Aussies warned not to make this mistake when travelling to Bali
Some tourists heading to Bali are being ripped off before they’ve even landed on the popular holiday island.
Tourists are being warned not to be ripped off when getting their visas for Bali online.
And if they prefer to get their visa at the airport upon landing, they are reminded to ensure they have three vital things on hand: a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, proof of a ticket to travel back out of Indonesia, and the ability to pay the fee for the visa.
Australian tourists can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Bali Airport or online before even landing in Indonesia (e-VOA), which allows them to stay for 30 days, with option to extend for another 30 days, and costs about $50 (IDR 500,000).
But there have been reports that Australians who are trying to get the e-VOA have been ripped off after accidentally using unofficial sites.
Through these unofficial sites, tourists are said to be unknowingly paying expensive agency fees for someone else to essentially fill out the same online form as what is on the official website, which tourists can do themselves.
Sometimes they get an overpriced visa in return and other times, an invalid one or nothing.
A general information page on the official visa portal, run by the Directorate General of Immigration Ministry of Law and Human Rights, even acknowledges the scams.
“There are numerous websites which claim to assist users in receiving Indonesian Visitor Visa in return for a service charge,” it says.
“These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Indonesian government. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for any misuse of information or failure of service on their side.”
Some Australians have claimed on social media they have paid more than $150 on unofficial websites by accident.
“This has been a topic of conversation every week for months yet some still get caught out,” one traveller noted on Facebook a few months ago.
And it appears the issue has continued.
Local English news site The Bali Sun shared a reminder again this week there was only one official website for the e-VOA after months of complaints.
Australian government visa advice
Smartraveller advises: “You can apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) no later than 48 hours prior to travelling to Indonesia. Check the e-VOA requirements from Indonesian Immigration before applying.
“You can still apply for a regular Visa on Arrival (VOA) at certain international airports, seaports and land crossings, including Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Makassar, Lombok, Batam, Medan, Manado, Tanjung Pinang and Yogyakarta, if you do not apply for an e-VOA at least 48 hours in advance of your travel to Indonesia,” it said.
The e-VOA and VOA cost IDR 500,000 (about $50), with the e-VOA charging a small online processing fee.
Bali’s new ‘Golden Visa’
Indonesia will launch a “Golden Visa” this year with the hopes it will help boost the economy.
The new visa category is aimed at foreigners who want to live and invest in Bali — it’s a residency-by-investment style policy for those who wish to make Indonesia their second home while making a financial contribution.
It will allow those who are eligible prolonged stays of five-to-10 years.
“We want to make sure that the Golden Visa offer is attractive for foreign tourists to invest and stay longer in Indonesia,” Minster for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, said.
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