Australians to be booted from Bali as international visa deadline looms

Thousands of Australians living in Bali have weeks to return home after a change in Indonesia’s stance on tourist visas due to the pandemic.

Thousands of Australians in Bali are trying to return home from the holiday island before an extension on their expired tourist visas comes to an end.

About 3000 Australian tourists are among those who have been allowed to stay in Bali on expired tourist visas due to travel restrictions throughout the pandemic.

But earlier this month they were told the Indonesian government’s amnesty on the expired visas would end on August 12, meaning they had to leave before then or risk fines of $100 per day if they stayed.

The foreigners have been granted a 30-day extension but will still have to be out of Bali by September 10, one day before Bali reopens to international tourists, Sky News reports.

Australians who choose to continue living in Bali will have to return home and reapply for a new living permit.

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A health worker sprays disinfectant in the Bali area of Sanur in March. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

The lack of international flights and border shutdowns due to the pandemic mean popular ways of extending stays in Bali – such as reapplying for a visa in Singapore, which is less than two flying hours away – is no longer an option.

“The problem is of course Singapore has a lot of problems with COVID-19, trying to get flights and it’s expensive,” Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor told The West Live earlier this month.

“The better option would be for Aussies to do what they perhaps should have done … is to get on a flight back home but when you consider Garuda Indonesia are the only airline flying between Bali and Australia and they are down to about one or two flights a week covering all capitals.”

Garuda is operating a limited schedule between Australia and Indonesia. Picture: Ihwan Idamin Harahap/AFP

More than 1200 Australians signed a petition calling on the Indonesian government to change the rules so they could renew their visas without needing to leave the country, the Australian Financial Review reported last week.

Meanwhile, authorities in Western Australia are preparing for the influx of the Australians returning from the holiday island, 9 News reports.

Des O’Driscoll, who has lived in Bali for 18 months, said the situation was “scary and confusing”.

“You’ve built a life here, dogs here, some people in relationships with locals – not married – still have to leave the country,” he told 9 News.

“It’s quite scary, it’s confusing. You feel quite vulnerable.”

Foreign tourists near a closed beach in Kuta on May 29. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

Bali will reopen to international visitors on September 11, however Australians have been warned to stay away as our own borders remain closed to non-essential outgoing travellers.

“Do not travel to Indonesia, including Bali,” the Department of Foreign Affairs advises on its Smartraveller website.

“If you’re an Australian visitor in Indonesia leave now – don’t delay.”

Travel booking sites show return tickets cost at least $1000 after September 11 and until travel restrictions are lifted by DFAT, Australians will be unable to buy travel insurance.

Australians are also advised if they become infected with COVID-19 in Indonesia they are not guaranteed health care.