Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has just announced a series of significant changes to a range of visa categories that will impact tourists and travelers heading to Bali in the coming weeks and months.
The new visa category changes are designed to make the whole application process simpler and more streamlined.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration has confirmed that it is simplifying its visa category system by merging similar visa categories together. In an update published on social media the Directorate General of Immigration confirmed that these changes will be implemented gradually and that visa applicants will notice the visa category merging on the official Indonesia eVisa website.
Indonesia Immigration explains “Indonesia’s updated visa classifications make it easier than ever to choose the right visa for your needs. Whether you’re traveling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or government visits, the process is now more straightforward.”
Adding “This simplification aims to enhance efficacy in the visa application process. By merging similar categories, [reducing] complexity and offers a more streamlined expense for applicants.”
The policy updates have been written into Indonesian law as part of the Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections No. M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025 on Visa Classification. The changes will affect visa indexes 133-110.
Indonesia Immigration further explains “Now a single visa type can accommodation multiple purposes that previously required separate visa categories.”
Adding “For example, the current Visa Free Index A1, which was previously only valid for tourism, can now also be used for business and medical treatment. This change provides greater convenience for visa applicants, eliminating the need to apply for different types of visas for each purpose.”
Indonesia Immigration is hopeful that this new simpler system will provide more flexibility for foreigners visiting the country, and make it easier for visitors to be compliant with the law. Especially those who are conducting a combination of tourism activities, social visits, and even specific business activities like buying goods for export.
The statement by Indonesia Immigration explained, “This new policy provides certainty for foreign nationals to purchase goods in Indonesia, without being restricted by the type of visa held. This is in line with global practice where no country prohibits the purchase of goods based on visa type.”
Tourists and travelers planning trips to Bali and other areas of Indonesia in the coming months for purposes other than strictly tourism are advised to thoroughly read through the conditions of each visa category at the time of making their visa application.
As these category merges will be ‘implemented gradually’ it is vitally important that foreigners understand what is and is not permitted on their visa at any given time. For example, even as the visa categories from Index 133-110 merge, it remains the case that anyone who wishes to engage in volunteering activities must apply for the specific C6 Social, Humanitarian, and Volunteering visa.
Nevertheless, it remains the case that for the vast majority of holidaymakers and tourists visiting Bali the most appropriate visa for their trip is the eVisa on Arrival or Visa on Arrival. This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended one time for a further 30 days.
The visa costs IDR 500,000 and can be applied for prior to traveling to Indonesia, via the official Indonesian Immigration website, or upon arrival at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International or any other international airport in Indonesia.
Tourists and travelers in Indonesia or who are planning trips to Indonesia are advised to follow the Indonesia Immigration Instagram account. The Instagram account shares regular updates in English as well as helpful hints, tips, and advice for visa applications.
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Exp
Friday 13th of June 2025
"Visa A1, which was previously only valid for tourism, can now also be used for medical treatment."
I believe people have been coming to Bali for years to seek some sort of medical treatments while on holiday. Bali must have missed out on deporting thousands over the years.
Shorty
Saturday 14th of June 2025
@Exp,
Apart from dentistry I doubt there's many tourists in the past who came here for medical procedures and treatment.
WAYAN BO
Friday 13th of June 2025
UNLIMITED SENIOR VISA SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.