How to get a Visa Extension in Bali Indonesia
So you’re wondering how to get your visa extension in Bali, Indonesia? We don’t blame you for wanting to stay longer than 30 days on the beautiful island of Bali. A visa extension in Bali is actually a little more complicated than extending your visa in other countries. The entire process starts at the Airport upon your arrival and finishes with 3 in person visits to an Indonesian Immigration office. Therefore, we hope you’re reading this before you arrive to Indonesia. Follow the 4 step article below for a seamless Bali visa extension.
1. Apply for a Visa On Arrival at the Airport
The first step to a visa extension in Bali actually happens before you even leave the airport. Once you land in Denpasar and before you pass through immigration, visit the Visa on Arrival desk. There are signs overhead pointing to VOA desks located on both the right and left hand sides of the arrival hall.
American citizens do not technically need to apply for a Visa on Arrival. However, only Visa on Arrival holders are allowed to apply for a 30 day visa extension in Bali. The VOA process is fairly easy, all you need to do is fill out a form and submit two passport sized photos of yourself, along with $35 USD to be paid only in cash. Many currencies are accepted including USD, INR, AUD, etc. There is not an ATM in the arrivals hall, so make sure you bring cash with you!
VOA Checklist: 2 Passport Sized Photos, $35 USD Per Person in Cash (Major Currencies Accepted), Photocopy of your Passport, Visa on Arrival Application (Provided at Airport)
2. Day 1 – Submit your Visa Extension Application at Immigration
The process for visa extension in Bali is a 3 day event which spans over the course of 7-9 days. On Day 1, head to the Immigration office that is closest to where you are staying in Bali. If you go to an immigration office outside of your temporary residence area, you may get turned away. We stayed in Sanur, so we went to the Denpasar office which is the largest and busiest office. A map to the Denpasar Immigration office can be found below and operates from 8am – 3pm. However, we recommend getting there before 11am to ensure you get your paperwork done before the lunch break from 12-1pm.
To find the correct area, follow the signs that say Foreign Applicants. In Denpasar, it is inside the main entrance to the right. Once you find the correct area, take a number (starting with A) and have a seat. When your number is called, the Immigration Officer will hand you a pink folder with all of the paperwork you need to fill out. Most fields are in Bahasa (Indonesian) so google translate will come in handy here. Once you’re done filling out your paperwork, head back up to the same immigration officer. There is no need to wait again for your number to be called. Lastly, hand your officer the pink folder along with 2 passport sized photos, a photocopy of your passport, photocopy of your VOA, and a photocopy of Outbound Flight leaving Indonesia. You will receive a receipt stating your next appointment date. Make sure you come back on that date for Day #2 and don’t lose your receipt!
Day 1 Checklist: Photocopy of your Passport, Photocopy of your VOA, Photocopy of Outbound Flight leaving Indonesia, Black Ink Pen, Google Translate App.
3. Day 2 – Get your Photo Taken and Pay for your Visa Extension in Bali
Day 2 of getting your visa extension in Bali is fairly easy, however we recommend arriving close to opening time at 8 or 9am. If you arrive later than 10am (like we did) your number might not be called before lunch break. First things first, walk up to Counter 4 “Reporting for Photo” and hand the officer your receipt from Day 1. He/she will give you a payment slip. Take this payment slip outside to the big orange van (you can’t miss it) to pay. Note: the van will only accept cash payments in INR. After paying, you will be given a receipt to take back up to Counter 4. Once you show Counter 4 proof of payment, the immigration officer will give you your number (starting in C).
Next step is to take a seat and hope that your number gets called before lunch! Once your number is called, head to your designated Photo Counter on the far left side of the room for pictures and fingerprints. Although waiting for your number to be called can take a while, the actual photo process is very quick. Lastly, you will be given a receipt stating a date to come back and pick up your passport. foods at the Chatuchak Market!
Day 2 Checklist: $355,000 INR in Cash, Day 1 Immigration Receipt
3. Day 3 – 4. Pick up your Passport at Immigration
Day 3 is the fastest day at immigration and shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. All you have to do is bring your receipt from Day 2 up to Counter 4 “Documents Retrieval”. Next, hand your receipt to the immigration officer and take a seat. Once your name is called (no number today), you will sign a release and have your passport back in your hands with your new visa extension in Bali!
Day 3 Checklist: Receipt from Day 2
So now you know exactly how to get a visa extension in Bali. The Indonesian visa extension process is the same all across the country, however we only have experience extending a visa in Bali. You also have the option of hiring a visa extension service, but they will have full access to your passport and personal information. If you choose to go this route, please make sure you read plenty of reviews on the company before trusting someone with your entire identity. Leave your comment down below if you have any questions about how to get a visa extension in Bali! If you’re interested in travel blogs and information on other destinations across the world, click here to read more.