently visit Bali or other destinations in Indonesia.
Unlike a C1 visa, a D1 visa allows multiple entries during its validity period.
Visa BaliEasy offers D1 options with one-year and two-year validity periods.
The D1 Tourist Visa generally provides:
After reaching the permitted stay limit, you must leave Indonesia. If your D1 visa remains valid, you may return and receive a new stay period, subject to immigration approval.
A two-year D1 visa does not mean you can remain in Bali for two continuous years. The two-year validity refers to the period during which the visa can be used for multiple entries.
A D1 is useful if you regularly travel between Bali and other countries and prefer not to apply for a new tourist visa for every trip.
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Many digital nomads mistakenly believe they can work remotely on a tourist visa simply because they are “not taking a local job.”
However, receiving your salary from an overseas company does not automatically mean that all your remote work activities are permitted under an Indonesian tourist visa.
Your visa must be appropriate for the activities you actually perform in Indonesia, not merely for where your employer or clients are located.
Indonesia offers the E33G Remote Worker KITAS for eligible foreigners who want to live in Indonesia while working remotely for a company established outside Indonesia.
The E33G generally provides:
The E33G is intended for eligible remote employees. It does not provide general authorization to work for Indonesian companies or carry out unauthorized local commercial activities.
If you intend to live in Bali while continuing formal employment with an overseas company, checking your E33G eligibility before arrival may help you avoid choosing a visa that does not match your activities.
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For E33G extensions or renewals, contact Visa BaliEasy to confirm your eligibility and the applicable procedure.
For foreigners who qualify through investment, retirement, or other long-term residence categories, Indonesia offers several Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) options.
The Investor KITAS allows eligible foreign investors to stay in Indonesia for up to two years.
It is designed for foreigners with qualifying investments in an Indonesian foreign investment company (PT PMA).
The applicable requirements include qualifying shareholding, company documents, and other supporting evidence.
An Investor KITAS may be extended if the applicant continues to meet the relevant investment and immigration requirements.
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For Investor KITAS extensions, contact our team to review your company documents and current permit status.
The Retirement KITAS is designed for eligible foreigners who want to spend their retirement in Indonesia.
The E33F provides an initial stay of one year and can be extended according to the applicable immigration requirements.
Applicants must meet specific eligibility conditions, including age and financial requirements. This visa does not authorize local employment.
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For Retirement KITAS extensions, contact Visa BaliEasy to confirm the latest requirements.
A KITAP, also called an ITAP, is a Permanent Stay Permit available to foreigners who meet specific eligibility requirements.
It is generally issued initially for five years and may be extended indefinitely, subject to continued eligibility and immigration reporting obligations.
KITAP is not automatically available to everyone who has lived in Bali for several years. Eligibility depends on the individual’s immigration category and circumstances.
Whether this is your first visit to Bali or you are returning after several years, there are important immigration procedures and entry requirements to be aware of.
Since 29 May 2025, foreign nationals applying for stay permit extensions in Indonesia, including VOA extensions, must attend an immigration office for photo and interview procedures.
This means that applying for an extension online does not necessarily eliminate the need to visit immigration in person.
The immigration office assigned to your appointment is determined using your registered accommodation address and postal code in the extension application.
For example, if you are staying in Canggu, you should provide your actual accommodation details instead of using an old hotel address in Ubud.
An incorrect address or postal code may result in your appointment being assigned to an inconvenient or incorrect immigration office.
Before submitting your extension, read how your accommodation address determines the immigration office so you can provide the correct location and plan your visit.
Visa BaliEasy helps coordinate extension applications and biometric appointments so you know when and where to attend.
If you become sick or cannot attend your scheduled appointment, contact our team immediately. We can follow up with the relevant immigration authorities to check whether your biometric appointment can be rescheduled, subject to approval.
Overstay happens when you remain in Indonesia beyond your permitted stay period without valid immigration authorization.
Under Indonesia’s immigration rules:
For example, overstaying by five days can result in an IDR 5,000,000 fine.
Overstay fines are not an alternative to a visa extension. You cannot simply choose to stay longer by planning to pay a fine when you leave.
If your visa is approaching expiry, contact Visa BaliEasy before the deadline to review your extension options.
Since 1 October 2025, Indonesia has required international arriving passengers to complete the All Indonesia Arrival Declaration, as explained in the Ministry’s arrival declaration announcement.
The system combines immigration, customs, health, and quarantine declarations into one digital process.
You can complete the form within three days before arriving in Indonesia.
Complete the declaration through the official website: allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id
After completing the declaration, keep your confirmation or QR code available for arrival procedures.
The All Indonesia Arrival Card is separate from your visa. Completing it does not replace the requirement to obtain a visa if your nationality needs one.
International tourists visiting Bali are generally required to pay the Bali Tourist Levy of IDR 150,000 per person.
This fee is separate from your Indonesian visa or VOA fee.
You can pay through the official Love Bali website and receive a QR-code voucher as proof of payment.
Certain travelers, including eligible KITAS and KITAP holders, may be exempt from the levy. Other exemption categories and application requirements are listed on the official Love Bali website.
If you prefer assistance, Visa BaliEasy can help arrange the tourist levy payment before your arrival.
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Before traveling to Bali, check that your passport and travel documents meet Indonesian entry requirements.
For common tourist visa categories, your passport must generally be valid for at least six months.
You should also be prepared to provide:
Some long-term visa categories may have additional passport validity requirements.
Having an approved visa also does not automatically guarantee admission. Final entry permission is determined by Indonesian Immigration at the arrival checkpoint.
A common mistake is confusing the period during which a visa can be used with the number of days you can remain in Indonesia.
For example, a C1 Tourist Visa is generally valid for use within 90 days after issuance. However, the initial permitted stay after entering Indonesia is up to 60 days.
Similarly, a D1 Multiple Entry Visa may have a validity period of one or two years, while each individual stay is subject to a separate permitted duration.
Your stay permit begins based on your admission to Indonesia and the period granted by immigration, not simply the date when your visa was issued.
Always check your actual stay permit expiry date and complete any extension requirements before that date.
| Travel plan | Visa to consider |
|---|---|
| Short holiday of up to 30 days | Visa-Free Entry or eVOA |
| Holiday of 30–60 days | eVOA with extension |
| Tourism for 2–6 months | C1 Tourist Visa |
| Frequent trips in and out of Indonesia | D1 Multiple Entry Tourist Visa |
| Living in Bali while working remotely for an overseas company | E33G Remote Worker KITAS |
| Staying in Indonesia as a qualifying investor | E28A Investor KITAS |
| Retirement in Bali | E33F Retirement KITAS |
| Qualifying permanent residence | KITAP |
Your nationality, purpose of visit, financial circumstances, and intended activities all affect which visa you can apply for.
Visa BaliEasy is a Bali-based visa agency assisting international travelers with Indonesian visa applications, visa extensions, KITAS applications, and immigration-related administrative matters.
Our team can help you choose the appropriate visa, prepare your application, extend your stay permit, and coordinate immigration appointments where required.
If you already hold a visa but want to stay longer, we can review your current permit and explain the available extension options.
Contact Visa BaliEasy before arriving in Indonesia or before your current visa expires. Simply tell our team your nationality, intended activities, and how long you plan to stay.
Visa rules, eligible nationalities, processing times, government fees, and service fees may change before this article is updated. Contact Visa BaliEasy to confirm the latest requirements for your situation.
If you see the message “This type of visa must be applied by guarantor” while applying for an Indonesia visa
An Indonesia C1 Tourist Visa generally takes around 4–5 working days to process after the immigration fee has been received,
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