Indonesia Free Visa Update
Indonesia Free Visa – Indonesian Immigration Updates Visa Free Travel List Impacting Bali Tourists.
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.
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.
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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 evisa.immigration.go.id.”
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.”
ndonesia 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.
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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.
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Bali Tourists Must Pay Attention To Volcanic Activity In Indonesia
Tourists traveling to Bali or across Indonesia are advised to closely monitor volcanic activity in the country.
Volcanic activity across Indonesia is increasing, especially on the islands neighbouring Bali, and eruptions have been impacting flights.
Volcanic activity from Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has been increasing over the last 10 months. On June 17th, the volcano in Flores erupted, releasing an ash cloud 11km into the air.
The eruption triggered the authorities to put Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki back on the highest level of alert, and the eruption caused major delays and travel disruptions at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
On Monday, 7th July 2025, Mount Lewotobi Laki erupted once again. Indonesia’s MAGMA Agency confirmed that the volcano spewed a mixed cloud of ash, lava, and gas 19km into the air, creating an avalanche and lava flow for 5km down the volcano.
Monday’s eruption impacts at least three flights to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. A Virgin Australia spokesperson told reporters, “Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today.”
Adding “The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and our team of expert meteorologists is closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity…We regret the impact of this on guests’ travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app.”
A spokesperson from Qantas told reporters, “Our meteorologists and operations teams are closely monitoring the movement of volcanic ash from the latest eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia.” Adding “Safety is always our top priority, and we will contact customers directly if their flight is disrupted.”
It is not only Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in the Flores Islands that is experiencing heightened activity, but also Mount Ruang in East Java. On Monday, 7th July, the volcano, which is located at the border of Jember Regency between Bondowoso and Banyuwangi in East Java, spewed an ash cloud 1000m above its peak.
The Mount Raung Observation Post Officer, Burhan Alethea, confirmed, “There was an eruption of Mount Raung with the height of the eruption column observed at around 1,000 meters above the peak or 4,332 meters above sea level (masl).” Mount Raung erupted again at 3.21 am local time. Alethea added, “The height of the eruption column was observed to be around 800 meters above the peak or 4,132 meters above sea level.”
He urged, “The public and visitors or tourists are not allowed to approach the eruption center in the peak crater within a radius of three kilometers, descend the caldera, and spend the night in the crater area.”
Data from Mount Raung Observation Post in Songgon, Banyuwangi, recorded that since January to July 2, 2025, there have been 43 eruptions. The height of the eruption column varies between 400 to 2,000 meters above the peak. In a media statement issued last week, the Mount Raung Observation Post Officer, Agung Tri Subeki, shared, “During June 2025, Mount Raung erupted almost every day.”
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Speaking separately, the Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Muhammad Wafid, previously confirmed that the latest evaluation showed that Mount Raung remains on alert despite the continuous eruption activity, adding, “The status of Mount Raung is still Level II.”
On Friday, 4th July, Mount Seramu, which sits at the border of Lumajang and Malang Regency in East Java, also saw a significant eruption. Visibility of the eruptions was obscured by dense fog. Seismic activity was also recorded from Mount Seramu in the three days prior.
Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer, Ghufron Alwi, reported that the first eruption on Friday, 4th July, occurred at 04.47 local time with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of 124 seconds.
He added, “Mount Semeru erupted again at 08.50 Western Indonesia Time, and the height of the eruption column was not observed. The second eruption was also recorded with a maximum amplitude of 22 mm and a duration of 108 seconds.” Mount Seramnu reminds me of a Level II warning. A no-go zone has been put in place 3km around the centre of the peak.
Bali Shares Updates On Tourism Tax
Latest figures indicate that the number of tourists visiting Bali is increasing compared to 2024. By the end of the year, the province is on track to see a 10-12% increase in the number of international tourists.
As visitor numbers rise, officials are calling for all tourists to remember to pay their Tourism Tax Levy contribution.
The Bali Tourism Tax Levy was introduced in February 2024, and while the IDR 150,000 is a mandatory requirement for all international tourists, by the end of the first year of the policy, it was clear that as few as 35% of visitors had made their payment.
Data from the Bali Provincial Government shows that between January and June 2025, the province had received IDR 168 billion in tourism tax levy revenue, which equates to USD 10.5 million.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster revealed to reporters that on one record-breaking day, Bali received IDR 933 million in tourism tax fees, equating to USD 57,000.
Koster told reporters, “If this trend continues, the potential annual revenue is estimated to reach IDR 340 billion.”
Governor Koster has also committed to optimising tourism tax revenue spending and confirmed that he is working with a range of stakeholders, including in the hotel sector, to ensure that the funds are spent in ways that benefit Bali residents, the environment, and tourists.
Tourists traveling to Bali this high season are reminded that the Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee is non-negotiable.
The easiest way to pay the IDR 150,000 per person fee is via the LoveBali website. It is now possible to make the payment for multiple travelers in a group in one go. Simply head to the LoveBali website, and on the homepage, select ‘Group’ and proceed with the steps on screen.
Travelers will need to have their passport number and email address readily available. The first tourist listed in a group application will receive the invoice for the entire group’s payment, although separate QR-code vouchers will be sent via email to each group member.
The alternative option to paying on the LoveBali website is to make payment on arrival at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. However, many tourists have noted that this adds an extra step in the arrivals process.
Regardless of where tourists make their payment, they will be issued with a QR-code voucher that they must keep close at hand throughout the duration of their time in Bali.
Tourism Task Force Officers and officers from the Bali Tourism Office regularly conduct spot checks on tourists visiting top attractions, including destinations like Tanah Lot Temple and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.
Tourists who are found not to have yet paid their Tourism Tax Levy payment will be asked to pay on the spot. All Bali Tourism Tax Levy payments must be made on a debit or credit card, and it is not possible to pay in cash.
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Tourists and travelers heading to Bali are advised to complete their Tourism Tax Levy application themselves and not use a third-party service.
There is now a verification feature on the LoveBali website for tourists who have been issued their QR-code voucher by a third party to check the legitimacy of the document.
The Bali Provincial Government explains that the Bali Tourism Tax Levy and “Love Bali is a movement started by the Bali Provincial Government to enforce a new policy, the Comprehensive Development Plan. The goal is to preserve the integrity and balance of Bali’s nature, its people, and their culture.”
Tourists are reminded that it is not yet possible to make their visa on arrival payment and their Bali Tourism Tax Levy payment in one go.
This is because the Bali Tourism Tax Levy is a provincial tax system managed by the government of Bali, and the visa system is managed by the Indonesian Immigration, overseen by the central government.
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All articles are provided by “The Bali Sun“
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