Leaders in Indonesia have announced plans to review the tourist visa on arrival policy and pre-investment and investment visa policies that have been regularly misused by foreigners who want to stay long-term on the island.
The Minister of Law and Human, Supratman Andi Agtas, has announced an investigation and review into the ways in which foreigners are misusing visas on arrival, pre-investment visas, and investment visas.
These three categories come with a strict set of rules as to what activities are and are not permitted.
As Bali battled against foreigners conducting illegal businesses, abusing the grey areas of digital nomadism, and holidaymakers breaking the law and engaging in antisocial behavior, visa crackdowns could be on the horizon.
In theory, there is nothing policy-wise stopping a foreigner who wishes to stay in Indonesia on a long-term basis using back-to-back visas on arrival.
Once the current 60-day tourist visa on arrival has expired, travelers can simply take a visa run to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok and return a few days later for a further 30-60 days.
Indeed, ‘living by visa-run’ has been the approach taken by many digital nomads and long-term travelers who earn a modest income online or who are living off savings.
However, leaders are now concerned that foreigners are not only abusing the visa-on-arrival system when more appropriate long-stay socio-cultural and digital nomad visas are now available, but that foreigners are also engaging in income-generating activities in Indonesia when they are only permitted to engage in tourism and social visits.
The pre-investment visa, which is typically valid for 12 months, is also believed to be being abused by an increasing number of foreigners.
The visa category appeals to many as it permits staying longer than the visa on arrival; however, it also only permits very specific activities, such as setting up investment opportunities, holding meetings, and market research.
It does not permit foreigners to engage in income-generating work, run businesses, or operate above Indonesian law.
Minister Agtas told reporters, “We have asked for supervision regarding the existence of foreign citizens whose immigration documents are problematic. On the one hand, we need investment. On the other hand, we hope for an investment that does not create something that actually harms our economy and Bali in particular.”
Minister Agtas used the example of a Romanian citizen who had been caught by the Singaraja Immigration Office working as a dive instructor on a visa on arrival.
The man, known by his initials BSS, was caught as part of the immigration crackdown operation known as Jagratara, whereby immigration conducted surprise spot checks on hundreds of foreigners over a two-day period.
BSS has subsequently been deported and is just one of dozens of foreigners who have been caught working illegally in Bali.
Immigration is acutely aware that there are likely hundreds more doing the same in one way or another.
Foreigners have been caught offering tour guiding services, photography services, yoga and wellness retreats, operating real estate agencies, and business consulting services without the correct visas or business permits in Indonesia.
Plans are already underway to review the visa-on-arrival policy in the context of its cost.
While immigration officials want to see the policy tightened or more strictly enforced to ensure it is used only by tourists, social visitors, and a specific set of business visitors, tourism leaders and business owners want to see the visa fee waived.
Before the pandemic, the 30-day visa on arrival was free for the majority of Bali’s most frequent international arrivals.
Now tourists from 97 countries must pay IDR 500,000 for their first 30-day day, and the visa is extendable by a further 30 days for a further fee.
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, told reporters last month that amendments to the visa-on-arrival policy could be implemented as early as October 2024.
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arthur
Sunday 15th of September 2024
one tourist visa each 6 moths will solve the problem
Rick
Saturday 14th of September 2024
Very simple solution for foreigners on 60 day tourist visas doing illegal tour guiding services, photography services, yoga and wellness retreats, operating real estate agencies, and business consulting services, travel bloggers etc
One 60 day tourist visa per year!
Exp
Monday 16th of September 2024
@Steve b, $1000 for a year? 1 year spouse KITAS w/MERP is 2.5 Juta. No need for agent, but expect 3 (or 4) trips to immigration.
Typ for KITAS; 1) Pick up forms and list of documents to be attached, 2) Hand over forms and documents, pay fee, 3) Come for fingerprinting and photo, 4) Pick up passport.
In Denpasar I fill in online booking for time slot but as this always fail, I take a snapshot that I bring as evidence for step 2). What a nuisance.
1) and 2) can be combined. Need to show up in person for 2) and 3).
Steve b
Sunday 15th of September 2024
@Rick, what if you are married with Balinese and have kids but don't want pay the scam fee over $1000 for a year
Alex
Friday 13th of September 2024
There are far better places to go to stay longer. With less restrictions and much less corruption. I was on Bali in 2023 for 4 months, and again in 2024. Most of the island is a complete mess, often filthy, the health service is non existent and the traffic is a nightmare. Never again.
Alex
Sunday 15th of September 2024
@Randy, I said twice in the last year. I've been on Bali more times than you, you self righteous prick. Visited on very long trips for 35 years. "Grievances " is the wrong word. But then, Randy sounds American, so you certainly aren't an expert on the use of English.
Randy
Saturday 14th of September 2024
@Alex, Your grievances don’t make any sense considering that you have been in Bali twice and stayed 4 months in 2023 and again in 2024. A traveler who has been in the country the first time around, and did not like it, the chances of returning won’t happen. Perhaps in 2025, you will return and post the same playbook. Never say never...
Shorty
Friday 13th of September 2024
Altering the type of or visa provisions won't stop or inhibit breaches
Randy
Friday 13th of September 2024
Indonesia is NOT alone whereas other countries are facing similar immigration problems. There is a need for this government to explain in details such as for example a visa that offer investment opportunities. A person on an investment opportunity visa in the country will generate some kind of an income. Isn’t investment is all about?? Who pays the tax from the earnings and who benefit from the investment profit and that is where it falls into a gray area.
Anyone who breaks the law with working illegally under the visa on arrival is an immediate deportation. It’s not rocket science to know the limitation of a visa on arrival that is for tourism, visit friends or relatives. Ignorance of the law is NO excuse.
Do your part to follow the law and behave appropriately in Indonesia like you would want others as well to enter your country of origin on good behavior. Same difference. If the economy in your country of origin is not doing well, Indonesia cannot provide you with a charitable contribution. What makes you think that by working illegally on a visa on arrival can actually solve your financial situation abroad.
Several Indonesians from all walks of life have said many times over that this government has shown a tolerant disposition toward foreigners.