Do You Need a Visa for Lombok? Entry Guide (2026)

Indonesia's visa system for tourists is straightforward once you understand the three main categories: visa-free entry, Visa on Arrival (VOA), and pre-arranged visas. The vast majority of tourists visiting Lombok will use the VOA option, which is simple, quick, and available directly at the airport.

Lombok International Airport (LOP), located in Praya in central Lombok, is a modern international airport that handles the visa process efficiently. Whether you are flying directly from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or connecting through Jakarta or Bali, the entry process is the same.

The VOA is available to citizens of over 90 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, most EU nations, Japan, South Korea, China, India, and many others. It grants 30 days from the date of entry.

Cost: 500,000 IDR (approximately $32 USD). Payment accepted in IDR, USD, or by credit/debit card at the airport counter.

Process at Lombok Airport:

1. After exiting the aircraft, follow signs to the VOA counter (before the immigration booths)

2. Present your passport and payment

3. Receive a VOA sticker in your passport

4. Proceed to immigration for entry stamp

5. Collect your baggage and pass through customs

The entire process from aircraft door to airport exit typically takes 30-60 minutes, depending on how many international flights arrive simultaneously.

e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival): Indonesia now offers an electronic VOA that you can apply for online before your trip at molina.imigrasi.go.id. The cost is the same (500,000 IDR, payable by international credit card), but it saves time at the airport because you skip the VOA counter and go directly to immigration. Apply at least 48 hours before travel. The e-VOA is linked to your passport number — print a copy as backup.

ASEAN citizens (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) can enter Indonesia visa-free for stays up to 30 days. This visa-free entry cannot be extended — if you want to stay longer, you should obtain a VOA instead, even if you are eligible for visa-free entry.

A small number of other countries have bilateral agreements for visa-free entry. However, this list changes periodically, so check the official Indonesian immigration website before traveling.

If 30 days is not enough, the VOA can be extended once for an additional 30 days. This process is handled at the immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) in Mataram.

Extension process:

1. Visit the Mataram immigration office at least 7 working days before your visa expires

2. Bring your passport, a photocopy of your passport bio page and current visa, a passport photo (4x6cm, red background), and your accommodation address in Lombok

3. Pay the extension fee of 500,000 IDR

4. The process takes 3-5 working days — you may need to visit twice (once to submit, once to collect)

5. Your passport stays with immigration during processing

Important: You cannot extend a visa-free entry. Only VOA holders can extend. If you entered visa-free and want to stay beyond 30 days, you must leave the country (a "visa run" to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Timor-Leste is common) and re-enter with a new VOA.

Many travelers use visa agents to handle the extension process, which costs 800,000-1,200,000 IDR including the agent fee but saves multiple trips to the immigration office. Your accommodation can usually recommend a reliable agent.

For stays exceeding 60 days, you need a B211A visa. This is a single-entry visa that grants 60 days, extendable up to four times (30 days each extension) for a maximum of 180 days.

The B211A requires a sponsor — either an Indonesian citizen, a registered business, or a visa agency. It can be arranged through Indonesian embassies/consulates abroad or through online visa agents. The cost varies: embassy applications are around $50 USD plus the sponsor fee, while agent-arranged visas typically cost $200-350 USD all-inclusive.

This visa is popular with digital nomads, long-term travelers, and those doing volunteer work. It is not a work visa — you cannot be legally employed in Indonesia on a B211A.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Indonesia. This is strictly enforced — airlines will deny boarding if your passport does not meet this requirement, and immigration will refuse entry.

Your passport must also have at least two blank pages for the visa sticker and entry/exit stamps. If your passport is nearly full, get a new one before traveling.

All arriving passengers must complete a customs declaration. Indonesia has transitioned to a digital system called e-CD (Electronic Customs Declaration), available as a mobile app. You can complete this before arrival, which speeds up the customs process.

Key items to declare: if you are carrying more than $10,000 USD (or equivalent) in cash, you must declare it. Prohibited items include narcotics (Indonesia has extremely severe drug penalties, including the death penalty), pornographic material, certain food items, and weapons. Alcohol is limited to 1 liter per person duty-free.

If you are already in Indonesia and flying or taking a boat from Bali to Lombok, no additional visa process is required. This is a domestic journey within Indonesia. Your original visa (VOA, visa-free, or B211A) continues to apply with the same expiration date. You will not pass through immigration again — only domestic arrivals and baggage claim.

Overstaying your visa carries a fine of 1,000,000 IDR ($65 USD) per day, up to a maximum of 60 days. Beyond 60 days overstay, you face detention, deportation, and a potential entry ban. Do not overstay even by one day — set calendar reminders.

Assuming visa-free means unlimited. Visa-free entry is strictly 30 days, non-extendable. If there is any chance you might want to stay longer, pay for the VOA instead.

Not checking passport validity. The six-month rule catches travelers off guard regularly. Check your passport expiration date before booking flights.

Working on a tourist visa. Remote work in a gray area — Indonesia technically requires a work visa for any paid work, but enforcement against digital nomads working quietly from their laptop is effectively nonexistent. However, physically working for an Indonesian employer, teaching, or conducting business meetings on a tourist visa is illegal and can result in deportation.

While most tourists enter Lombok via the airport, you can also enter through Lembar Port (the main ferry port) or through the Gili Islands if arriving by fast boat from Bali. If you are arriving by fast boat from Bali and already have a valid Indonesian visa, no additional processing is needed. If arriving internationally by sea, VOA services may not be available at all ports — confirm with your boat operator in advance.

For most travelers, the visa process for Lombok is simple: get a VOA at the airport (or pre-arrange an e-VOA online) for 500,000 IDR, enjoy 30 days, and extend if needed. Have a passport valid for 6+ months, bring proof of onward travel, and complete the e-CD customs declaration on your phone before landing. The entire process is routine, well-organized, and nothing to stress about.