Yes, most cruise passengers must have a visa to enter Indonesia when arriving at Pelabuhan Benoa (Benoa Cruise Port) in Bali. They must apply for an e-VOA before arriving at Bali’s Pelabuhan Benoa (Benoa Cruise Port), because cruise arrivals cannot purchase a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at the port.
Only ASEAN passport holders get visa-free entry, and travelers who are not e-VOA-eligible or need a longer stay should apply for a Visit Visa (C1/211A). Many cruise lines also require passengers to have their visa approved before boarding, so always follow your cruise’s instructions.
Cruise ships dock at Pelabuhan Benoa, located at Pedungan, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar City, Bali. This is the address you should use when applying for your e-VOA or Visit Visa.
Which Visa Do You Need When Entering Bali by Cruise Ship?
e-VOA / VOA
Who it’s for
- Nationals on Indonesia’s VoA/e-VOA list (97 countries including most of Europe, UK, US, Australia, NZ, Japan, Korea, etc.).
- Short tourist visits, cruise stops, basic business meetings, or transit (not work).
Validity & stay
Key notes for cruise passengers
- Benoa is an official entry point for e-VOA and pre-arranged visas.
- You cannot buy Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Benoa.
Cruise passengers must have e-VOA or a Visit Visa (C1/B211A) before arrival.
- Arrive with an e-VOA: immigration simply scans your QR code and clears you faster.
- If you don’t have a pre-arranged visa, you may not be allowed to disembark, and some cruise lines may refuse boarding.
- Some cruise lines arrange visas in bulk, but not all do, always check your cruise documents.
Need an e-VOA before your cruise arrives in Bali? Visa BaliEasy can help you apply quickly and correctly so you can disembark smoothly at Benoa. Just send us your passport and arrival date.
C1 Tourist Visa (previously 211A Tourist Visa): For Longer Stays & Non-e-VOA Eligible Countries
Use it if:
- You want to stay in Indonesia longer than 60 days, or
- Your nationality is not on the VoA/e-VOA list, or
- Your cruise itinerary includes multiple Indonesian ports over many weeks,
then you usually need a Single Entry Visit Visa (C1/211A Tourist or other visit category).
Typical features (tourist C1/B211A):
How to Apply for an e-VOA for Arrival at Benoa Cruise Port
Even if you’re arriving by cruise ship, you can still enter Bali using an e-VOA, you just need to apply online before you travel.
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Make sure you have:
- Passport valid for 6+ months (photo page, JPG/PNG, max 200kb)
- Passport-style photo (JPG/PNG, max 200kb)
- Valid email address
- Credit/debit card for payment
Step 2: Apply Online
- Visit evisa.imigrasi.go.id → choose e-VOA.
- Create an account and fill in:
- Your personal details (exactly as in your passport)
- Arrival port: Benoa, Bali
- Address in Indonesia: use your cruise ship details or Benoa Port address
- Upload your passport + photo.
- Pay the e-VOA fee (IDR 500,000).
Step 3: Receive Your e-VOA
- You’ll receive a PDF/QR code by email.
- Print it or save it on your phone.
- Immigration at Benoa will scan your QR code when the ship arrives, no payment or long queues needed.
Important
Benoa Cruise Port does not sell VoA on arrival.
Since Benoa doesn’t offer VoA on arrival, you’ll need to purchase your visa online before you travel, and if you want a simpler process, you can easily get your e-VOA through Visa BaliEasy.
Where Is Benoa Cruise Port?
Benoa Cruise Port is Bali’s main cruise terminal.
- Address (general):
Pedungan, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar City, Bali
Google Maps
- Postcode: 80222
For visa forms, people often use:
Pedungan, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar City, Bali
80222, Indonesia
Do You Need a Visa If You Stay on the Cruise Ship and Don’t Disembark?
In practice, yes, you almost always still need a visa.
- Indonesian guidance for sea arrivals + cruise line policies treat you as entering Indonesian territory as soon as the ship is cleared in port, even if you don’t step onto the pier.
- Cruise lines routinely state that “even if you stay on the ship, you need the Indonesian visa” and may refuse boarding if you don’t have one when it’s required for the itinerary.
So for Benoa:
- If your nationality is visa-free (ASEAN) → no visa needed.
- If not → plan for VoA/e-VOA or Visit Visa, even if you intend to stay on board the whole time.
Do Cruise Ship Passengers Go Through Immigration in Bali?
Yes. The process just looks different from an airport.
- Benoa is an official Immigration checkpoint for seaport arrivals, listed among Indonesia’s seaport immigration posts.
- For big cruise ships, immigration officers usually board the vessel to clear passengers and crew:
- They may keep passengers’ passports temporarily.
- They issue an entry record (stamp or electronic record) for Indonesia.
- Sometimes passengers are also processed in the cruise terminal building if the ship uses tenders.
Requirements to Enter Bali via Benoa Cruise Port
Passport
Minimum validity: at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Indonesia.
Visa
- ASEAN nationals: usually visa-free for short visits.
- VoA/e-VOA eligible nationals:
Use e-VOA applied in advance.
- Other nationals / longer stays:
Need a C1/211A, arranged via eVisa or an Indonesian embassy/registered agent.
Your visa type must match your purpose of visit (tourism, business, family visit, etc.).
All Indonesia Arrival Card
Indonesia is rolling out the All Indonesia digital arrival card, a free online form that combines immigration, customs and health declarations into one digital process. Travelers must complete it within 3 days before arrival, at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or via the official app.
Bali Tourist Levy
Bali charges a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person (~USD 10) for all international tourists, including cruise passengers, from 14 February 2024.
- Paid once per trip, not per entry inside Bali.
- You can pay:
Keep the QR code / proof of payment on your phone; random checks are possible at tourist spots and ports.
Tips for a Smooth Arrival Before You Travel by Cruise Ship
Check What Visa You Need
- Confirm:
- Your nationality and whether it’s VoA/e-VOA eligible or visa-free (ASEAN).
- Your total time in Indonesia across all ports.
- Read your cruise line’s visa page, they may require C1/B211A even if Indonesia allows VoA.
Apply for Your Visa
If you’re VoA-eligible, you must apply for an e-VOA online before your cruise arrives, because Benoa Cruise Port does not sell Visa on Arrival.
If you’re not VoA-eligible or you plan to stay in Indonesia longer than 30–60 days, apply early for a C1/B211A / Visit Visa through the official eVisa website or a registered agent.
Always complete your visa before boarding the cruise, as passengers without a valid Indonesian visa may not be allowed to disembark in Bali.
Fill Out the All Indonesia Arrival Card
- Complete it:
- Keep the QR confirmation easily accessible (screenshot).
Pay the Bali Tourist Levy Online
- Go to the official Love Bali portal and pay IDR 150,000 with card, or you can also pay it easily through Visa BaliEasy for a smoother process.
- Download or screenshot the payment QR; it speeds up checks at Benoa.
Common Problems When Applying via the Official Immigration Website
Slow Website & System Lag
Issue: The eVisa site can be slow, especially during peak times or maintenance.
Tips:
- Apply well in advance (at least 1–2 weeks before departure for visit visas).
- Try off-peak hours.
- Refresh gently; avoid repeated payments if the page hangs, check your email and bank first.
Passport Upload Taking 5–8 Minutes (Often Fails)
Issue: Uploading the passport page (max 200kb, JPG/PNG) sometimes stalls or errors.
Tips:
- Compress the file below 200kb and use standard JPG (no HEIC/Live photos).
- Crop just the data page (no full-page shadows, fingers, etc.).
- Rename the file with simple characters (e.g., passport.jpg).
Date-of-Birth Calendar Issue (Scrolling Hundreds of Times)
Issue: Older travelers must click back month by month to reach their birth year.
Tips:
- Look for a year dropdown, some browsers show it better than others.
- Try desktop browser (Chrome/Edge) instead of mobile; the date picker is less buggy.
Difficulty Uploading Passport Photos
Issue: Photo is rejected due to size, background, or format.
Tips:
- Use a neutral background, clear lighting, no hat or sunglasses.
- Resize to under 200kb, JPG/PNG only.
- Avoid selfies with heavy filters; treat it like a real passport photo.
Confusing Address Field & Which Postcode to Use
Issue: Travelers don’t know what to enter as “address in Indonesia” for a cruise stop, and different postcodes seem to work.
Tips:
- Safe option for Benoa cruise arrival:
Jl. Raya Pelabuhan Benoa, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar, Bali 80222
- Some travelers have successfully used 80222 when the system auto-fills this for Benoa-area addresses, but 80222 is the dedicated Benoa port postal code from port references.
Why Applying Through BaliEasy Is Smoother for Cruise Passengers
Visa BaliEasy makes the visa process simpler from the beginning by reviewing your documents to prevent common mistakes that cause delays. Our team also helps you pick the right visa type for your cruise itinerary and handles accurate submission through Indonesia’s official eVisa platform.
If Immigration asks for extra documents or clarification, Visa BaliEasy will guide you on what to provide and how to respond quickly. Throughout the process, we keep an eye on your application status, sending updates and reminders so you stay on track.
You also get fast, friendly assistance through WhatsApp and email whenever you have questions. And if you decide to stay longer in Bali after your cruise, we can support you with smooth visa extension arrangements.
