Once you have been accepted to study in Bali, the visa question comes up pretty quickly. And if you have started Googling, you have probably run into a confusing mix of terms: eVOA, C9, E30. It is more than you need to know at this stage.
For Asia Exchange students, it really comes down to one thing: which university are you at? That tells you everything else.
Which visa is yours?
| University | Visa | Entry type | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmadewa University | C9 Short Course Visa | Single entry | 60 days, extendable twice |
| UNDIKNAS University | C9 Short Course Visa | Single entry | 60 days, extendable twice |
| Udayana University | E30 Student Visa | Multiple entry | Covers your entire stay |
Still not sure which applies to you? Your AE coordinator confirms it once your placement is set. That is the best person to ask!
The C9 – Warmadewa and UNDIKNAS students
The C9 Short Course Visa is a single-entry visa for non-degree academic programs. It is what both Warmadewa and UNDIKNAS students use for a semester in Bali.
Here is how it works in practice: you arrive, your 60-day period starts, and you extend it during your semester. Each extension adds another 60 days, and you can extend twice, giving you a maximum of 180 days total. A full semester fits comfortably within that. Importantly, you do not need to leave Indonesia to extend your visa. The process is handled locally by BBC while you are already in Bali.
The single-entry part is worth understanding clearly. If you leave Indonesia at any point during your stay, your visa is cancelled the moment you cross the border. To come back, you would need to apply for a brand new C9 before your return flight. It is doable, but it is extra time, extra cost, and extra admin you probably do not want mid-semester. Plan your travel with that in mind.
What it costs
The C9 for Warmadewa and UNDIKNAS students is handled by Bali Business Consulting (BBC), the official visa agent that both universities work with to make the process as smooth as possible for incoming students. The visa must go through BBC: you cannot apply independently through the government portal for this type of placement. Based on their published pricing:
| Service | Cost | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| C9 visa (includes agent fee, government fee, 60-day stay permit) | 3,500,000 IDR | 7–10 working days |
| Each 60-day extension (Bali address required) | 2,600,000 IDR | Handled by BBC in Bali |
Give yourself plenty of time. BBC recommends getting started at least 3 to 4 weeks before your program begins. Note that prices may change slightly. The figures above are based on BBC’s current published rates.
What to prepare
BBC’s confirmed document requirements for the C9 are:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
- Bank statement for the last 3 months showing a minimum balance of $2,000 USD, with your name, the period covered, and the balance clearly visible
- Proof of registration or acceptance from your host university
- A guarantor letter (your university or BBC will help with this)
- A recent color photo
- Your address in Bali
Planning more than one semester at Warmadewa or UNDIKNAS? The C9 covers a maximum of 180 days, which works for a single semester. If you are considering staying for two semesters or longer, reach out to the Asia Exchange team before you apply. There may be a more suitable visa option depending on your situation.
No embassy visit needed. The whole process runs through BBC online. You send your documents digitally, they handle the submission, and your e-visa confirmation arrives by email. One thing to know about extensions: each time you extend your C9, you will need to visit an immigration office near your place of residence in Bali for a quick photo appointment. If you extend twice, that means two short visits to immigration during your semester.
The E30 – Udayana students
If you are at Udayana, you will be on the E30 Student Visa. The most noticeable difference from the C9: it is multiple entry. You can travel in and out of Indonesia freely during your semester without your visa being affected. No reapplying, no border restrictions.
There is a practical reason Udayana switched from the C9 to the E30. When students there were still on the C9, quite a few forgot or missed their extension deadline mid-semester, which created real problems. The E30 removes that risk entirely: it covers your full duration of study from the start, with nothing to track or renew along the way. It is also the more practical option for students planning to stay for two semesters or more.
The E30 requires an Izin Belajar, a Study Permit from the Indonesian Ministry of Education. Udayana applies for this on your behalf, through their appointed agent, AOS. Your AE coordinator will send you the full checklist and timeline once your placement is confirmed. Follow that guidance, as requirements can change.
Your visa agents
Each university works with a specific appointed agent: Bali Business Consulting (BBC) for Warmadewa and UNDIKNAS students, and AOS through Udayana University directly for Udayana students. Your AE coordinator connects you with the right one once your placement is confirmed. There is no need to reach out independently before that. The process always starts through the university.
When you land at Ngurah Rai Airport
When you arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, you will see a counter for the eVOA, Indonesia’s tourist visa. A lot of students head there by habit. You do not need to. Your student visa is already arranged, and you just need to go to the main immigration desk.
Before you fly, your AE coordinator sends a pre-arrival briefing covering which documents to have ready, where to go in the airport, and what to say if immigration asks about your stay. Read it before you land. It makes the whole thing much less stressful than it sounds.
One practical tip: Indonesia requires all visitors to fill out an electronic arrival card before entering the country. You can do it up to 3 days before you arrive at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. Doing it before you land saves time at the airport and makes the whole entry process smoother.
One last thing: you don’t have to fly into Bali
Your visa is valid for entry at any official port of entry in Indonesia, not just Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. If you want to spend some time travelling before your semester starts, you can fly into a different Indonesian city first, or even enter by sea (from Singapore to Batam by ferry, for example). Just make sure your first entry into Indonesia is with the right visa in hand.
The visa process is one of those things that looks complicated from the outside and turns out to be very manageable once you are in it. Your coordinator guides you through every step, and both agents know exactly what they are doing. Your main job is to get your documents together and apply in good time.
Ready to start your Bali semester? Explore Asia Exchange programs at Warmadewa, UNDIKNAS, and Udayana!
