If you want more than 60 days in Bali, you may have heard about “visa runs”. There are better routes. This guide covers the visa run Bali alternatives that let you stay longer without relying on repeated border crossings.
We explain why visa runs are risky, then compare extensions, the C1 and the remote worker visa. If you are still choosing a permit, see our Indonesia visa application page.
What is a Bali visa run?
A visa run means leaving Indonesia and coming back to start a fresh stay, usually on a new visa on arrival. People do it to get past the 60-day limit of a B1.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not a government body. We do not recommend repeated visa runs as a way to live in Bali. The rest of this page explains why, and what to consider instead.
Why visa runs are risky
Leaving and re-entering on a new eligible visa is not illegal by itself. The problem is that every entry is assessed by an immigration officer, and re-entry is never guaranteed.
- Entry can be refused. Officers can question your purpose, and previous entries and exits are visible to them. A clean history does not guarantee admission.
- Repeated tourist stays draw questions. A passport full of back-to-back short stays can make an officer doubt you are really a tourist. There is no published number of entries that is “safe”.
- Refusal is costly. You may be sent back to the country you came from, at your own expense.
- The costs add up. You pay for flights, time away and a new visa fee each time, and you still end up with only 30 days to start.
- Tourist visas do not allow work. Working on one, including some remote work, can create a separate problem.
If you plan to live in Bali for months, it is safer to choose a visa that matches your real plans.
Visa run Bali alternatives at a glance
| Option | Best for | Stay | Key point |
| Extend a B1 | Up to 60 days | 30 days plus one 30-day extension | Government fee IDR 500,000 |
| C1 tourist visa | Up to about six months | 60 days, extendable twice to 180 days | Single entry, so it ends if you leave Indonesia |
| E33G remote worker visa | Employed by a company outside Indonesia | Up to one year | Income requirement of around USD 60,000 a year |
| Other long-stay permits | Work, investment, family or retirement | Varies | Needs a sponsor and specific criteria |
Rules vary by passport, so check your own nationality before you choose.
Alternative 1: Extend your B1 instead of leaving
The B1 tourist visa is the visa on arrival, or e-VOA. It gives 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, so 60 days is the maximum. The government fee is IDR 500,000.
Extending means an online application, then an in-person visit to an immigration office for a photo, fingerprints and a short interview. Aim to file about two weeks before expiry, and no later than one week before. Our guide on how to extend visa in Bali walks through every step.
Alternative 2: Apply for a C1 before you travel
If you already know you want to stay beyond 60 days, the C1 visa for longer stays is built for it. It is a single-entry visa for 60 days, formerly known as B211A. It can be extended twice, by 60 days each time, for up to 180 days in total.
The government fee is typically around IDR 2,000,000 for each 60-day extension, and extensions are usually filed through a sponsor. A C1 does not allow work. Because it is single entry, it ends if you leave Indonesia, so it is not designed for trips in and out.
Alternative 3: The E33G remote worker visa
If you work remotely for a company based outside Indonesia, the E33G remote worker visa is designed for that. It is valid for up to one year and has an income requirement of around USD 60,000 a year from foreign sources.
Holders may not work for Indonesian companies. Criteria can change, so confirm the current rules before you apply. For tax questions, speak to a qualified adviser.
Alternative 4: Other long-stay permits
Other long-stay permits exist for people who work, invest, have family in Indonesia or want to retire. These usually need a sponsor and meet specific criteria. They are beyond the scope of this guide, but our team can point you in the right direction.
Which option fits you?
- Staying up to 60 days: Take a B1 and extend it once.
- Staying two to six months: Apply for a C1 before you fly.
- Working remotely for an overseas employer: Look at the E33G.
- Living in Bali long term: Ask about a long-stay permit that matches your reason for staying.
For a full comparison of limits by visa, read our guide to how long you can stay in Bali.
Common mistakes
- Treating visa runs as a long-term plan. Entry is assessed each time and can be refused.
- Assuming earlier entries guarantee the next one. They do not.
- Working on a tourist visa. Tourist visas do not allow work.
- Waiting until the last week. Extension appointments and public holidays can push you past your expiry date.
- Forgetting the C1 is single entry. Leaving Indonesia ends it.
- Ignoring your expiry date. The overstay fine is IDR 1,000,000 per day.
Apply yourself or get help?
A B1 extension is realistic to do yourself if you are organised and start early. Choosing between a C1, an E33G or another permit is harder, because the right answer depends on your passport, your work and your plans.
Help makes sense when your situation is not simple. Whatever you choose, never pay for a promise of guaranteed approval. Only the authorities decide.
How Hey Rick Visa helps
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service from PT Rick’s Group Indonesia, based in Legian, Bali. Our process has three steps: find your visa with the visa checker, apply and pay in under 10 minutes, then we handle the rest. Technology and human experts check your details before submission.
If you are already in Bali, you can submit a simple form for an extension, and our team reviews it before filing. Support is available around the clock in multiple languages through chat, WhatsApp and email. We cannot guarantee approval, and you will still attend your immigration appointment yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Are visa runs legal in Bali?
Leaving and re-entering on a new eligible visa is not illegal by itself. But each entry is assessed by an officer, and entry can be refused. We do not recommend repeated runs as a way to live in Bali.
How many visa runs can I do in Bali?
There is no published number you can rely on. Officers use their discretion and can see your previous entries. If you plan to stay for months, choose a visa that fits your plans instead.
What is the best alternative to a visa run in Bali?
That depends on how long you want to stay. For up to 60 days, extend a B1. For up to about six months, apply for a C1 before you travel. For remote workers employed outside Indonesia, the E33G is built for up to one year.
Can I work remotely in Bali on a tourist visa?
Tourist visas do not allow work. If you work remotely for an overseas employer, look at the E33G remote worker visa and speak to a qualified adviser about tax.
Can I stay in Bali for six months?
A C1 can reach 180 days with two 60-day extensions, which is about six months. You must file each extension before the previous stay expires.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Approval is decided by the immigration authorities, and no private service can guarantee it. Accurate details and early filing give you the best chance of a smooth outcome.
Ready to stay longer in Bali?
The best visa run Bali alternatives are simple: extend a B1, apply for a C1 before you travel, or look at a remote worker visa if you qualify. To get started, apply for an Indonesia visa with Hey Rick Visa.
Not sure which route fits your plans? Speak to our team and we will point you in the right direction.
Hey Rick Visa is a private visa assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Indonesia. We provide assistance with visa applications and charge a service fee.