Indonesia
Onward ticket for Indonesia and Bali
Indonesia's visa on arrival and visa-exempt entries are granted on the understanding that you will leave within the permitted period, and Bali's airport is well known for airlines checking one-way passengers before boarding. A held reservation from Denpasar to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur is the usual answer.
01Why you're asked
Why proof of onward travel comes up.
- Airlines can be fined and made responsible for return transport if they carry a passenger who is refused entry, so check-in staff often ask for evidence you can leave the country before they let you board a one-way ticket.
- Visa-exempt and visa-on-arrival entries are granted on the basis that you will leave within the permitted stay. Immigration officers may ask how and when you intend to do so.
- Embassies and e-visa portals frequently request a flight itinerary while advising applicants not to buy non-refundable tickets before a decision is made.
02Practical notes
Travelling to Indonesia
- 01Indonesia's e-VoA portal asks for arrival details; some travellers are asked for a departure flight at the counter as well. Keep the reservation PDF accessible offline.
- 02The Bali arrival hall can be crowded in peak season. The reservation is for the airline and immigration questions, not a queue skip.
- 03Ferry departures to Singapore from Batam are common, but airlines generally want to see a flight rather than a ferry for onward proof.
Typical onward routes
- DPS → SINSingapore
- DPS → KULKuala Lumpur
- DPS → BKKBangkok
- DPS → PERPerth
- DPS → MNLManila
Find the best route for me searches these first and only offers flights the airline lets us hold.
03FAQ
Indonesia questions
01Is a reservation enough for the Indonesian visa on arrival?
The VoA is issued at the border; officers may ask for evidence of onward travel. A held reservation shows a dated departure. Whether it is accepted is the officer's decision.
Entry rules change. This page describes common practice, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with the official immigration authority or embassy for your nationality. Acceptance of any reservation is decided by the airline, border authority or embassy.
07 Next stop?
Get
FlyProof.
Entering Bali? About two minutes from here to a booking reference. You see the flight before you pay, and the reservation is created by the airline through our provider.