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Bali visa deadline looms: How to avoid visas getting suspended
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Australians who chose to stay in Bali amid the pandemic have been given until Thursday to leave, or face a daily fine until they renew their visa correctly.
Australians who have been staying on the popular island of Bali have been given until Thursday to leave, as the Indonesian government cracks down on foreigners who have overstayed their visas.
According to reports, some seven thousand expats have sheltered in Bali since coronavirus forced it to lockdown. While the island has now reopened to domestic travel, international arrivals – including visitors from Australia – are still off the cards.
But last month, Aussie expats on the island were told the amnesty on the expired visas would end on August 20, meaning they will have to leave before then or risk fines of $100 per day if they stay.
Australians have until Thursday to leave Bali or face daily $100 fines. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFPSource:AFP
On Australia’s smartraveller website, the latest update stipulates that Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) will no longer automatically extend expired visas or stay permits under COVID-19 emergency arrangements.
“Overstaying your permit may result in fines, detention and/or deportation,” the website reads.
As flight options to Australia are already very limited, given the Federal Government’s cap on daily international arrivals into ports around the country, there are fears departures from Bali may reduce further.
The lack of international flights and border shutdowns due to the pandemic mean popular ways of extending stays in Bali – such as reapplying for a visa in Singapore, which is less than two flying hours away – are no longer an option.
“The problem is of course Singapore has a lot of problems with COVID-19, trying to get flights and it’s expensive,” Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor told The West Live podcast earlier this month.
Time is ticking for expats who have called Bali home during the pandemic.Source:Getty Images
“The better option would be for Aussies to do what they perhaps should have done … is to get on a flight back home.”
But, he said: “Garuda Indonesia are the only airline flying between Bali and Australia and they are down to about one or two flights a week covering all capitals.”
Authorities in Western Australia are preparing for an influx of Australians returning from the holiday island, 9 News reports.
Des O’Driscoll, who has lived in Bali for 18 months, said the situation was “scary and confusing”.
“You’ve built a life here, dogs here, some people in relationships with locals – not married – still have to leave the country,” he told 9 News.
“It’s quite scary; it’s confusing. You feel quite vulnerable.”
Expats in Bali will need to apply for a new visa or risk paying a $100 daily fine. Picture: iStockSource:istock
Speaking to the ABC, Aussie expat Leah Seymour is one of the thousands of Australians who were told they could stay in Bali.
Ms Seymour was told that she would need to apply for monthly visa extensions or switch to a social visa which means the applicant needs a local resident to sponsor them and fill out the bureaucratic paperwork. Those who ignore and don’t apply, or have their documents rejected will be required to leave Indonesia by Wednesday night or pay $100 a day in fines.
“When the pandemic hit, the Indonesian government basically said those that are here can stay on an emergency visa and it was free,” Ms Seymour said.
International flights in and out of Bali have been banned throughout the pandemic, meaning anyone wanting to travel outside Indonesia will need to fly through Jakarta.
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