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Bali is one of the favourite travel destinations for Australians of all ages and tastes.
But how straightforward is it to arrange a travel visa to this Indonesian hotspot?
Do you need a visa for Bali if you are Australian?
According to Travel Insurance Direct Australia, the Indonesian government allows Australians to visit Bali visa-free for short visits.
Australians must apply for a visitor visa on arrival if their planned stay is longer than 30 days.
The Indonesian immigration authorities ratified the free visa in 2016 after years of backflips, finally adding Australia to a list of 169 world nations with visa exemptions.
Previously, Australian travellers to Bali were forced to pay a flat fee of $50 AUD on arrival.
It is worth noting that the visa free and visa on arrival facility is not available to overseas visitors arriving to Indonesia through the land border between East Timor (Timor Leste) and Indonesian West Timor, or from Indonesian West Papua.
Australians travelling to Bali or indeed anywhere in Indonesia should ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of intended return to Australia.
Who needs a visa on arrival in Bali?
According to Bali.com, the visa on arrival for Bali has been the main entry visa tourists have used for decades.
The visa on arrival is different to the 2016 Free Visa Facility which allows individuals from 169 countries to enter Indonesia free of charge for tourist purposes for under 30 days.
Travellers opt for the visa on arrival as opposed to the free 30 day visa if they wish to extend their time. The free Bali travel visa cannot be extended or changed in any shape of form.
Not all countries are eligible for a visa on arrival. Some of the major states who can avail of this Bali visa option include Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US.
Signboards with a full list of countries are present at all Indonesian airports.
How much does a Bali visa cost?
The visa-free short stay for under 30 day trips is free of charge.
It is important for travellers to calculate their stay correctly to avoid incurring fees. Remember – the visa-free stay is 30 days, not one month.
Arrival and departure days count as one full day each. Overstaying your free travel visa could result in penalty fees of 300,000 Indonesian rupiah per day – the equivalent of of roughly $30 AUD daily.
If you wish to extend your free visa you must either apply for an extension visa through an Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia, or pay $50 AUD on arrival for a 30 day visa which can be extended inside Indonesia for another 30 days once this fee is paid.
What are the Bali visa requirements?
The main criteria which determine what you need for a Bali visa are your nationality, the purpose of your stay (e.g. social, tourism or work) and the intended length of your stay.
How do you arrange a Bali visa?
If you wish to go on holiday to Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia for less than 30 days, you are eligible for a visa exemption. You don’t need to prepare any documentation.
If your intention is to travel the region for between 30 and 60 days, Australians qualify for a visa on arrival arrangement which can be purchased at Bali airport for $50 AUD.
Australians can also apply for a 60 day B-211 tourist/social visa in an Indonesian Embassy from overseas before arriving in the country.
For nations who do not qualify for visa on arrival, a B-211 visa must be arranged in advance.
When do you need to consider a work visa or extended travelling visa?
If you require more than 60 days in Indonesia or wish to consider a working visa, consult with Bali immigration services or a professional visa agent to assess your eligibility for Multiple Visa Entry or Social Visa Extension.
