Bali and Indonesia as a whole is a beautiful destination that is also welcoming to tourists. Travelling to Bali is a simple and straightforward process thanks to the Indonesian government's tourist-friendly policies and visa-free entry provided to citizens of numerous countries. In fact, for most travellers visiting Bali on a short vacation, you just need a valid passport to enter. If you want to know more about the immigration requirements and types of Indonesian visas for your Bali trip, keep on reading.
Before You Come to Bali
There are a few things you need to prepare before you can enter Bali. Firstly, you need to have a passport that is valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Indonesia, and it needs to have at least one completely blank page. Next, you need proof of a return flight or another flight out of Indonesia.
You should also know what items you are prohibited from bringing into Bali, including weapons, drugs, and fresh fruit. If you plan to bring your surfboard to Bali, it's worth noting that you may be charged if you bring in more than two or three boards.
Types of Visas
For a majority of tourists, your vacation to Bali will be visa-free. This means you won't need to apply for any visa before your trip or on arrival to Bali. Below are some information about the various visas available to tourists in Bali.
1. Visa-Free Entry
Travellers from most countries are entitled to a visa exemption when they enter Bali, and the rest of Indonesia. There are 169 countries included in the Visa-Free Country List including Singapore and other Asean countries. With this entry, you can stay in Bali for 30 days without a visa. However, the visa cannot be extended. If you plan to stay in Bali for over 30 days, there are other visas you can apply for.
It's also worth noting that the visa-free entry is counted per day, and not per night. That means your first day in Indonesia is considered a full day even if you enter Indonesia at night. The same also applies for your departure.
2. Visa on Arrival
You can also apply for a visa on arrival in Bali if your country is one of the 68 countries on the list. This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days for one more time, making it a good option if you plan to stay longer in Bali or if you want to travel to other parts of Indonesia. When extending your visa at the immigration office, you have to bring your passport, a photocopy of your passport and a copy of your departure ticket from Indonesia. There are a number of immigration offices in Bali including in Jimbaran and Denpasar.
3. Multiple Visit Visa
If you travel frequently to Bali or other parts of Indonesia, you can apply for a multiple visit visa. This visa is valid for one year, and allows you to stay up to 60 days per visit. However, it cannot be extended. To apply for this visa, you need to submit a number of documents including a guarantee letter from a family member, institution, or employer.
4. Social Visa
To stay longer in Bali, you can apply for a social visa. With this visa, you can stay in Bali up to three months, and it is extendable by 30 days for at a time up to a maximum of six months in total. To apply for it, you'll need a sponsor letter from an Indonesian citizen or institution in Indonesia.
As you have read, getting a visa for your Bali trip is quite an easy process. If your country is not in the visa-free countries list, you can still apply for a visa on arrival in Bali. So get started and plan your dream vacation in Bali. Hope to see you soon at Club Med!
