What Is the Bali Tourist Tax?
The Bali tourist levy is a mandatory $10 USD (IDR 150,000) fee charged to every international visitor arriving in Bali, Indonesia. Its official name is the Pungutan Wisatawan Asing (Foreign Tourist Levy), and it is collected by the Provincial Government of Bali through the Bali tourist levy system. It was introduced on 14 February 2024 under Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023 to fund environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and tourism infrastructure across the island.
Bali Tourist Tax at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tax name | Pungutan Wisatawan Asing (Foreign Tourist Levy) |
| Amount | $10 USD / IDR 150,000 per person |
| Currency charged | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), payable by card or e-wallet |
| When to pay | Before arrival or at the airport on arrival |
| Operated by | Provincial Government of Bali |
| Legal basis | Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023 |
| Effective from | 14 February 2024 |
| Frequency | One-time for your stay in Bali — not a daily charge |
| Age exemption | None — all foreign visitors including infants pay |
| Verified at | Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) immigration |
| Proof of payment | QR code delivered by email |
| Refundable? | Limited — non-refundable once the QR is scanned |
Unlike a standard visa fee, the Bali tourist tax is a separate charge collected by the provincial government of Bali. It applies regardless of your visa type — whether you enter on a visa-free arrangement, a visa on arrival, or a pre-arranged visa. The revenue is earmarked for beach clean-ups, temple restoration, water management systems, and programs that support Balinese communities in tourism-heavy areas.
History of the Bali Tourist Levy
The idea of a Bali tourist levy was first discussed in 2019 when the provincial government recognized the environmental and infrastructure strain caused by millions of annual visitors. Bali consistently ranks among the world's most visited islands, welcoming over 6 million international tourists in peak years.
The formal legal basis came through Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023, which authorized the collection of a foreign tourist contribution. After months of preparation and system development, the levy officially launched on February 14, 2024.
The government's stated goals for the levy include:
- Environmental protection — funding waste management, coral reef restoration, and water conservation projects
- Cultural preservation — maintaining Bali's thousands of temples and supporting traditional arts
- Infrastructure development — improving roads, public facilities, and tourist infrastructure
- Community welfare — supporting Balinese communities in tourism-heavy areas
Since its launch, the levy has generated hundreds of billions of Indonesian Rupiah, with funds distributed across Bali's nine regencies for local projects.
Who Needs to Pay?
All foreign nationals visiting Bali are required to pay the tourist levy. This includes:
- Tourists visiting for leisure or holiday
- Business travelers attending meetings or conferences
- Digital nomads on remote work visas
- Transit passengers staying overnight in Bali
- Visitors arriving by air or sea
- Travelers on cruise ships who disembark in Bali
Exempt categories include:
- Indonesian citizens (WNI)
- Holders of diplomatic or service passports on official duty
- Crew members of airlines and ships on duty
- Foreign nationals holding a KITAS or KITAP (Indonesian residence permit)
Step-by-Step Payment Walkthrough
The Bali government runs the official levy portal at lovebali.baliprov.go.id — the only site ending in .go.id. If you'd rather have it handled in English, pay for the whole family in one transaction, and get your QR codes emailed back, Vistumo does that for you. Here's what to expect either way.
What you'll need
- Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Email address
- Arrival date in Bali
- Flight number or vessel name
- Accommodation address in Bali (hotel name or address)
Payment methods
- Credit/Debit card — Visa, Mastercard, JCB
- Digital wallets — international e-wallets supported
Receiving your QR code
After successful payment, a QR code is sent to your registered email address. This QR code is your proof of payment and must be presented upon arrival.
Important: Download the QR code to your phone, take a screenshot, and save a copy in your email. Having multiple backups ensures you can present it even without internet access at the airport.
What Happens If You Don't Pay
Skipping the levy won't get you fined or turned away — but it can still cost you part of a good day, which is the part actually worth avoiding. Here's the real picture:
- You get stopped at the worst moments — Tourism officers spot-check QR codes at the big sights (Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Tegallalang) and around the airport. No code, and you're paying on patchy data at a temple gate while your group drifts off, or queuing at the airport counter after a long flight.
- On-the-spot payment — If you're checked and haven't paid, you settle the IDR 150,000 there and then — same price, just at the most inconvenient time.
- No fine, no entry denial (as of mid-2026) — Immigration can't refuse you over a provincial levy, and a penalty proposed in 2024 never became law. So the cost of skipping it isn't a fine; it's the interruption.
- And it's tightening — Checks have ramped up through 2026 and a rate increase has been floated, so "I'll risk it" gets less appealing by the month.
That's the whole case for paying ahead: for about $10, done from home, you walk past every check with the QR ready and never give it another thought. Through 2025 only about a third of arrivals paid, which is exactly why the spot-checks keep getting more visible — the island is chasing that gap, and the trend is more checks, not fewer.
The Airport Arrival Process
Understanding what happens when you land at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) helps you prepare:
- Aircraft arrival and disembarkation — Follow signs to Immigration / Passport Control
- QR code check — Officers may ask to see your levy QR code before or around the immigration area; it isn't always checked, but have it ready
- Immigration processing — Present your passport, visa (if applicable), and customs declaration
- Baggage claim — Collect your luggage from the carousel
- Customs inspection — Pass through customs with your declaration form
- Exit to arrivals hall — You are now officially in Bali
If your code is checked, having it ready on your phone makes it a few-second job — officers can scan it straight from your screen. It isn't always checked at the airport, but it's worth having open just in case.
Pro tip: Have your QR code open and ready before you reach the immigration line. This speeds up the process significantly, especially during peak arrival times when multiple international flights land simultaneously.
Paying Online vs. Paying at the Airport
| Feature | Online (Before Trip) | At the Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Pay from anywhere, anytime | Must queue at payment counter |
| Wait time | None | 15-45 minutes during peak hours |
| Payment methods | Card, e-wallet, bank transfer | Limited options, often card only |
| Language support | Multiple languages available | Indonesian and basic English |
| Receipt | Digital QR code via email | Paper receipt, easy to lose |
| Group payment | Pay for entire family at once | Individual processing required |
| Price | $10 USD | $10 USD (same price) |
| Risk | None | Technical issues, long queues |
The clear winner is online payment before your trip. There is no price advantage to paying at the airport, and the convenience of having your QR code ready eliminates one stress point from your travel day.
Family and Group Payment Tips
Traveling with family or a group requires some extra planning for the tourist levy:
- Each person needs their own QR code — The levy is per person, including children (there is no age exemption for foreign nationals). Each traveler needs an individual payment and QR code.
- Pay for everyone in one session — Use Vistumo to streamline group payments with a single checkout process and one set of receipts for the whole family.
- Organize QR codes clearly — Label each QR code with the traveler's name. A simple approach is to create a dedicated photo album on your phone with each person's code.
- Designate one person as the "levy manager" — Have one family member handle all payments and keep all QR codes on their device, with backup copies shared to other travelers.
- Double-check passport names — The name on each levy payment must match the passport exactly. Pay special attention to middle names, hyphens, and special characters.
- Children's passports — Even infants with their own passport require a separate levy payment. Only Indonesian citizens are exempt.
Tax Receipt and Refund Policy
Receipts
After payment, you receive:
- An email confirmation with transaction details
- A QR code (your levy receipt and entry document)
- A transaction reference number for your records
Keep these documents for at least 30 days after your trip. Some travelers keep them longer for expense reporting or tax purposes.
Refund Policy
The Bali tourist levy refund policy is limited:
- Trip cancellation — If you cancel your trip entirely, you may be able to request a refund through the official Love Bali system. Processing times aren't guaranteed, so allow plenty of time.
- Date changes — If you change your travel dates, contact customer support to update your levy. In many cases, the QR code can be reissued for new dates without additional payment.
- Duplicate payments — If you accidentally pay twice, refunds for duplicate transactions are processed upon request with proof of both payments.
- Non-refundable after use — Once your QR code has been scanned at immigration, the levy is non-refundable.
If you booked through Vistumo, contact our support team with your transaction reference number and passport details and we'll handle the refund request on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Bali tourist tax in 2026?
The Bali tourist tax is $10 USD (IDR 150,000) per person in 2026. The amount has not changed since the levy launched on 14 February 2024 and is set by Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023.
Is the Bali tourist tax mandatory?
Yes. The Bali tourist levy is legally mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Bali, established under Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023. The only exempt categories are Indonesian citizens, diplomatic passport holders on duty, crew members on duty, and foreign residents holding a KITAS or KITAP permit.
How do I avoid Bali tourist tax scam sites?
Numerous copycat domains ("bali-touristlevy.com", "balilevy.org", and similar) charge inflated fees — sometimes 3-4x the real amount — and a few fail to deliver a valid QR code at all. The actual Bali levy is fixed at $10 USD (IDR 150,000) per person by Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023. Use a trusted service like Vistumo to handle the payment.
Do I need to pay the levy for a layover in Bali?
If you are transiting through Ngurah Rai Airport without passing through immigration (staying in the international transit area), you do not need to pay the levy. However, if you exit the airport — even briefly — you must pay.
Can I pay the levy with Indonesian Rupiah?
The levy is set in Indonesian Rupiah — IDR 150,000, which is about $10 USD. Depending on how you pay, your card may be billed in IDR or converted to your home currency. You don't need to get hold of cash USD.
Is the levy a one-time payment or per visit?
Officially, Love Bali describes it as a one-time payment for your time travelling in Bali — not a daily charge. The portal doesn't spell out every leave-and-return scenario, so if your trip involves exiting and re-entering Indonesia, check the official site before you go.
What if my QR code does not scan at the airport?
Keep your email confirmation and transaction reference number as backup. Immigration officers can manually verify your payment using your passport number and reference code. This is rare but having the backup information ensures a smooth process.
Do children need to pay the levy?
Yes. All foreign nationals regardless of age must pay the $10 USD levy. This includes infants and children traveling on their own passport.
How long is the QR code valid?
The QR code is tied to your declared arrival date. Love Bali doesn't publish a fixed validity window, so it's best to pay close to your trip and match your actual arrival date as closely as you can.
Can I use the same QR code for Bali and other Indonesian islands?
No. The tourist levy is specific to Bali and is separate from any national Indonesian visa fees. If you travel to other Indonesian islands (Lombok, Java, Komodo), the Bali levy does not apply there — though those destinations may have their own local fees.
What payment proof do hotels or tour operators need?
Hotels and tour operators in Bali do not typically ask to see your levy payment. The verification happens exclusively at immigration upon arrival. However, some premium tour operators may request confirmation as part of their booking process.
Is the tourist levy the same as the visa on arrival fee?
No. The tourist levy ($10 USD) and the visa on arrival (VOA, approximately $35 USD) are two separate fees. The VOA is a national immigration fee managed by the Indonesian government, while the tourist levy is a provincial fee managed by Bali. You may need to pay both depending on your nationality and visa arrangement.
Is the Bali tourist levy refundable?
The levy is refundable only in limited cases, such as a duplicate payment or a fully cancelled trip. Once the QR code is scanned at immigration it's non-refundable, and changes of plan, weather or flights don't qualify. Where a refund does apply, it's handled through the official system and processing times aren't guaranteed.
When was the Bali tourist tax introduced?
The Bali tourist levy launched on 14 February 2024, following Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023. It was discussed as early as 2019 but was delayed by the pandemic and operational setup. The system is now a permanent revenue stream for the Bali provincial budget.
Plan Ahead for a Smooth Arrival
The Bali tourist levy is a small but important part of your trip preparation. By paying online before you travel, you eliminate potential delays and start your Bali experience stress-free. Use Vistumo for a streamlined, multi-language checkout that handles the entire process and delivers your QR code by email — no manual form-filling, no Indonesian-language UI to translate, and family-friendly group payments in one transaction. Save your QR code in multiple places, double-check the name on your payment matches your passport, and you will breeze through immigration while others wait in line.