Bali Foreigner Visa
Bali Foreigner Visa
The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has launched an investigation into ‘problematic’ foreign investment companies that are sponsoring hundreds of visas for foreigners in the country, many of whom are in Bali.
The investigation comes as Indonesia’s Immigration teams look to crack down on visa violations and close loopholes in the law.
During a press conference held at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, the Head of the Directorate General of Immigration Public Relations Team, Achmad Nur Salehm explained the results of the first wave of the investigation.
He and his teams followed up on a number of Foreign Investment Companies (PMA) who had had their Business Parent Number (NIB) revoked by the Investment and Downstreaming-Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) on 1st November 2024.
He explained “In the Bali region on Operation Wira Waspada in January 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration inspected 267 PMA companies whose NIB had been revoked. From that number, it is known that as many as 74 PMAs in Bali are still active as guarantors of 126 foreigners.”
Through this phase of Operation Wira Waspada, Salehm and his teams secured 186 foreigners sponsored by 86 problematic PMAs.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
He revealed “Immigration surveillance in the same period was also carried out on 208 foreigners sponsored by 43 companies that were suspected of being fictitious. Currently, 48 of them have been deported.”
He noted that the foreigners in question were from Australia, China, Russia, India, and Pakistan, who were mostly being sponsored through PMAs in the trade or consulting sector.
Salehm concluded “Based on the results of the examination and deepening of foreigners, we have carried out immigration administrative actions in the form of deportation and deterration. There are some that are still being checked.”
Indonesia Immigration is on a mission to crack down on foreigners conducting illegal activities in Bali, including breaking the conditions of their visas.
Over the last six months, Indonesian Immigration has focused on identifying individuals who are believed to be working on tourist visas, engaging in business activities on social-cultural visas, those who are misusing the pre-investment and investment visa categories, and now foreigners who are obtaining residency permits based on ‘problematic’ Foreign Investment Companies.
Earlier this month Bali’s Denpasar Immigration Office confirmed the deportation of six foreigners found to be abusing the tourist visa on arrival.
It is very clear that the eVoA and VoA only permit foreigners to engage in social visits and tourism activities and to attend some business events. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended one time only, for a further 30 days.
The visa costs IDR 500,000 and is available for tourists from over 90 countries. What the visa does not allow foreigners to do is engage in any income-generating work, or business activities while in the country.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
For example, foreigners in Bali on a visa on arrival cannot be tour guides, retreat hosts, photographers, drivers, fitness coaches, or yoga teachers.
Officials from the Denpasar Immigration Office confirmed that the six men were all from the UK, Canada, Ghana, and India and were detained on individual and unconnected charges.
All six have now been deported and Immigration teams across Bali remain committed to identifying and bringing to justice foreigners who are found to have been breaking immigration law, or engaging in criminal activity. Criminal activity including hiking Bali’s sacred peaks without a guide.
Immigration teams are focused on Just this week the Head of Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan, confirmed the arrest and deportation of a 41-year-old Norwegian man who was caught hiking Mount Agung without a guide. This is the second such deportation in just as many months.
Setiawan shared “The foreign citizen was secured by the Singaraja Immigration enforcement officers based on a report from the local authorities.”
Adding “After receiving the report, we immediately sent a team to the location and secured the foreigner concerned for further questioning at the office.”
He concluded, “The person concerned will be subject to administrative immigration action in the form of deportation and deterrence.”
Immigration Highlights Ease Of Visa Extension Process
Long-returning tourists to Bali will recall that once upon a time if you wanted to extend your visa on arrival, you would have to make a trip to an immigration office no less than three times—if you completed the process without a visa agent.
The process was often seen as arduous and time-consuming, but now, it is easier than ever to extend the 30-day visa on arrival, and Indonesia Immigration has issued some updates on how to complete the process.
There are two options for tourists to obtain their 30-day visa on arrival. The first is the classic option, to apply for the visa on arrival actually on arrival.
The process requires tourists to first visit the payment desk at the international arrival hall of Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and pay the IDR 500,000 fee.
The next step is to head over to the immigration counter with the proof of payment, passport, and other travel documents, present them to the immigration official, and enter the Island of the Gods.
The second option is to apply for the visa ahead of time upon arrival. This is known as the eVisa on Arrival or eVoA. The process is super simple and can be completed online.
Travelers must head to the official Indonesian eVisa website and follow the steps on the screen. The eVisa on Arrival can be applied for up to 48 hours before travel, though leaving 5 days is advisable.
Once the eVisa on Arrival is granted, it is valid for 90 days. The 30-day stay period begins once the traveler is stamped into Indonesia.
The eVoA also costs IDR 500,000 and unlike the standard Visa on Arrival, enables tourists to enter and depart Indonesia using the immigration autogates available at I Gusti Ngurah Rai and Soekarno-Hatta International in Jakarta.
It is at the point of the visa extension that the process now merges. For tourists who wish to extend their VoA or their eVoA, the process can be completed entirely online via the official Indonesia eVisa website. The process is super simple. Once at the Indonesia eVisa website, click ‘Extend My Visa.”
Then input the passport number, nationality, and date of birth of the traveler making the extension application. Next, click ‘detail’ to view the personal information of the application.
The next steps are super simple too, fill out the form with all the correct details and proceed to payment. The extension costs an additional IDR 500,000 and can be paid via all major credit and debit cards.
Once submitted, an immigration officer will review the application and your visa extension will be issued within 3-5 days. It is highly advisable to process the visa extension application as soon as possible after landing in Bali.
Tourists are advised not to leave the extension process to the last minute, since overstaying is a criminal offence. The visa extension must be applied for before the current visa expires.
Indonesia Immigration advises tourists to make the visa extension application at least 7 working days before their current 30-day period is due to expire. They also suggest simple tips like putting an event in your calendar so that the risk of forgetting is reduced.
Indonesia Immigration offers plenty of helpful tips and travel advice through its Instagram account. The English language Indonesia Immigration account can be found at @IndonesiaImmigration and full support can be found at the eVisa website.
Earlier this month Indonesia Immigration issued a full guide to tourists to help travelers avoid common mistakes during their application process. Indonesia Immigration noted that one of the most common mistakes is applications containing incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent information.
Paying close attention to passport details such as the date of issue and the date of expiry, and the spelling of names and email addresses is essential.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
Bali Reveals Plans To Tackle Rising Crime In Tourist Hotspot
This week Bali welcomes back Wayan Koster for his second term as provincial governor.
As part of his first week back in his post, Governor Koster has been talking to the media about his plans for the next five years. One big topic of conversation has been that of tackling crime on the popular vacation island.
Speaking to reporters Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that he plans to give more authoritative power to Traditional Villages in Bali, to help empower local communities to prevent and tackle crime.
Known as the Customary Village Based Environmental Security System, or in Balinese the Sipandu Beradat, Governor Koster wants to strengthen the role this network plays, starting in Denpasar City.
Governor Koster referenced several recent high-profile criminal cases in the provincial capital, including crimes resulting in fatalities.
He told reporters “Denpasar must strengthen the implementation of the integrated environmental security system based on the traditional villages, to reactivate the environmental security system, integrated with Sipandu Beradat to improve security in the Denpasar area considering that there has been an increase in crimes that have claimed the lives of Denpasar residents.”
He added, “To maintain order, security, and comfort for the people of Denpasar and various actions that damage Balinese cultural values and violate the law, we together with the security forces ensure that we will take strong and firm action.”
The rising crime rates across Bali have become a hot topic of conversation within local Balinese communities and the international community on the island of late. Reports of assaults on female tourists and ex-pats have been publicly documented by online citizen journalism groups such as the Canggu Community.
Reports of theft and aggravated robberies have also hit headlines in recent months, as well as reports of brawls between beach club security teams and tourists.
Governor Koster is as clear as ever that he wants to see traditional Balinese values adhered to across Bali, whether that be within the daily life of local communities, within the crime and justice sector, or within tourism spaces.
He told reporters “The success of the first momentum of development in the next five years will be the foundation that determines the success and sustainability of civilization and the future of the next generation of Bali for the next 100 years and even throughout time.”
In light of recent reports of robberies targeted at tourists in top resorts such as Kuta, police in Bali have issued updated safety advice.
Chief of Police of Kuta, AKP Agus Riwayanto Diputra last week confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old Balinese man in connection with an aggravated robbery of an Indian tourist back in January. The robbery took place on Tegal Wangi Street, and the man in question approached the tourist while she was walking along the sidewalk around 9 pm at night.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
AKP Dipurta told reporters “The suspect forcibly pulled a gold necklace containing a 22-carat pendant weighing 6 grams worth AUD 360, which was worn by the victim until it broke off.”
The police chief warned tourists to be extra mindful of the belongings they take with them when walking in Bali’s top resort areas where opportunistic thieves are known to operate. He warned, “Tourists are urged to be careful, do not give the perpetrator a chance.”
The issue of crime and violence in Bali’s top tourism resorts has been addressed by top Indonesian Ministers.
Speaking to reporters about the brawl that took place between security officers and tourists outside Finns Beach Club in Canggu, Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa, issued her full support for Bali Police, and pledged to ensure stricter law enforcement across the board, to help protect Bali residents and tourists against violent crime.
She told reporters “This [kind of behavior] has entered the criminal realm, of course, we support the police including the local government, of course, the steps of law enforcement need to be strengthened again.”
The Minister confirmed that she and her teams are reviewing dozens of policies to assess where amendments must be made to improve public safety.
Daily Tourism Tax Could Be Introduced In Bali
In a bid to attract more ‘high-quality tourists’, leaders in Bali are seriously considering introducing a daily tourism tax for all foreign visitors.
Leaders in Bali have long idolized the tightly controlled tourism model of Bhutan, where international tourists must pay USD 100 per day as part of the Sustainable Development Fee.
From Indonesia’s ex-tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno to Bali’s most famous senator Ni Luh Djelantik, leaders in the country have long held Bhutan’s tourism model in high regard.
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has implemented a highly organized and tightly structured tourism model that has been designed to promote the country’s national interests of preserving culture and the natural landscape while sharing its unique heritage with a small and highly invested demographic of travelers.
Bhutan’s tourism model requires visitors to apply for a visa in advance of travel, and while the visa allows stays of up to 90 days and costs USD 40, adult travelers must contribute an additional USD 100 per day in Sustainable Development Fees.
At the time of application, tourists must confirm their arrival and departure dates, confirm their itinerary and travel plans for the duration of their trip, which in almost all cases is delivered by a guided tour provider. They must also ignore the Pledge of Friendship, and in doing so visitors commit to protecting, preserving and positively contributing to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
In the event of a change of plans and tourists leave the county earlier than expected, their Sustainable Development Fee for the days their trip was reduced is refunded; tourists are also permitted to extend their stays after arrival, for the same USD 100 per day fee plus Bhutan is also very clear in how, where and why it utilizes the funds generated by tourists through the Sustainable Development Fee.
Bhutan explains “The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, through free healthcare, education and training, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural preservation programs and initiatives that support local businesses and economies.”
The Bhutan model of tourism is heralded by many around the world as the way in which truly sustainable tourism should be implemented, but many feel that Bali is a long way from attaining such a system. A year ago this month Bali introduced its Tourism Tax Levy, an IDR 150,000 mandatory fee for all international tourists.
Over the last 12 months it’s been revealed that due to poor enforcement and communication around the policy, less than 40% of all international arrivals paid the fee. In January 2025 the Indonesian Ombudsman confirmed that it would be investigating allegations of mismanagement within the tourism sector, specifically focusing on the Bali Tourism Tax Levy.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
The Head of Bali Marginal Tourism Alliance, Puspa Negara, has spoken to reporters conveying his support for the introduction of the Bhutan style tourism model, including a daily tourism tax.
He called for more policies that help increase the overall quality of Bali’s tourism offering.
Back in 2023, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster sparked a fierce debate amongst the travel industry after he proposed that the province introduce a tourism quota to help control the number of international visitors allowed into the region annually.
The quota, which was proposed to sit in the millions of tourists, was never formally written into policy. Though, as Governor Koster this week embarks on his second term in office, many new police updates, ideas, and solutions to long-standing issues are to be expected.
For now, it remains the case that tourists traveling to Bali must pay their IDR 150,000 Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee before they depart from the island. The fee can be paid on arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, or online at the LoveBali website, or on the LoveBali app.
Upon completing the payment tourists are issued with a QR-code voucher that they must keep close by during their visit to the island in case they are asked to present proof of payment to tourism officers.
Fresh Plans To Upgrade Bali’s Transport System
As Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, embarks on his second term as provincial leader, he has been speaking to the media about his vision for the next five years.
As expected, some of his biggest announcements relate to public transport and Bali’s struggling road network, issues that frequent Bali tourists are all too familiar with.
Governor Koster has announced plans to build a series of new roads within Denpasar City that will help reduce traffic congestion in the city center and in the surrounding tourism resorts.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday 27th February, Koster confirmed that he and his teams will continue to take the issue of traffic congestion in Bali seriously.
He wants to invest in a series of infrastructural development projects that will support the smooth flow of movement throughout the island for local communities and tourists.
The new roads the Koster-Prasta Provincial government is set to develop include the construction of a new road connecting Sunset Road to Mahendradata, in addition to West Gatot Subroto Road towards Canggu, which is a project that leaders in Bali have been issuing updates on regularly over the last couple of months.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
Koster is also set to oversee the development of the new Ahmad Yani Underpass and the Tohpati Underpass-Akasia Intersection towards Padanggalak Intersection.
Work on the West Gatot Subroto Road, also known as the new West Gatsu Street will start, tentatively, in 2025 with a feasibility study.
This was confirmed by the Acting Regional Secretary of Badung, Ida Bagus Surya Suamba in January 2025. He revealed “We target the land acquisition process to be carried out in 2026. So that a year later, in 2027, hopefully, the physical construction of the road can be carried out.”
A new major car parking area will be developed in the resort of Sanur and from it there will be a series of shuttle bus services directly to Sanur Port, to help reduce traffic congestion for tourists traveling from Sanur Port towards destinations like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
The Bali Provincial Government will be working with the Denpasar City Government and the Badung Regency Government to invest IDR 5 trillion into these developments over the next five years.
Koster told reporters, “The development of road infrastructure connecting cities and districts in Bali will be the main solution to solving traffic congestion problems.”
Koster has also promised to bring Bali’s Trans Metro Dewata public bus service. Due to restrictions in funding from both the central and provincial governments, Bali’s biggest public bus service was forced to cease operations on 1st January 2025.
While the bus service had faced criticisms for its routing options, the service provided a vital affordable means of transport for thousands of students and commuters across the central south of Bali.
The bus service, though not widely used by tourists, was a lifeline for many local Balinese residents. As Made Sutama told reporters on Thursday “We really hope that Trans Metro Dewata will operate again soon. This is very helpful for the community, especially those who do not have private vehicles.”
Though available for tourists, most did not utilize the Trans Dewata Bus service, simply because access to private transport such as online taxis, and private drivers, as well as renting vehicles to self-drive around the island, are all deemed to be worth the cost for the comparative convenience.
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
Koster told reporters on Thursday, ”We will meet with the Mayor of Denpasar, the Regents of Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan. The Trans Metro Dewata bus will be reactivated.”
He noted that he was aware of the increased traffic congestion that was triggered by the bus services being halted. Koster shared “The existence of public transportation is an effective solution to overcome traffic congestion, especially in Denpasar and Badung.”
Badung Regency is home to Bali’s biggest tourist resorts including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
Governor Koster revealed that he is committed to developing public transport options for local communities and tourists, whether that be by land, sea, or air.
He shared “We will improve road infrastructure connecting cities/regencies throughout Bali, accelerate the use of battery-based electric motor vehicles, and solve traffic congestion problems.”
Main Article: Bali Foreigner Visa
Looking for a nice North Bali Property to purchase?
Contact Us for more Information on North Bali Properties
