Indonesian Visa Discussion (Including Bali)

[Pushka]

https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/02/22/update-indonesia-automated-gate-immigration-now-open-to-all-foreigners-with-evisa-e-voa/

I’m excited for this development but I wonder if it’s more relevant to Jakarta than Bali. Does anyone have any recent experience with the egates in Bali? The late night arrivals hall 1-2 hr “hurry up and wait” queues don’t excite me.

This would be fab. I checked bali travel forum and there's mixed reports. I'll be trying in June.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We will be there next month - one of us will post

 

[jokes128]

We arrived at Bali last week on the morning of 14/2/2024.......right on the day that we had to pay Bali tourist tax.

We applied for/paid the eVOA and the Bali tourist taxes online.

On arrival at DPS reasonably long queue for those passengers who presumably did not pre-pay for their eVOA. There was no signs about where eVOA tourists should go and we had to ask around before finally locating the automatic gates. Absolutely no other tourist was waiting there at the automated gates.

We showed the young immigration official(standing right in front of the automated gates) our printed out eVOA and Bali tourist tax documents. The guy instructed me and my wife to go through automated gates but informed me our children(both teenagers but under 18) need to be done separately at the counter manually, and the counter is just located behind and next to the automated gates.

I asked if I can go with the children instead of automated gates but was declined and instructed us adults to go through automated gates and said he would take our children to the counter.

So my wife and I went through automated gates and as soon as we have passed the gate, the young guy led our children pass the gate next to the automated gates and to the counter with officials. We waited behind the counter whilst two officials checked our children's passports etc.

So for us the total arrival immigration time taken(excluding time to ask around and locate the automated gates) was about 5 minutes(it would have been 1 minute if we don't have children with us). I wonder what would happen if our children are younger like under 10 years old.

As for whether they checked if Bali Tourist tax has been paid, I can't answer this one as we paid online before leaving Australia and no word was said from the officials during passport checking. One thing was, we printed out the physical copies of the Bali tourist tax but nobody asked for them.

 

[Pushka]

We arrived at Bali last week on the morning of 14/2/2024.......right on the day that we had to pay Bali tourist tax.

We applied for/paid the eVOA and the Bali tourist taxes online.

On arrival at DPS reasonably long queue for those passengers who presumably did not pre-pay for their eVOA. There was no signs about where eVOA tourists should go and we had to ask around before finally locating the automatic gates. Absolutely no other tourist was waiting there at the automated gates.

We showed the young immigration official(standing right in front of the automated gates) our printed out eVOA and Bali tourist tax documents. The guy instructed me and my wife to go through automated gates but informed me our children(both teenagers but under 18) need to be done separately at the counter manually, and the counter is just located behind and next to the automated gates.

I asked if I can go with the children instead of automated gates but was declined and instructed us adults to go through automated gates and said he would take our children to the counter.

So my wife and I went through automated gates and as soon as we have passed the gate, the young guy led our children pass the gate next to the automated gates and to the counter with officials. We waited behind the counter whilst two officials checked our children's passports etc.

So for us the total arrival immigration time taken(excluding time to ask around and locate the automated gates) was about 5 minutes(it would have been 1 minute if we don't have children with us). I wonder what would happen if our children are younger like under 10 years old.

As for whether they checked if Bali Tourist tax has been paid, I can't answer this one as we paid online before leaving Australia and no word was said from the officials during passport checking. One thing was, we printed out the physical copies of the Bali tourist tax but nobody asked for them.

Thankyou. Thats brilliant progress.

 

[Gold Member]

E-gates in Bali are GO!

https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/03/12/indonesia-entry-exit-experiences-using-e-voa-with-automated-gates-bali-levy/

 

[aikman]

I used the egates when I arrived at around 4pm. There was about 20 egates and there was no queue at all. I scanned my passport, then a camera took a photo of me and I was through. No need to show anyone my visa. I then got an email saying my visa had been activated.

There was around 10 egates on departure but they were either not operating or were switched off.

I did not show anybody anywhere my tourist levy receipt.

 

[drron]

So do you have to have paid the Bali tax to use the egates. We do have our evisas.

 

[SYD]

So do you have to have paid the Bali tax to use the egates. We do have our evisas.

No. The linked LL article implied that it’s an honour system at the moment.

Same gates at CGK, so probably not programmed for the Bali tax. Should be more like the Customs QR code (or do online first).

More importantly, still no word on dropping eVOA for Oz….

 

[antycbr]

No. The linked LL article implied that it’s an honour system at the moment.

Same gates at CGK, so probably not programmed for the Bali tax. Should be more like the Customs QR code (or do online first).

More importantly, still no word on dropping eVOA for Oz….

it’s just a tax - of course they won’t drop it!

At least it’s not like Chile - $183…

 

[SYD]

it’s just a tax - of course they won’t drop it!

It was reported late last year that bilateral discussion could see Oz PP holders go back to visa free arrival (seperate to the Bali tourist tax - which of course could be recouped by accommodation providers).

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/aussie-tourists-will-no-longer-require-a-visa-to-visit-bali-in-2024-after-indonesian-government-scraps-visaonarrival-process/news-story/5fe490a608447d36024423f07ea11bbe

I’d be happy if the free 3 day transit “visa” came back…

At least it’s not like Chile - $183…

Yes, I just used my “Visa”…

Oz is one a very few countries still required to pay the Chile reciprocity fee - albeit via online application now… Successive Fed governments have failed to negotiate a better deal for Oz travellers.

 

[kokoikaka]

I have booked a reward flight with Jetstar to DPS and transit to TPE with China Airlines.

Anyone knows if I needed to go through immigration and pay visa fee+tourist tax ? I wonder if Jetstar will check through my luggage to China airlines..

 

[RooFlyer]

E-gates in Bali are GO!

https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/03/12/indonesia-entry-exit-experiences-using-e-voa-with-automated-gates-bali-levy/

The e-gates should hopefully negate the problem with Indonesian immigration authorities faulting passports for fairly trivial wear and tear.

 

[drron]

The Ball tourist tax is obviously optional. No mention of it through the egates and baggage hall. The only time I saw somewhere to pay there were 2 Aussies paying whilst hundreds walked by. You were very nearly out of the building. Looked up and a sign on the parking garage said could you please pay the Bali tax.

Again egates to the left and most were free. Huge lines to pay the VOA. So although not a pleasant experience getting the eVisa is definitely worth it and no need to pay for a fast track service.

 

[jase05]

I have booked a reward flight with Jetstar to DPS and transit to TPE with China Airlines.

Anyone knows if I needed to go through immigration and pay visa fee+tourist tax ? I wonder if Jetstar will check through my luggage to China airlines..

JQ won’t check luggage through to the best of my knowledge. You will need to go through immigration and pay appropriate fees

 

[cssaus]

To confirm, a visit to Bali still requires the payment for an e-VOA but now also a payment of the Bali visitor tax, is that correct?

 

[SYD]

To confirm, a visit to Bali still requires the payment for an e-VOA but now also a payment of the Bali visitor tax, is that correct?

Yes, at the moment.

 

[drron]

There is no requirement to pay the Ball tax to exit the airport but there are reports now that police are stopping people and asking for proof that you have paid. They ask to see the QR code on your phone to prove you have paid.

Urgent warning to Aussies heading to Bali

Aussies heading to Bali have been warned they could be streets by police for on-the-spot inspections to verify payment of the new 'tourist tax'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Daver6]

According to the article, if you haven't paid it, you're asked to pay it on the spot, no fines applied. That's hardly going to encourage you to pay it.

Also, is there anything that states you need to carry proof of payment with you at all times?

 

[Pushka]

I notice today that Jetstar has a warning about it on their website.

Post automatically merged: Mar 24, 2024

According to the article, if you haven't paid it, you're asked to pay it on the spot, no fines applied. That's hardly going to encourage you to pay it.

Also, is there anything that states you need to carry proof of payment with you at all times?

Apparently they plan to check it on your emails But if you paid it on arrival there won't be any email. . I think we will try avoid.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Hiya - flying to Bali on Friday arriving around 7pm.

Could anyone share their latest experience with the eGates? If you have your VoA, is it literally walking into the immirgration hall and going through the gates without much waiting (like in Singapore)?

I probably will pay the Bali tax, just out of goodwill.

Cheers