Indonesian Immigration Warns Bali Tourists Of Being Denied Entry At Border

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Immigration updates are coming in thick and fast from Indonesian officials right now. From changes to the visa extension process to reminders about the conditions of the popular visitor visa category, travelers heading to Indonesia need to keep up to date with all the latest rules and regulations. 

In an update published on Instagram, Indonesia’s Immigration has issued new warnings to tourists about the chances of being rejected entry to the country at the border. For most tourists, once they have boarded their flight to Bali, everything is deemed to be seamless from there on in.

With airlines not allowing tourists to board flights without return tickets, pristine passports, and evidence of a visa or means of applying for a visa on arrival, in 99% of cases tourists pass through the Indonesian border quickly and easily.

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A post shared by Directorate General of Immigration (@indonesiaimmigration)

However, for a small number of tourists, even those traveling to Bali, there is still a risk of being turned away at the border. All immigration officers in Bali have the right to deny entry to a foreigner if they feel that the persons in question fails to meet any of the entry criteria. 

In the Instagram update, Indonesia Immigration shared “Can you be rejected at the border? Yes! Even if you booked everything right.”

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A post shared by Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi (@ditjen_imigrasi)

The post continued “Why does border rejection happen? Yes, it is possible to be denied entry at the border, even if you have a valid visa and complete documents.”

Indonesian Immigration added “Under Indonesian immigration law, border officers have full authority to access ever traveler and decide whether they meet the entry requirements. Rejection can happen due to a mismatched travel purpose, invalid documentation or concerns that arise during inspection.”

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A post shared by Directorate General of Immigration (@indonesiaimmigration)

There are several key reasons why foreigners are denied entry at the border. The first is passport issues. Tourists must ensure that their passports are valid for more than six months and in absolutely pristine condition. Tears, rips, folds, marks, or stains of any kind, no matter how small, are valid reasons for an Indonesian Immigration officer to deny entry at the border.

The second most common reason for being denied entry at the border is the wrong visa type. Immigration officers detect this when asking what the purpose of the visit is and summarizing the activities the foreigner will be doing during their visit with a series of follow-up questions, sometimes further document checks, and in the case of a second-phase investigation, even luggage checks.

Foreigners entering Indonesia must ensure that the activities they intend to engage in during their stay are permissible on the visa on which they are attempting to enter the country. 

Incomplete documents are another key reason why foreigners are turned away at the border. Tourists must ensure that they can show evidence of an onward or return flight ticket, proof of an e-visa, proof of accommodation booking, or a letter from a sponsor or host. Not being able to produce all of these documents can result in a quick refusal of entry to Indonesia. 

The final reason to be aware is for those who have already been identified by Immigration as potential threats or risks.

Anyone who has previously been given a ‘Cegah’, a departure prevention notice from Indonesia issued to those under investigation by the police, government authorities, or Immigration, is generally not permitted entry to Indonesia in the future.

Anyone issued with a ‘Tangkal’, an entry ban, will also be turned away at the border. Foreigners get added to the Prevention and Banned Entry List, sometimes referred to as the blacklist, for overstaying, violating immigration law, violating Indonesian common law, or posing a security risk.