Bali Visa – No Quarantine & VOA Back

The mandatory quarantine requirements will end effective Monday, 07 March 2022. Visa-on-arrival (VOA) available again!

A meeting convened by the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, who also serves as the National COVID-19 Czar, Luhut Bisnar Pandjaitan, was held on Friday, 04 March to decide that the mandatory quarantine requirements will end effective Monday, 07 March 2022. Also, on that date, direct international travelers arriving in Bali by sea or air will be eligible to receive a visa-on-arrival at their port of entry.

The new date advances the original plans to end the quarantine by seven days and responds to intensive lobbying by Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster.

As reported by Balipost.com, the resumption of the Bali Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) will initially only be available for the citizens of 23 countries, namely: 

• Australia
• U.S.A.
• U.K.
• Germany
• The Netherlands
• France
• Qatar
• Japan
• South Korea
• Canada
• Italy
• New Zealand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Singapore
• Brunei Darussalam
• Vietnam
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia
• The Philippines

Following the coordination meeting, Minister Luhut stated that Bali was chosen as the trial-test destination for lifting the quarantine requirement and reintroducing VOA because of the comparatively high level of vaccination achieved by the Province.

While reopening Bali to international tourism, the government will continue to accelerate the administration of second and booster dosages of COVID-19 vaccine for the aged. Luhut added: “If the Bali Visa test trial in Bali goes well, the government will widen the elimination of the quarantine for all of Indonesia beginning on 01 April 2022. Once again, this policy will be based on developing data on the continuing pandemic.”

Entry Requirements

International travelers arriving in Bali must have:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of the visit.
• A visa if the traveler is not an Indonesian citizen or from one of the 23 countries listed above eligible for a visa-on-arrival.
• Proof of full vaccination, including booster shot.
• A “negative” result of a PCR Swab test administered before their departure.
• Proof of a prepaid booking for at least the first four days of their stay.
• Undergoing an additional PCR Swab test upon arrival in Bali.

Travelers testing “negative” for COVID-19 upon arrival in Bali are free to continue to destinations across Bali. Those testing positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate at an approved quarantine hotel until they can produce a “negative” test result. Elderly travelers suffering from co-morbidities will be hospitalized. If on the third day of their hospital stay, they test negative for COVID-19, they can then start their Bali holiday. 

Bali Visa – International travelers are still required to have health insurance that provides coverage for COVID-19 treatment.

Those applying for an e-visa no longer need to provide an Indonesian sponsor.

Following the meeting, Bali’s Governor ordered all regents across Bali and the single mayor to accelerate providing booster shot administration.

Difference in VOA & Visitor Visas Explained

The Directorate General of Immigration clarifies the differences between a visa-on-arrival (VOA) for tourism and a visitor visa, such as the B211A.  

The clarification comes as Indonesia has resumed the visa-on-arrival for the citizens of 23 countries arriving in Bali, effective 07 March 2022. 

As reported by the State News Agency Antara, Tourism authorities underline that the VOA provides for a shorter length of stay than the Visitor’s Visa.

The sub-coordinator for public relations from the Director-General of Immigration, Achmad Nur Saleh, issued a written statement on Monday, 07 March 2022, in which he explained: “Foreign tourists using a VOA are allowed a shorter period of stay than those traveling on a B211A visitor visa.” 

Saleh elaborated that a VOA is valid for 30 days but can be extended one time for an additional 30 days. Meanwhile, a B211A visitor visa can be given for an initial 60 days and extended up to four times to permit a maximum stay of 180 days. 

Another significant difference between a VOA and a visitor’s visa is that VOA can not be altered or upgraded into another visa class. On the other hand, a visitor’s visa can, in principle, be converted into a temporary stay permit (ITAS). 

Continuing, Saleh said: “A VOA is available without the need for a guarantor or sponsor. That is one of the reasons why a VOA cannot be converted into an ITAS. To obtain a VOA for tourism, foreign visitors need to prepare a passport that will remain valid for six months and have a ticket to leave Indonesia at the end of their stay.

Published Blog 22.03.2022: Bali Visa

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