If you’re planning an exciting trip down under to explore the tropics with us at our resort in Bali, you’re probably too busy planning your trip right now, booking flights, picking out your swimsuit, etc.
But amid all this, have you considered exactly how you’ll enter Indonesia after lockdown?
After going over all available travel resources, we’ve compiled an ultimate, up-to-date, and most importantly – comprehensive guide to both the mandatory Bali Tourism Levy and Visa on Arrival (VoA) processes required by Australian travellers. This will ensure you make it safely and stress-free through Ngurah Rai International Airport!
The Bali Tourism Levy | What It Is and How to Pay For It
The Bali International Tourist Levy was introduced with the intention of protecting the Island’s unique culture and environment.
It has been described as a mandatory tax paid by every single visitor to the Province of Bali, including children and infants, at the rate of IDR 150,000/person ($15 – 16AUD approx.) when they enter the province from abroad. This includes those who visit the nearby islands such as Lombok or Gili Islands (part of another province), but intend to come back to Bali.
You don’t have to pay this levy more than once per trip into Bali, as long as you keep the receipt from your first payment.
How to Pay for It Safely:
We recommend paying this fee before leaving Australia – there are long queues at the airport if you try to do it when you arrive. It’s technically possible but not recommended.
- Use the official channel: This means only going to the official website (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) or downloading their official smartphone application “Love Bali” from the Play Store. Avoid third-party websites offering services that charge an over-the-top ‘processing’ fee.
- Provide necessary details including your passport number, name, dates of arrival, and email address.
- Complete payment by credit card/bank transfer
The Bali Visa on Arrival (VoA) Options for Australians
You will need a visa if you are an Australian citizen wanting to visit Indonesia as a tourist.
The standard way to apply is either through the usual Visa on Arrival (VoA), or alternatively, through the more modern electronic version (e-VoA).
Both cost IDR 500,000 (~AUD$50), allow stays up to 30 days – which may then be extended by a further 30 days if necessary (so allowing a max 60-day stay).
Option A: The Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) – Highly Recommended
Apply online – You can now skip those long check-in queues and pay at airports if you opt for this method. All you need to do is apply online via the official Indonesian immigration website (molina.imigrasi.go.id) up to 48 hours before your departure.
All that’s required are two things: a digital copy of your passport data page (which should have at least 6months’ validity from the day you land on its soil). Also, you’d need a passport-sized photograph as well as a travel itinerary of onwards/return flights either into Australia or some other destination.
The perk here would be that upon approval, you don’t have to stop over at the manual visa counter anymore at Bali’s airport but instead just walk right past them onto the automatic e-gates!
Option B: Physical Visa on Arrival (VoA) at the Airport
If you prefer to sort it out when you arrive, just follow the signage towards the “Visa on Arrival” counters prior to hitting the immigration queues.
You have a couple of options for payment – you could pay with Australian Dollars (AUD) cash, Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) cash or Visa/Mastercard. If you choose the first option (paying in AUD cash), then your change will be returned to you in Rupiah (which isn’t great as it’ll usually be provided by the airport’s less than favourable exchange rate).
Your Final Departure Checklist
Here are some pre-flight requirements that need to be taken care of before booking a flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.
Passport Validity – Your passport should have at least 6 months’ validity left on its expiry date. If you arrive in Bali with an expired one, airlines will strictly reject your boarding.
Return Ticket – You need to carry proof of your confirmed return ticket back home to Australia or to another country where you’re planning to go next. Otherwise, they may hold you up.
The Love Bali QR Code – You have downloaded this code on your mobile to clear the check of tourism levy.
Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD) – Indonesia’s entire customs form process is now digital. Complete yours online here within three days of your flight, then pick up a unique QR code which must be scanned before exiting the airport. And there you have it. A seamless way to spend a few weeks exploring beautiful Bali.
Is it Really Worth Spending Time Preparing?
Or do you want to simply relax on the beaches of Seminyak with no worries about getting through the airport gates smoothly? EaseOnTrip does everything for you! From securing your visa right through to arranging your accommodation once on the ground. Explore our full range of curated, value-packed Bali Packages by clicking here to book your dream vacation.