Baptism not necessary to be saved.
Let’s expand a little on John 3:5 -
3 Jesus replied, Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 How can anyone be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked him. Can he enter his mothers womb a second time and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Seems pretty obvious water and spirit refers to being born in the flesh and being born again in the spirit. Sure matches the context.