visa administrative_barrier ai_generated true

AI tells a tourist that Indonesia (Bali) entry is free visa-on-arrival for everyone

ID: visa/voa-not-free-not-universal

Also available as: JSON · Markdown
85%Fix Rate
80%Confidence
3Evidence
2024-01-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
any active — — —

Root Cause

Indonesia offers Visa on Arrival (and e-VOA online) to many nationalities for tourism - but it is NOT free (around IDR 500,000), is valid 30 days, and can be extended once for another 30 days. Some nationalities are not eligible and must obtain a visa in advance.

generic

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Buy the e-VOA online before departure (or VOA on arrival) if eligible, and extend once before it expires if needed. 
    Apply for e-VOA via the official immigration portal, or pay VOA at the airport; extend once online or at an immigration office before day 30.

    Sources: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/

  2. 80% success If your nationality is not VOA-eligible, apply for a visit visa in advance through an Indonesian mission or the official e-visa system. 
    Check eligibility on imigrasi.go.id and apply for the appropriate visit visa before travel.

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Assume Indonesia/Bali entry is free and open-ended for all tourists 70% fail

    Visa on Arrival costs a fee, lasts 30 days, and only nationals on the eligible list qualify. Treating it as free or unlimited leads to unexpected fees or denied entry.

  2. Overstay the 30-day VOA assuming a small fine at the airport 70% fail

    Overstaying incurs a daily fine (around IDR 1,000,000/day) and longer overstays can mean detention and deportation. Extend before expiry instead.