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Insurance in Bali: what is actually mandatory

Insurance is not required to obtain an Indonesian visa: it does not appear in the official document lists for the e-VOA, C1 or C6. What is mandatory is something else — membership of the BPJS system for foreigners working or living in the country for at least six months. A tourist needs no policy on paper, but healthcare here is private and motorbikes are the leading cause of claims.

Updated: 25 August 2026 · Verified by the Malina Visa team

Is insurance required for a visa

The short answer: it does not appear in the official document lists. We checked the immigration requirements across several visa types — insurance is not listed for the e-VOA, the C1, the C6, or in the rules for extending a stay permit.

✓e-VOA — passport valid 6+ months, a scan, a photo, a return ticket, an address
✓C6 — passport, sponsor's letter, three months of bank statements, a photo, a host letter
✓Stay permit extension — passport, sponsor's guarantee letter, statement of purpose

So not having a policy will not stop you getting a visa or entering. That does not mean you should go without — it is simply not immigration that requires it, but common sense and your own budget.

Who must join BPJS

BPJS is Indonesia's state social insurance system. For some foreigners joining it is not optional.

✓BPJS Kesehatan (health) — foreigners working or living in Indonesia for at least six months are required to register as members; for employees the registration goes through the employer
✓BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (employment, covering accidents and old age) — mandatory for foreign workers employed in Indonesia for at least six months

The practical read: if you are here on a work KITAS employed by an Indonesian company, your employer handles it. If you hold an E33G or an investor status, the arrangement differs — check it against your own situation.

Why a tourist still needs cover

Healthcare in Bali is private for foreigners and not cheap. The international clinics in Kuta, Denpasar and Nusa Dua charge expat rates, and settlement happens on the spot.

!Motorbikes. The single most common reason people end up in a clinic. Many policies exclude riding a motorbike without the matching licence category — read the exclusions before you buy
!Diving and surfing. Active sports are almost always a separate add-on
!Evacuation. Medical repatriation is the most expensive line of all, and the one most often missing from a basic policy

Check three things in your policy: whether it covers riding a motorbike, whether evacuation is included, and the sum insured. Everything else is secondary.

What we do and do not do

We are a visa agency, not an insurance broker: we do not sell policies and do not recommend particular insurers — that is neither our remit nor our expertise.

✓We tell you whether insurance is required for your visa type, from the official document list
✓We flag whether you fall under mandatory BPJS given your length of stay and status
✓We assemble the visa file so that nothing in it raises questions

Choosing the insurer and the terms is yours to do — and reading the exclusions carefully matters more than anyone's recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need insurance for a Bali visa?

Insurance is not listed in the official document requirements for the e-VOA, C1 or C6, nor in the rules for extending a stay permit. No policy is needed to obtain a visa.

Is BPJS mandatory for foreigners?

Yes, for those working or living in Indonesia for at least six months. BPJS Kesehatan is arranged through the employer for employees; BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is mandatory for foreign workers.

Does ordinary travel insurance cover riding a motorbike?

Often not. Many policies exclude motorbike riding or require the matching licence category. Check the exclusions before you buy, not after you come off the bike.

How much does treatment in Bali cost without insurance?

International clinics charge foreigner rates and settle on the spot. The amount depends on the clinic and the case — which is exactly why a policy with a sensible sum insured is worth having.

Does BPJS help a tourist?

No. BPJS is designed for people living and working in the country for six months or more. For a short trip only ordinary travel insurance applies.

We will assemble the visa file without the extras

We tell you what is genuinely required for your visa type and will not make you collect what is not.

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