These 7 Visa Categories Are Exempt From Bali’s New Tourism Tax

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Bali’s new tourism tax will come into effect on the 14th of February, 2024.

Officials have been talking about the new tourism levy for months, but as the big launch looms closer, the final details are being revealed.

It has now been confirmed once and for all which visitor visa categories will be exempt from paying the IDR 150,000 tourism tax fee.

In total, there are seven visa types that will not have to pay the tourism tax. However, these visa holders will still have to log in online and apply for an exemption. 

The visa categories exempt from the Bali Tourism Tax are diplomatic and official visas, crew members on transportation vehicles, and holders of temporary or permanent stay permit cards (KITAS and KITAP). 

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Holders of family unification visas, student visas, Golden Visas, and business-specific visas are also exempt.

It has also just been confirmed that Bali Governor’s Regulation Number 36 of 2023 on Payment Procedures for Foreign Tourist Levy states the request for levy exemption application must be submitted at least one month before entering Bali. 

The regulation stipulates that the local tourism authority will verify and make a decision on the application within a maximum of five working days. The decision on whether the application is approved or rejected will be communicated to tourists through the Love Bali system at lovebali.baliprov.go.id.

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The Head of Tourism at the Bali Tourism Office, Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, spoke to reporters as the tax is about to be introduced.

Yustikarini said, “They [exemption visa holders] must submit an application and meet the requirements in the Love Bali system…If it is approved, the Love Bali system will give a notice and proof of exemption approval to the foreign tourist in the form of a QR code.”

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For now, the levy will also be payable and checkable at the international arrival terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and Benoa Port, Bali.

However, with the new Bali Tourism Civil Service Satpol PP Units on patrol, tourists should be prepared to show their tourism levy voucher if requested by an officer around the island.

This may become especially true in places like Sanur Harbour where tourists transit between the Gili Islands and Lombok that are not part of Bali Province. 

News that Bali is introducing a tourism tax has hit international headlines, and while there are always going to be folks who sit on either side of the fence, it feels like most people aren’t too fussed about paying an extra USD 10, provided they feel they are getting some kind of value from their contribution.

Leaders, including Acting Governor Sang and Made Mahendra Jaya, have committed to ensuring that funds are spent in a way that directly impacts tourists, as well as contributing to presenting Bali’s natural and cultural heritage. 

The Acting Governor has gone one step further and said that he wants to introduce discounts for tourists who have paid the fee. He wants to see discount vouchers handed out to tourists at top attractions. 

Speaking to reporters, Acting Governor Jaya said, “The amount of the discount will vary, and this is to stimulate foreign tourists to pay before arriving in Bali because they will get the biggest discount voucher,”

Whether exempt from paying the tourism tax fee or not, tourists and foreigners in Bali must go to the same place.

The tourism tax and exemption form can be found on the http://lovebali.prov.go.id/ website.

The site is also available as an app that can be downloaded via the website or found directly in the app store on smart devices.