If you’re considering moving to Bali, or just want to enjoy an extended vacation, one of the easiest ways to do so without getting attached to a lengthier or slightly more complex Visa situation is to opt for the 30 day Visa on Arrival (VOA), which can be extended one time for a total stay of 60 days or less.

Below we have outlined the steps to successfully extend your 30 day VOA, though we recommend keeping an eye on the latest developments, as the requirements are known to change from year to year.

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How to Extend your 30 Day VOA in Bali

Good to Know:

  • This may vary depending your departure airport or airline, but we were required to show our exit tickets from Indonesia (booked for day 58 after our arrival) before being allowed to board our flight to Bali for the first time. If you are moving to Bali (and didn’t get a Social Visa while still in your home country) or are on an extended vacation without a specific end date, I recommend purchasing an inexpensive one-way ticket to Singapore within 30 to 60 days from the day you arrive. You may want to contact your airline ahead of time to avoid any costly last minute plane ticket purchases.
  • If you intend to stay in Bali for 30 days or less, residents of 169 countries (including the U.S. and Australia!) may now enter on a free 30 day VOA.
  • If you plan on staying in Bali for 31 to 60 days, DO NOT opt for the free 30 day VOA, as it cannot be extended. Instead, purchase the $35 USD Visa on Arrival at the immigration counter at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, which can be extended for a stay not to exceed 60 days.
  • The 60 day VOA is not equal to 2 months. The day you arrive counts as day 1, so avoid any trouble by counting your days correctly! The fee for overstaying your Visa is a steep 300,000 IDR per day.

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After purchasing your VOA at the airport, you will need to either 1) hire a local agent service to handle the extension process, which requires 3 separate trips to the same immigration office (approximately $50 USD), or 2) prepare the documents and do it yourself (approximately $26 USD).

Personally, unless you plan on traveling around a ton or simply don’t want to have to worry about it, I recommend extending it yourself. It’s fairly straightforward, not overly time-consuming (once you’re at the office), and cheaper than hiring an agent. Plus, if you plan on staying in Bali for more than 60 days, you’re likely going to have to familiarize yourself with the immigration office process anyway.

 

Bali Immigration Offices

There are currently 3 immigration offices in Bali. Since you’ll need to go to the same office a total of 3 times (likely all within a week to 10 days), you’ll want to choose the one that’s most convenient.

  • Nusa Dua (South Bali) – Formerly the office on Ngurah Rai Bypass Road in Kuta, it has now moved to Jl. Taman Jimbaran no.1, Mumbul, Kuta Selatan, District Nusa Dua, Bali.
  • Renon (Denpasar, Southeast Bali) – Jl. D.I. Pandjaitan No.3, Dangin Puri Klod, Denpasar Timur, Bali. Phone: 0361.227.828
  • Singaraja (North Bali) – Jl. Seririt, Desa Pemaron, Singaraja, Kec. Buleleng, Bali. Phone: 0362.321.74

Give yourself at least 7 business days (or more) to take care of your VOA extension, and pay special attention to holidays and local celebrations when the offices will be closed, which could cause delays. Offices are typically open from 8am to 4pm (and closed from 12 to 1pm for lunch), Monday through Friday.

Pro Tips: Get there as early as possible to avoid long lines, crowds and midday traffic, and be sure to wear appropriate clothing (pants, long skirts, or basically anything that doesn’t look like you just came from the club or the beach). There was a poster of Kate Middleton as an example of appropriate clothing, and Rihanna as an example of inappropriate clothing, if that helps you.

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What to Bring to Immigration

At the old Ngurah Rai Bypass location, there was a copy place just next door to prepare all of your paperwork. Since I have not personally visited the new Nusa Dua office or any of the others, I cannot say whether this applies. My advice is to make copies before you go, or ask around to find the nearest place within walking/biking distance from the immigration office. Either way, making copies shouldn’t be too hard a task.

Items you’ll need include:

  • Black Pen
  • Passport
  • 2 Copies of Passport Picture Page
  • 2 Copies of Departure Plane Ticket from Indonesia
  • Copy of Visa on Arrival Receipt (small piece of paper you received at the airport after paying the $35 USD fee)
  • Name, Address, Email and Phone Number of your Accommodation

*Note: We had heard mixed reports that we would need a local sponsor to extend our 30 day VOA. This was not the case, though it doesn’t hurt to know the name, address, email and phone number of a local resident just in case. Ask your hotel, villa or homestay owners for references if needed. In the area of the form reserved for our sponsor’s details, we simply used the information for our family members back home and it seemed to work just fine.

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Visit #1: Submit your Application

Ask the employees at the counter for a 30 day Visa on Arrival extension application. You will receive a red folder with 2 forms inside.

Fill out both forms in all caps (including the aforementioned sponsor information), and don’t forget to write your reason for traveling and signature on the back side, as well as your name on the front of the folder.

Take a number from the kiosk (likely placed near the entrance) and have a seat until your number is called. When prompted, go to the specified desk and give the immigration officer your red folder, including the forms, your passport and any copies you’ve made. They will let you know if anything needs to be fixed.

Have a seat, listen carefully for your name, and go back up to the desk to collect your receipt with a date and time frame to return, typically around 3 days later. The office keeps your passport, so do not lose your receipt!

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Visit #2: Payment, Photos and Fingerprints

On the second visit, the only two things you’ll need to bring are 355,000 IDR in cash and your receipt from the last visit.

Take a number and wait to be called, then submit your receipt and cash payment. You’ll then be given another number and told to sit back down. When your second number is called, go to a different room to have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned.

The officer will give you a receipt telling you when to return to pick up your passport (typically the next day or two), and you’re good to go!

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Visit #3: Passport Pick-Up

Your final visit is an easy one. Simply go to the counter with your receipt (you shouldn’t even need to take a number this time), have a seat until you’re called back up, and voila! Your passport will be returned, and you can go back to enjoying your extended time in Bali!

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On a final note, there is currently no limit on the number of times you can enter Indonesia, though immigration has recently threatened to cut down on the number of people illegally living and working in Bali by limiting the number of 60 day VOAs allowed per year. We know several people who simply leave the country every 60 days and start the process all over again, as opposed to obtaining a Social, Business or KITAS Visa. It’s ultimately up to you, but ask around for the best advice!

Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a wonderful extended stay in Bali!