Indonesian Immigration has issued updated guidance for tourists traveling to the country, including popular destinations such as Bali.
As volcanic activity increases across Indonesia, and as emergencies and accidents can occur in the blink of an eye, tourists are encouraged to be informed about Indonesia’s visa rules, including the Emergency Stay Permit.
All tourists entering Indonesia require a visa or to register for a visa exemption. Indonesia has updated its visa exemption list, which now allows tourists from 15 countries to enter the country for up to 30 days for tourism and a limited number of business activities without a visa.
The countries now on the visa exemption list for Indonesia are Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Timor-Leste, Suriname, Colombia, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Brazil.
Tourists from more than 90 other countries must apply for an eVisa on Arrival, or Visa on Arrival, in order to enjoy a vacation in Bali. The eVisa on Arrival, or Visa on Arrival, costs IDR 500,000, is valid for 30 days, and can be extended one time only for a further 30 days via the new Hybrid Application System.
With the Indonesian Immigration, especially the immigration teams in Bali, seriously cracking down on visa violations, tourists traveling to Bali must be aware of the conditions of their eVisa on Arrival, or Visa on Arrival, and be mindful of the expiry date.
Nevertheless, emergencies can still occur; natural disasters are a far too common occurrence in Indonesia, and even if tourists have all the plans in place to depart from Indonesia before their visa expires, the unexpected is just around the corner.
If onward or return travel is cancelled, delayed, or disrupted at the last minute, or if a natural disaster or pandemic prevents travel, or if an emergency of any kind occurs, tourists can apply for an Emergency Stay Permit.
Indonesia Immigration shared, “Ready to go…but forced to return [stay] in Indonesia? No worries, if you’re a foreigner, Indonesia Immigration has a solution for you to make sure you’re not illegal.”
Indonesia Immigration continues, “We understand your concern. Indonesia Immigration provides a solution. The Emergency Stay Permit.” However, there are only certain situations where an emergency stay permit may be granted; specific criteria must be met, and documents provided to immigration officers.
In the event of a delayed or canceled departure after the individual has been stamped out of Indonesia and is awaiting a flight at the airport, Indonesia Immigration explains, “the officer at the immigration checkpoint will cancel your departure stamp either manually or within the system.”
The second step is to “immediately apply for a post-stay permit by coordinating with the officer at the immigration checkpoint, then come to the nearest immigration office [after] attaching an official certificate or written declaration from the aviation civil authority, airline, or local airport authority.”
In the case of Bali, this would be either the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office or the Denpasar Immigration Office. The Emergency Stay Permit is valid for up to 30 days and can be extended for a further 30 days if the emergency situation persists.
Foreigners who have been issued an Emergency Stay Permit will not be charged overstay fees for the period that the Emergency Stay Permit is valid, and the Emergency Stay Permit is issued at no cost.
Tourists traveling to Bali, or Indonesia more broadly, are highly recommended to follow the Indonesia Immigration Instagram account, where updates, guidance, and advice to navigate the immigration system are issued on a regular basis.
Indonesia Immigration is implementing a wave of new policy changes, many of which are announced with only 1-2 days’ notice. No matter how quickly immigration changes come into effect, it is the responsibility of the foreign national to obey all immigration laws throughout their day in Indonesia, even if those laws change or update after they arrive.
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WAYAN BO
Sunday 13th of July 2025
The additional income could be the sale of citizenship.
WAYAN BO
Sunday 13th of July 2025
The possibility of war should be calculated too, such invasion of Taiwan.
Exp
Sunday 13th of July 2025
If the airport is shut down due to volcanic ash cloud the procedure is as follows?
1.Immediately apply for a Emergency stay permit by "coordinating" with the officer at the immigration checkpoint,
2. Obtain a "written declaration" from the aviation civil authority, airline, or local airport authority,
3. Then come to the nearest immigration office to get the 30 day Emergency stay permit.
We know that around 30,000-50,000 tourists depart daily during peak. So how can the authorities ask for tens of thousand of people having to move around the airport and travel to immigrations to get their stamps?
Not workable.
MrBearSnr
Saturday 12th of July 2025
And when the Immigration office is closed? Sat, Sun. A couple of thousand people turning up at 8am Monday to find it closed for a public/religious holiday after their flights were cancelled on Friday/Sat/Sun. What happens when people get told their flight is rescheduled to leave before the Immigration Office reopens?
Exp
Sunday 13th of July 2025
@MrBearSnr, The airport handle maybe 30,000-50,000 tourists leaving on a day. So if airport closed due to volcanic ash then the plan is for all these to get some sort of official document and then find nearest immigration office? Obviously not workable. Just a recipe for chaos.
Randy
Friday 11th of July 2025
Good implementation for those who become stranded due to unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control. But there is always a few who would take advantage of a loophole to overstay as an excuse. And blame the Indonesians for the lack of clarity (the law is written in BIG BOLD PRINT) for their unscrupulous foreign behavior after being caught.
Bali seems to reflect this notion as a free for all destination for those who would want to break the law abroad but would not do so back home. Hypocrites and dumb people. Bribe the locals knowingly that you are clearly wrong and you are fee, well guess what you may also be complicit in the matter. A cycle of corruption that never ends.
For example, not wearing a helmet, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and without a valid license (local or international drivers license) and causing an accident on the road that may entirely be your own fault because some may not be familiar with the road using an unfamiliar motor vehicle (4 or 2 wheels). All too common...if local police wants seasonal tourists to wear a helmet is for your own good, why blame that some Indonesians don’t wear helmets either. This is about protecting foreign tourists to abide by certain rules as a protection. If some of the locals don’t wear helmets then it is not of your concern whether they get pulled over or not. Stop playing the victim card because you may be white in a sea of brown people...sigh.
Why follow that some Indonesians would do?? Seriously...protect yourself first on the open road and stay sober and let another person drive you or take a share ride. This is what people with common sense would do back home but why does it have to be different in a foreign country for that matter. Who cares what locals would do and won’t do...be smart. Whenever you visit a West or a non Western country, there is a high chance you would encounter a culture shock...the same goes for here in Indonesia. Stay a step ahead and protect yourself.