Indonesia introduces new Bridging Visa for foreigners in the country

Australians will benefit from a new visa change by Indonesian officials aimed at luring more visitors into the country.

Indonesian officials have announced the launch of a new visa which will make it easier for long-stay holidaymakers to extend their trip.

The visa, also referred to as a Bridging Visa, will now allow foreigners to renew their residence permits without having to leave the country during the process.

Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim said the new policy applies to foreigners who have Visit Stay Permits or holders of Limited Stay Permits and Permanent Stay Permits.

The news will come as welcome relief for Australians who can now avoid having to go through the reapplication process outside of the country and be left in limbo for weeks until they await confirmation their renewal has worked.

“In this way, it is possible for foreign citizens holding a Visit Stay Permit to submit it via visa.immigration.go.id to obtain a Limited Stay Permit without having to leave Indonesian territory,” Mr Karim said in a statement.

Indonesian officials have announced the launch of a new visa which will make it easier for long-stay holidaymakers to extend their trip.

“With a Transitional Stay Permit, foreigners can save time, energy, and accommodation costs that would otherwise be incurred if foreigners had to leave Indonesian territory in order to submit an application and wait for approval for a new visa.”

To apply for the Transitional Residence Permit, foreigners must make an application on the website at least three days before their current visa expires.

Mr Karim said that this new policy is part of the Directorate General of Immigration’s efforts to “create legal certainty” for foreigners and facilitate the immigration administration process in Indonesia.

He said the government hopes it will support a more “efficient and comfortable” stay for foreigners while in Indonesia, as well as increase international trust in the country’s immigration procedures.

The news will come as welcome relief for thousands of tourists, including Aussies.

The Transitional Residence Permit is valid for 60 days and only applies to foreigners who are already residing in Indonesia.

Mr Karim said foreigners who have been granted a Transitional Stay Permit would not be subject to overstay fines if their application is approved after the previous stay permit expires, provided that they have made the application at least three days before the original visa expires.

In Indonesia, overstaying visas are taken seriously with tourists urged to always double-check the day their visa expires as soon as they arrive into the country to avoid being fined, detained, deported, or have future travel banned.

The Transitional Visa, or Badgering Visa, can be used by foreigners who are currently residing in Indonesia on a limited-stay visa. This new Bridging Visa can be used alongside the Golden Visa, some student visas, and Limited Stay Visas.