Indonesian Immigration Updates Visa Free Travel List Impacting Bali Tourists 

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Indonesia has confirmed that it has updated its list of visitor visa exemptions. This updated list includes 15 countries whose citizens and passport holders are permitted to enter Indonesia for up to 30 days without requiring a visa. 

Indonesia Immigration has stated, “Citizens from selected countries are now granted visa-free entry into Indonesia. You may stay up to 30 days, but this permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of stay permit.” 

The fifteen countries now visa-exempt for entry into Indonesia are: Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Timor-Leste, Suriname, Colombia, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Brazil.

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Visitor visa exemption can be used for tourism visits, government or business visits, business meeting visits, purchasing goods, meetings, and transit. All those entering the country in a visitor visa exemption are expected to have a clear purpose for visiting Indonesia and must comply with all immigration rules. 

Those who wish to enter Indonesia on a visitor visa exemption must first register their visa exemption status. Indonesia Immigration explains, “Foreigners subject to visa exemption who arrive through international airports or seaports with an autogate must register at http://evisa.imigrasi.go.id.”

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Indonesia Immigration adds, “Visa Exemption visit registration does not apply if a foreigner arrives through a manual immigration checkpoint. Immigration document checks and the arrival stamp are issued by immigration officers.”

Immigration has confirmed updated and simplified regulations for foreigners visiting the country using the visitor visa exemption, including for top destinations such as Bali.

The details state that “A1 now covers tourism, business, and medical treatment all under one visa. A4 [covers] government visits and remains in a separate index category.”

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Indonesia Immigration concludes, “This simplifies the process: granted visitor visa exemption A1 index for tourism, business, medical purpose, or goods purchasing in one step. For government visits, the A4 index will be granted.”

It remains the case that Bali’s most frequent international arrivals, from Australia, China, India, many countries in Europe, the USA, and New Zealand, must apply for a visa on arrival or an e-visa on arrival. The visa on arrival costs IDR 500,000 and is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once for a further 30 days. 

However, tourists traveling to Bali are being advised to familiarize themselves with the new changes to the visa extension process. As of May 29th, new policies were implemented that require tourists and visitors to Indonesia who wish to extend their visa to do so through the Hybrid Application System. 

This new Hybrid Application System requires visa and permit holders to register their visa extension application online at evisa.immigration.go.id. Once completed, applicants will be called to visit their nearest immigration office within two working days to complete biometrics and document checks.

Applicants who are elderly, disabled, breastfeeding, or pregnant women are eligible for priority service, as well as those in urgent or emergency situations. 

The visa extension process has undergone several changes over the past few years. Prior to the pandemic, tourists had to visit their closest immigration office three times in order to complete their extension application.

After borders reopened after the pandemic, a fully online system was launched, making it easier than ever for tourist to extend their visas. 

However, the new Hybrid Application System was introduced in May as a result of a sharp rise in the number of foreigners found to be violating Indonesian Immigration law. Between January and April 2025, 1,620 immigration violations were recorded, representing a more than 36% increase from the same period in 2024. 

Tourists traveling to Bali can find minute information on Indonesian immigration at the official Indonesian immigration website, and helpful guides and advice are published regularly on the Indonesian immigration Instagram account.