Indonesia’s Immigration Revolution: Online Services and Extended Visas

Indonesia’s immigration services are undergoing a significant transformation led by Director General Silmy Karim, with the aim of providing a world-class experience for citizens, expats, and tourists. Recent initiatives include the introduction of an online visa permit extension service through visa-online.imigrasi.go.id

This new service streamlines and accelerates the stay permit extension process, eliminating the need for in-person visits to the immigration office. Various visas, including those for holidays, family visits, and transit, can now be extended online, with the permit delivered directly to the applicant’s email.

Following successful trials, Karim announced that this feature will be operational from December 31, 2023, showcasing the department’s commitment to digitalization and responsiveness to community needs.

Looking ahead to 2024, further updates are expected in Bali’s immigration system. The recently launched 5-year multiple-entry D1 and D2 visas, designed for tourism and business purposes, mark a significant improvement. These visas can be conveniently applied for online, aligning with the Directorate General of Immigration’s focus on making visa processes faster, easier, and more efficient, in line with the President’s digitalization directive. The D1 and D2 visas cost IDR 15,000,000 (approx USD 970) for over the five-year validity period.

As part of ongoing improvements, tourists planning trips to Bali are encouraged to apply for the eVisa on Arrival before arrival, providing a more seamless experience. Despite discussions about potential changes in visa-free travel, no legislative amendments have been implemented yet, emphasizing the commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the community.