Bali Immigration Highlights How To Avoid Common Mistakes Tourists Make On Visa Applications

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Immigration Indonesia has just released a series of new hints and tips to help foreigners ensure that their visa applications do not get denied due to avoidable mistakes.

As Indonesia has moved its visa application process online, it is easier than ever for foreigners to make their own applications without the assistance of a visa agent, but this also means that the margin for error is higher. 

Immigration Indonesia have published a ‘101 Visa Application Tips’ a guide on how to ensure approval on the first try.

The department shared on a social media post “Getting a visa rejected can be frustrating, but it’s often avoidable! From missing documents to financial proof issues, here’s what you need to know to increase your chances of approval.”

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The first step is to make sure that you’re using the official Indonesian e-visa website. There is only one! Though there are dozens of sites out there that have been designed to look similar and rank higher on search engines.

The official website is www.evisa.imigrasi.go.id – when first launched the website was a little glitchy, but it is now far more reliable and consistent.

However, if users experience difficulty loading pages it is best to disable any VPNs or ad-blocking software. The site also functions best on a desktop, though a mobile version is available. 

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A post shared by Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi (@ditjen_imigrasi)

Indonesian Immigration has outlined the most common reasons for visa rejection, and these reasons cover all visa categories from the eVisa on Arrival through to the Golden Visa.

The first and most common reason is incomplete documents, Indonesian Immigration explained that missing or incorrect paperwork means that officials have no option but to deny the application, applicants are also urged to double-check all requirements for their specific visa category. 

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The second most common reason for visa application rejections is errors in filing out forms. Indonesia Immigration note, “Forms that contain incorrect or inconsistent information may result in rejection.”

This includes everything from typos in names, errors in passport numbers and emails, and errors or inconsistencies in filling in passport details such as the date of issue and the date of expiry. 

Insufficient financial proof is another top reason for applications being rejected. Though this does not apply to the visa on Arrival, showing proof of sufficient funds to support the applicant during their time in Indonesia is a crucial element of many of the longer-term visas. 

While it may seem obvious, one of the top reasons for rejection by Indonesian Immigration is a bad travel history. The department noted that a “history of previous immigration violations such as overstaying or deportation” can result in a black mark against an applicant’s name and, therefore, the rejection of a visa. 

For those making visa applications for visa categories other than the eVisa on Arrival, an unclear purpose of the visit can be a reason for officials to reject an application. It should be noted that even for the eVisa on Arrival, Indonesian Immigration can also reject an application on these grounds.

Tourists should always be prepared to show solid evidence of their intentions in traveling to the country. This can include travel itineraries, hotel bookings, and invitation letters.

The final big reason why Indonesian visa applications are denied is on the grounds of inconsistent information.

Immigration is calling for all applicant to ensure all personal details submitted match their official documents, and in the event of more complicated applications, reference numbers, names, document numbers, and personal details are formatted in the same way across the application.

Tourists can apply for the 30-day eVisa on Arrival via the Indonesia eVisa website up to 90 days before their intended arrival in the country.

The visa is valid for 30 days upon arrival in the county and costs IDR 500,000 per person. The visa can be extended one time for an additional 30 days via the same online platform.