Tourists from 23 countries can now enter Bali on a special visa: Here's how

These countries include Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. While the Visa on Arrival (VOA) applies for entry at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, holders may exit the country via other checkpoints.

Effective Monday (7 March 2022), tourists from 23 destinations around the world can now enter Indonesia's Bali via a Special Tourism Visa on Arrival (VOA) arrangement.

These are namely:

1. Australia
2. Brunei Darussalam
3. Cambodia
4. Canada
5. England
6. France
7. Germany
8. Italy
9. Japan
10. Laos
11. Malaysia
12. Myanmar
13. New Zealand
14. Qatar
15. Singapore
16. South Korea
17. Thailand
18. The Netherlands
19. The Philippines
20. Turkey
21. United Arab Emirates
22. US
23. Vietnam

Announcing this, the Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said the Special Tourism VOA can only be obtained by foreigners if they are entering Indonesia through the immigration checkpoint at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali.

However, holders of this visa will be allowed to leave Indonesia through other checkpoints apart from Bali. 

The following requirements apply for entry via the Special Tourism VOA, to be presented at the immigration counter:

1. A passport that is valid for at least six months,
2. A return ticket or a transit ticket to continue travelling to another country, and
3. Other relevant documents required by the COVID-19 taskforce, including RT-PCR test results, COVID-19 vaccination certificates, and proof of accommodation/hotel payments.

A non-tax revenue (PNBP) tariff of IDR500,000 will apply.

"Stay Permits originating from VOA Special Tours are Visit Stay Permits (ITK), which are granted for a maximum period of 30 days and can be extended for a maximum of one time. The extension of the ITK is given for a period of 30 days and is carried out at the immigration office according to the area where the foreigner lives while in Indonesia. A Visit Stay Permit from Special Tourism VOA cannot be transferred," said Achmad Nur Saleh, Sub-Coordinator of Public Relations of the Directorate General of Immigration.

He added that foreigners who do not use Special Tourism VOA in accordance with the intent and purpose of providing the relevant facilities will be subject to immigration sanctions. Likewise, if they are proven to have violated health protocols and have disrupted public order, they will be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

With the above in mind, the Directorate General of Immigration has detailed an explanation on what this VOA entails, and how it is different from the existing Tourist Visit Visa.

• While the ITK for foreign tourists holding the VOA is valid for 30 days and can be extended once, the Tourist Visit Visa can be granted for a period of stay of 60 days. This Tourist Visit Visa can be extended to an ITK up to four times, and in other words, allows stay in Indonesia for up to 180 days.
• Additionally, an ITK originating from a VOA cannot be transferred, while the ITK from a Tourist Visit Visa can be converted into a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS).
• Tourists can apply for a VOA without the need for a guarantor/sponsor.
• While tourists on VOA only need to present the documentation stated above, those on a Tourist Visit Visa must prepare more documentation, including an application letter and guarantee, proof of ownership of funds (savings) worth USD2,000, colour photo, and health insurance/travel insurance.
  • Further information on submitting photos – such as size specifications, photo quality requirements, and more – can be found here. 
• Achmad also shared that travellers on the Tourist Visit Visa must also include a statement that they are willing to comply with Indonesia's health protocols, along with proof of payment for travel/hotel services. The guarantor appointed must be a travel agency or hotel located in Indonesia.

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Image / 123RF

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