The Bali B211 / C1 Tourist Visa is Indonesia’s long‑stay visit visa that lets German nationals stay in Bali for up to 180 days on a single entry, without converting to a work permit. You apply fully online from Germany, using an Indonesian sponsor, then receive an e‑visa to show at check‑in and on arrival.
Quick definition: what is the B211 / C1 tourist visa?
The B211 (often written B211A) and the newer C1 tourist visa are single‑entry visit visas issued by Indonesian Immigration for longer stays in Indonesia – most commonly Bali – beyond the 30–60 days a Visa on Arrival can give you.[8][7] They are designed for tourism, family visits, seminars, retreats, and similar non‑employment activities, and can be set up for up to 180 days total stay in 2026.[3][7]
If you only need 30–60 days, you may be better off with VOA – see our guide: Step‑by‑Step Bali Visa on Arrival (VOA) Guide for German Travelers. For a structured comparison, read Visa Options Compared: VOA vs B211 vs Digital Nomad Visa for Germans in Bali.
B211 / C1 in 2026: key facts Germans should know
- Type: Single‑entry visit visa for tourism (index B211A or C1).
- Stay: 60 days initial, extendable up to a maximum of 180 days in many setups.[3][7]
- Application: Fully online through Indonesia’s official e‑visa system; you do not need to visit an embassy in Germany.[5][7]
- Entry: E‑visa emailed as PDF; show it at check‑in in Germany and at immigration in Bali.[5]
- Purpose: Tourism and non‑work activities. It is not a work permit. Remote work for a foreign employer is tolerated, but Indonesian employment is prohibited.[3]
- Nationals: German citizens are fully eligible.[1][2]
From a practical standpoint, think of this as your Germany to Bali long stay visa 180 days process: one application before departure, then up to six months of tropical freedom, without visa runs.
Where to apply for a Bali B211 / C1 visa from Germany: embassy vs online
This is one of the most common confusion points – “where to apply for Bali visa in Germany embassy vs online?”. As of 2026, almost all B211 / C1 applications are done online, not at the Indonesian embassy in Berlin or consulates.
- Indonesian embassy in Germany: Mainly handles certain limited in‑person services and consular matters. In practice, most Germans do not submit B211 files physically there anymore.
- Official e‑visa portal: Applications are submitted through Indonesia’s Immigration e‑visa system, either:
- by your Indonesian sponsor/agency, or
- by yourself, if you have an Indonesian sponsor willing to register.[5][7]
In real life, almost every smooth Bali C1 tourist visa application Germany I’ve seen has gone via a Bali‑based visa agent or sponsor, because they already have registered accounts and know the current quirks of the system.
If you want us to handle everything end‑to‑end, start at our home page or jump straight to our concierge service.
Step‑by‑step: how to apply B211 Bali visa from Germany
1. Decide your stay plan
Before you hit “apply”, be clear on your timeframe:
- Up to 60 days: consider VOA or a 60‑day C1/B211.
- 60–180 days: B211 / C1 with extensions is normally the most flexible choice.[7][3]
Your intended entry date also matters because once your e‑visa is issued, you typically have around 90 days to enter Indonesia.[3]
2. Secure a sponsor in Indonesia
The B211 and many C1 tourism setups require an Indonesian sponsor – either a company (like a registered visa agency) or, in some cases, an individual.[4][7]
For German nationals, the most straightforward path is to use a Bali‑based visa company that issues the official sponsor letter for Bali visa Germany. This sponsor letter states your purpose of visit (tourism), approximate stay, and confirms the sponsor takes legal responsibility for your time in Indonesia.
3. Prepare documents in Germany
Here are the typical required documents for B211 Bali visa German nationals in 2026 (exact wording can vary slightly between B211 and C1, but the core is the same):[4][3]
- Passport – valid for:
- at least 6 months for shorter (60‑day) setups, and
- often 12 months if you’re applying directly for a 180‑day stay.[3]
- Color passport photo – 4 × 6 cm, front facing, neutral background, digital file.[5][4]
- Return or onward flight booking – can be back to Germany or to a third country; a confirmed ticket or at least a valid reservation is expected.[4][3]
- Bank statement – latest 3 months, with a minimum balance equivalent to about USD 2,000 (roughly €1,850–€1,950 depending on the exchange rate).[4][3]
- Accommodation proof – first hotel/Airbnb/villa booking or an invitation letter if staying with friends.
- Sponsor letter – issued by your Indonesian sponsor/agency.[4][7]
- Travel insurance – strongly recommended; some setups still treat it as a de‑facto requirement.
That bank statement bullet is crucial, so let’s zoom in.
Bank statement requirements Bali B211 Germany (2026)
Indonesian immigration wants to see that you can support yourself during your stay without working locally. In practical terms, the bank statement requirements Bali B211 Germany look like this in 2026:[4][3]
- At least the last 3 months of statements.
- Minimum balance around USD 2,000 (not average balance – closing balance is what officers usually glance at).[4][3]
- Account can be in your name, or a parent’s/spouse’s if you also show the relationship (e.g., Familienbuch, birth certificate).[4]
- PDF downloads from German banks are usually fine as long as your name and IBAN are visible.
I advise clients to aim for at least €2,000–€2,500 visible balance to build a safety margin, especially if you’re applying for the full 180‑day option.
Timeline: processing time Bali B211 visa for Germans
Once your sponsor uploads everything and pays the government fee on the e‑visa system, the clock starts. For German applicants, realistic 2026 timelines look like this:[3][4][7]
- Standard processing: around 7–10 working days.
- Fast cases: 3–5 working days, when the system is quiet and documents are perfect.
- Slow periods: up to 15 working days around Indonesian public holidays or system maintenance.
My rule of thumb for clients flying from Germany: have your application in at least 3–4 weeks before departure. That leaves breathing room for questions, re‑uploads, or sponsor clarifications.
Arrival in Bali on a B211 / C1 visa
Once approved, you receive a PDF e‑visa by email. Print it once, keep the PDF on your phone, and carry the same passport you used for the application. At immigration in Bali:
- You skip the VOA queues and go to the regular “Visa”/“Foreign Passport” line.
- Show passport + printed e‑visa.
- Officers may briefly ask for return ticket and where you’re staying.
The entry stamp you receive will show your initial stay period (commonly 60 days). If you’re planning to stay the full 180 days, you or your agent will arrange extensions from within Bali before each expiry.[7][3]
Common mistakes in B211 Bali visa application Germany
I see the same errors over and over from first‑time applicants in Germany. These are the classic common mistakes in B211 Bali visa application Germany:
- Passport validity too short – applying with a passport that will fall under 6 months of validity during your planned stay. Immigration will simply reject it.
- Insufficient bank balance – sending statements with €500–€800 while asking for a 180‑day stay. That’s almost guaranteed to trigger questions or refusal.
- Blurry or non‑compliant photos – selfies, cropped group photos, or incorrect dimensions. The e‑visa system is strict on photo specs.[5]
- Inconsistent travel dates – your flight booking, application form, and sponsor letter should tell the same story.
- DIY sponsor letter templates – using an old or Google‑translated template instead of an up‑to‑date letter issued by a registered Indonesian entity.
- Last‑minute applications – applying a few days before departure, then panicking when the system is slow.
Using our concierge service, we pre‑check every document to catch these issues before they hit Immigration’s desk.
Can I work remotely on B211 Bali visa as German?
This is the sensitive one. The question “can I work remotely on B211 Bali visa as German?” comes up in almost every discovery call.
- The B211 / C1 is not a work visa and does not allow you to take employment or be paid by an Indonesian company.
- However, many foreigners use it while working online for foreign employers or clients, with income paid into foreign accounts.[3]
- Current practice focuses on stopping local work (e.g., DJing in clubs, teaching yoga for an Indonesian studio, being on a restaurant’s payroll) rather than remote work for Berlin startups.
If your main goal is long‑term remote work from Bali, also look at the Remote Worker (E33G) and Second Home options, summarized here: Visa Options Compared: VOA vs B211 vs Digital Nomad Visa for Germans in Bali.
FAQ: B211 / C1 visa for Germans, in 30 seconds
1. How long can I stay in Bali on a B211 / C1 as a German citizen?
Normally up to 60 days initially, with extensions bringing you up to around 180 days total, depending on the exact visa setup your sponsor applies for.[3][7]
2. Do I need to go to the Indonesian embassy in Germany?
No. In 2026, the standard route is fully online through Indonesia’s e‑visa system, via an Indonesian sponsor or agency – no embassy visit required.[5][7]
3. Can I bring my partner and kids on the same application?
Each person needs their own visa, but families can use a shared bank statement and the same sponsor. For children, you may need extra documents like birth and marriage certificates.[4]
Make the process easy
If you want a clean, low‑stress Germany to Bali long stay visa 180 days process, it’s entirely doable: one set of documents in Germany, one solid Indonesian sponsor, and clear planning around your dates and budget.
My team and I have handled thousands of applications for German travelers over the past decade, from first‑timers on sabbatical to seasoned remote workers rotating between Berlin and Berawa. If you’d like the same level of hand‑holding, document review, and on‑the‑ground support for extensions in Bali, start with our concierge service or explore from our home page.
Ready to start your B211 / C1 application from Germany? Message us on WhatsApp now and get a personalised Bali visa plan within one business day.
Chat a visa specialist on WhatsApp →
General information, not legal advice; fees are agency estimates, not government fees. We confirm the latest rules for your case before you apply.