Indonesian Visa Discussion (Including Bali)

[luxury-lizard]

Well I just completed applying for a VOA for Bali (in advance of travel) - here are a few traps if you've never done this before:-

You must supply the name and address of your hotel (there are multiple address fields, including things like province, city, village, immigation office - !!??)) - all you need to do is (assuming you are staying in a hotel/resort) is enter the name of your hotel EXACTLY as shown on your booking and the web site will complete the other fields for you - but if you make any kind of error in the hotel name (even a typo which you backspace over and correct) this does not work - there is no way to get past this point. You must start the whole application over from scratch.

Once your application is completed and you have paid your fee online you receive and e-mail stating that your visa has been approved and you should download it using the huge DOWNLOAD button - this does not work - in fact the visa is attached as a PDF to the e-mail.

I must say this whole process took me hours to figure out (I had a few other issues which I won't bore you with - just to say be very careful with every field because if you try to EDIT your application - you essentially need to start over from scratch).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Perhaps worth mentioning too that the biggest trap will be the ‘shadow’ visa sites that look official, but pretty much just full out your application for you. But costing you hundreds of dollars more.

A friend of mine panicked with the customs declaration which according to the shadow site they found said had to be completed three days before arrival. Costing them AUD300 for the two. This is of course free, and can be completed anytime right up to the customs check in bali. But the shadow site itself needed three days!

Expensive lesson

 

[Pushka]

It worked well for us and currently in Bali. The VOA queue at DPS was quiet. It's the customs declaration two days prior that created the angst for those who hadn't done this in advance. So many people trying to go online at the airport.

When exiting with luggage, join the queue on the left. We were through in 60 seconds. Right side - much longer and barely moving.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well I just completed applying for a VOA for Bali (in advance of travel) - here are a few traps if you've never done this before:-

Perhaps worth mentioning too that the biggest trap will be the ‘shadow’ visa sites that look official,

Might be very helpful to post link to official site so as to assist others?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Might be very helpful to post link to official site so as to assist others?

The official customs declaration site is here, courtesy of Qantas: https://www.qantas.com/travelready/destinations/indonesia.html

I’m going via the QF site so that any changes will be automatically updated there.

We didn’t use e-VOA for our last trip, so don’t know the official site for that. We’re old skool… fast track + paid VOA!

 

[luxury-lizard]

Other posters - would you recommend "Bali Fast Track" - seems a bit exxy at $US52 for 2 persons - but I go crazy waiting in queues and our flight only arrives at 18:50 so we'll keen to be on our way. The same service with car transfer to hotel jumps to $US115 (for fast track and transfer) - our hotel offers a transfer service for $200.

 

[SYD]

Might be very helpful to post link to official site so as to assist others?

Book mark this thread for a listing official sites!

Official E-Visa/ESTA websites by country

So after reading this SMH article, (Even the most experienced travellers are falling for these online visa scams) I thought it would be good to have a sticky on the official goverment websites for getting VISAs etc. Australia: Immigration and citizenship Website Cambodia: evisa.gov.kh/home...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

The VOA queue at DPS was quiet.

Where exactly was that queue? When we arrived a couple of weeks ago we were directed to one of the several slow moving queues in the centre and to the left (after the desks where people were lining up to pay for their VOAs. On the right looked like queues for residents only.

You must supply the name and address of your hotel (there are multiple address fields, including things like province, city, village, immigation office - !!??)) - all you need to do is (assuming you are staying in a hotel/resort) is enter the name of your hotel EXACTLY as shown on your booking and the web site will complete the other fields for you -

Yes, I did a double take when I saw that for the first time. From memory, it’s the street address that populates the details although I probably did enter the hotel names in full.

 

[Pushka]

Book mark this thread for a listing official sites!

Official E-Visa/ESTA websites by country

So after reading this SMH article, (Even the most experienced travellers are falling for these online visa scams) I thought it would be good to have a sticky on the official goverment websites for getting VISAs etc. Australia: Immigration and citizenship Website Cambodia: evisa.gov.kh/home...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Where exactly was that queue? When we arrived a couple of weeks ago we were directed to one of the several slow moving queues in the centre and to the left (after the desks where people were lining up to pay for their VOAs. On the right looked like queues for residents only.

Yes, I did a double take when I saw that for the first time. From memory, it’s the street address that populates the details although I probably did enter the hotel names in full.

Customs official site two days prior to arrival.

Official Website Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai

Official Website Direktorat Jendral Bea dan Cukai

ecd.beacukai.go.id

When you walk into the arrivals hall from the left, there's a sign stating VOA and you walk into the centre of the hall towards the small desk there. It wasn't busy at all so if you've already got the visa it's likely you can miss it if so. It's just a desk if quiet. We kept walking on the left side until it opens out into the main imigrations hall. And used the lanes in the middle. It was quiet. I think there's a family and oldies lane to the left of this but we didn't bother as it was so quiet.

Walked though and Into the baggage area where our luggage was already there then walked quickly through customs. Those who didnt do the customs form online were all lining up around the desks here while we walked straight through and had the code ready to show.

We were off the plane and with the driver within 30 minutes. This was. 9.30pm on a Friday night.

Post automatically merged: Aug 27, 2023

Other posters - would you recommend "Bali Fast Track" - seems a bit exxy at $US52 for 2 persons - but I go crazy waiting in queues and our flight only arrives at 18:50 so we'll keen to be on our way. The same service with car transfer to hotel jumps to $US115 (for fast track and transfer) - our hotel offers a transfer service for $200.

It's so random. We certainly didn't need it. Check that it's actually operating as I'd read it was stopped.

 

[SYD]

When you walk into the arrivals hall from the left, there's a sign stating VOA and you walk into the centre of the hall towards the small desk there.

That look like the desk to pay for your VOA if you hadn’t done it online….

It’s really not signposted very well at all. CGK was marginally better.

It's so random. We certainly didn't need it. Check that it's actually operating as I'd read it was stopped.

The guy that directed us to a regular immigration line also offer the paid Fastrack service….

 

[Pushka]

That look like the desk to pay for your VOA if you hadn’t done it online….

It’s really not signposted very well at all. CGK was marginally better.

The guy that directed us to a regular immigration line also offer the paid Fastrack service….

That sounds a bit, um, dodgeville.

 

[SYD]

That sounds a bit, um, dodgeville.

But he was wearing a Batik shirt - must have been legit….

 

[Gold Member]

I’ve found that after entering the postcode for eVoA (instead of the hotel name), all of the subsequent location fields auto populate. It must be a recent thing because this feature wasn’t there several months ago.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry folks, can I be the complete numpty and take the conversation back a bit? Never been to Indonesia, but going in a month.

There seems to be two different "Visa on Arrivals". One, used by @luxury-lizard and @Pushka where you apply and pay beforehand, and the other, used by @MEL_Traveller where you apply and pay at the arrival airport.

Is that correct?

Second, regarding 'fast track'. Is that only if you need to apply and pay for the VoA on arrival, or for both types? I get that if the airport is quiet, it may be superfluous, but as I'm arriving late-ish and have a long transfer to my hotel, I'd be inclined to use it with a pre-paid and applied for VoA.

Separately, could someone please describe the geography of finding one's pre-arranged transfer driver. I know (hope!) they'll have instructions, but I've had so many dodgy ones, I'd like it from the passenger point of view.

After leaving the customs hall, you then see .... and drivers are waiting ... etc. Thanks!

Also ATMs on arrival - any ... location? (hope you don't mind the diversion @luxury-lizard

 

[Pushka]

Yes correct. And there are also two distinct processes you need to do.

1. Visa. You can apply online for EVisa and pay the money or wait until you get to the airport and pay for the visa VOA (same price) as soon as you get to the arrivals hall. The desk will be to your left and as others have stated not well signposted.

2. Customs Declaration. Then two days prior you apply for the customs declaration online and this is free. That's the link I gave upthread. It's much much easier to do this before you leave, otherwise after you've cleared immigration you have to use your mobile device and the airports wifi to complete it online. I don't know why people wait until then as you just want to get going.

Fast track is something different again and I'd thought it had been stopped. We sure didn't need it.

There are ATM's everywhere at the airport and even an area of multiple ATM's and outside in the streets.. Try to use a Bank one. Don't bother with a money changer even if 'authorised'. If you get your visa at the airport and pay cash then your change will be in rupiah.

It takes quite a walk once out of customs to get to the outside driver area, there are multiple SIM card sellers, ATM, tour touts, driving tours, duty free and so on. Just keep walking and winding your way round. You will know when you are in the pick up area, everyone is lined up layers deep and you have to find yours. Or grab a taxi.

Only use Bluebird Group taxis or hire a driver for the day with clear understanding of the total price.

 

[SYD]

Sorry folks, can I be the complete numpty and take the conversation back a bit? Never been to Indonesia, but going in a month.

There seems to be two different "Visa on Arrivals". One, used by @luxury-lizard and @Pushka where you apply and pay beforehand, and the other, used by @MEL_Traveller where you apply and pay at the arrival airport.

Is that correct?

Yes, they’re the same scam (“visa”) fee. I don‘t understand why peeps wait until arrival - maybe just ignorant or hoping the rules change in flight...

Second, regarding 'fast track'. Is that only if you need to apply and pay for the VoA on arrival, or for both types? I get that if the airport is quiet, it may be superfluous, but as I'm arriving late-ish and have a long transfer to my hotel, I'd be inclined to use it with a pre-paid and applied for VoA.

No, by all accounts it’s someone who holds your hand while paying off someone else….

Separately, could someone please describe the geography of finding one's pre-arranged transfer driver. I know (hope!) they'll have instructions, but I've had so many dodgy ones, I'd like it from the passenger point of view.

After leaving the customs hall, you then see .... and drivers are waiting ... etc. Thanks!

There is an absolute scrum of sign bearing drivers across the road as you exit. Maybe someone can post a photo. We just booked a car on arrival (before you exit) and saw the mosh pit of drivers as we were led to our car.

Also ATMs on arrival - any ... location? (hope you don't mind the diversion @luxury-lizard

There‘s money changers immediately after customs. I wasn’t looking that closely but I recall seeing ATMs. Others may have specific advice on which to use/avoid?

 

[Pushka]

Yes, they’re the same scam (“visa”) fee. I don‘t understand why peeps wait until arrival - maybe just ignorant or hoping the rules change in flight...

No, by all accounts it’s someone who holds your hand while paying off someone else….

There is an absolute scrum of sign bearing drivers across the road as you exit. Maybe someone can post a photo. We just booked a car on arrival (before you exit) and saw the mosh pit of drivers as we were led to our car.

There‘s money changers immediately after customs. I wasn’t looking that closely but I recall seeing ATMs. Others may have specific advice on which to use/avoid?

yes, we booked a driver from the Hotel and we knew what their uniform would look like. Amongst the scrum we spotted him immediately. Yes, there are multiple ATM.

 

[Scarlett]

Sorry folks, can I be the complete numpty and take the conversation back a bit? Never been to Indonesia, but going in a month.

There seems to be two different "Visa on Arrivals". One, used by @luxury-lizard and @Pushka where you apply and pay beforehand, and the other, used by @MEL_Traveller where you apply and pay at the arrival airport.

Is that correct?

Second, regarding 'fast track'. Is that only if you need to apply and pay for the VoA on arrival, or for both types? I get that if the airport is quiet, it may be superfluous, but as I'm arriving late-ish and have a long transfer to my hotel, I'd be inclined to use it with a pre-paid and applied for VoA.

Separately, could someone please describe the geography of finding one's pre-arranged transfer driver. I know (hope!) they'll have instructions, but I've had so many dodgy ones, I'd like it from the passenger point of view.

After leaving the customs hall, you then see .... and drivers are waiting ... etc. Thanks!

Also ATMs on arrival - any ... location? (hope you don't mind the diversion @luxury-lizard

Describing last night:
Walk down jet bridge off plane and follow signs to immi and baggage.
There were some staff in red/maroon batik uniforms shortly after exiting the jet bridge holding signs with pax names. I assume these are the fast track people. They appear to just chaperone you through the airport. I guess they walk you to the front of any queues.

VoA as described by Pushka. There is only one VoA and it’s your choice whether to do before online or at the airport.

Bea Cukai ECD (e-customs declaration) can be done any time from two days before arrival up to approaching the customs desk. I do it whilst taxiing in or waiting for bags because I have a local sim and data.

After having your ECD QR code scanned at customs you either get sent left and wander toward the exit, or right toward baggage scanning machines.

After this little hall you follow a little winding corridor with multiple banks and ATMs as well as the SIM card telco shops. Never used them personally as I already have a local sim and bank.

Then you go through a duty free shop (I think) come around the corner and will likely see about 200 drivers all holding up signs (pieces of paper mostly - hand written) with names on it. Last night I saw my name after about 10m and scanning about 25 signs from right to left.

Oh, and get a tshirt made up that says: No, I don’t want a taxi. Or Tidak mau taksi if you’re only going to wear it in Indonesia. Or just ignore the 14,000 offers you’ll get from all of the touts. One of which was even airside between immi and the baggage hall…

 

[RooFlyer]

1. Visa. You can apply online for EVisa and pay the money or wait until you get to the airport and pay for the visa VOA (same price) as soon as you get to the arrivals hall. The desk will be to your left and as others have stated not well signposted.

That 'desk' is to get you post-arrival VoA. Then if you go that way, do you then join the e-VoA people in queuing for immigration officers? OR does the desk issue the visa, and process you, @MEL_Traveller ?

No, by all accounts it’s someone who holds your hand while paying off someone else….

Ah - so its an 'arrival' service? It doesn't get you to the head of the immigration queues?

There is an absolute scrum of sign bearing drivers across the road as you exit. Maybe someone can post a photo. We just booked a car on arrival (before you exit) and saw the mosh pit of drivers as we were led to our car.

Yeah, a scrum is what I was expecting!! So you exit the building and the drivers are corralled into a particular designated area? presumably somewhere here:



Presumably somewhere along here? 1)



or 2)



Sorry to be so enfeebled - I should start a thread "nightmare airport transfer pick-ups I've had".

Oh, and get a tshirt made up that says: No, I don’t want a taxi. Or Tidak mau taksi if you’re only going to wear it in Indonesia. Or just ignore the 14,000 offers you’ll get from all of the touts.

I need one of those for T1 at Melbourne Airport ...

 

[Pushka]

That 'desk' is to get you post-arrival VoA. Then if you go that way, do you then join the e-VoA people in queuing for immigration officers? OR does the desk issue the visa, and process you, @MEL_Traveller ?



Ah - so its an 'arrival' service? It doesn't get you to the head of the immigration queues?



Yeah, a scrum is what I was expecting!! So you exit the building and the drivers are corralled into a particular designated area? presumably somewhere here:



Presumably somewhere along here? 1)



or 2)

View attachment 340661

Sorry to be so enfeebled - I should start a thread "nightmare airport transfer pick-ups I've had".



I need one of those for T1 at Melbourne Airport ...

The drivers are in the last picture. Still inside the airport. But multiply the crowd, a lot.

It's actually all quite easy. Once you have your EVisa or VOA you all move through 'together' and everyone arrives at the immigration counter of which there are many. Keep walking to the left as people seem to join the queues in the middle. get back your passport, go collect your luggage, get your customs QR out (on mobile whether done on arrival or two days prior) and walk through to customs. As I said, go to the left queue. Much faster. Learnt this off a FB Bali page and it worked. The VOA desk just takes your money - issues the visa so you are now 'equivalent' to those who got their EVisa earler.

When you finally hit the drivers just walk along the row of them and find your name. They will take you outside and to their car.

 

[RooFlyer]

When you finally hit the drivers just walk along the row of them and find your name. They will take you outside and to their car.

Thanks; no worries; I'll get there. Unlike at Delhi, where I couldn't find my driver amongst the biggest scrum you could imagine. Had to call the company. Eventually found someone who spoke english. Eventually found the driver. "There were so many people there that I was waiting [at a spot over 50m away]".