Bali Entry Visa to Be Scrapped?

offal spokesman on 14/11/2014 - 14:27
Last edited 14/11/2014 - 14:39

Hi folks, i managed to get one of the elcheapo Jetstar flights to Bali ($113 return from Perth) YAY!!, then i discovered about the entry visa charge $35US BOO!..which annoyed me just because i didnt already know about it, and thats the OZB way. :)

However i read today that the government was looking at scrapping the visa charge for Aussies http://www.travelweekly.com.au/news/indonesia-could-scrap-to…

Does anyone know any more, are they scrapping it? if so when? if not.. is there any way around it?

Oh and while im here, any great tips/must know or do for Bali?

Edit: Just found this… http://www.smh.com.au/national/indonesia-prepares-to-welcome… that suggests its confirmed from the first of Jan, good news for all Ozbargainers :)

I still welcome any OZB tips and trick for the stay though

Travel

Comments

  • modsec802 on 14/11/2014 - 14:51
    -1

    Still have to pay 200,000R at the airport to leave that hell hole

  • PissLUR on 14/11/2014 - 14:54

    starting january 2015. thanks to the new minister. great move!

    and do you know that bali is not a country? its just one of the cities in Indonesia.

    • Almost Banned on 14/11/2014 - 17:19
      +2

      You do know that Bali is not a city?
      Its just one of the islands and provinces of Indonesia.

      • PissLUR on 14/11/2014 - 17:29

        lol. ;)

  • CyberMurning on 14/11/2014 - 15:04

    OP it was always $25 why you got charge $35?
    oh increased http://www.bali.com/news-visa-on-arrival-fees-increase.html

    also, this scrapping things, for Indonesia, not just for visiting Bali :) please do visit other cities!

    To answer: "Oh and while im here, any great tips/must know or do for Bali?" —> avoid drugs, alcohol, and speeding.

    • ozy on 15/11/2014 - 09:34
      +1

      Agreed on drugs and speeding. Hell, dont even drive on the road if you dont know the streets or the very different road rules.
      Stupid aussies get scooters (generally pissed) and crash everday. Ask a bluebird taxi driver about the accidents they see, or ask a local!
      Alcohol is no different there then it is here.
      Arak is local spirt (moonshine) and just like any moonshine, its hit and miss in strength. Delicious, but moderate.

      Shopping in set priced stores means your set to pay higher.
      Barter, its the way of life there so respect the culture of the country you visit.
      The upsell to tourists can annoy some, especially if your just browsing a shop, (they are just trying to make a dollar to eat) so a simple "Jalan jalan saga" (i'm just looking) will ease the hard sell.

      If your looking for breath taking accomodation, stay at Karma Kandara (if you can afford it)
      Otherwise seminyak is cheap, full of fun, and away from the bogan Australians in Kuta who make you feel ashamed to be one.
      Balinese people, like us, like it when people try to speak the local language so try to have common words memorised or in your phone for quick reference!
      Totaly jelly your flights were so cheap!
      Have fun

  • stargalaxy on 14/11/2014 - 15:45

    I would suggest go to Nusa Dua to do parasailling, jetskiing, etc as well as book a local day tour to the mountain, think it cost less than 1 million rupiah whole day including driver.

    • donga100 on 14/11/2014 - 19:22

      It costs a lot less than 1 million unless you agree to their first price. Standard price for a decent van or 4wd with aircon is around 300-400k for 8 hours. If you don't feel like bartering you can get the same price from the tour desk at Tune Hotel Kuta.

  • Almost Banned on 14/11/2014 - 17:20

    Check the Bali forum on Tripadvisor.
    Very helpful people and lots of information including a list of top things to do in Bali.

    • donga100 on 14/11/2014 - 19:23

      Also search for Bali shopping/price list or fixed price stores. It will make your shopping experience a lot more pleasant and less filled with regret.

  • backpaqer on 15/11/2014 - 07:22

    Have a blast :p

  • offal spokesman on 17/11/2014 - 22:14

    Cheers everyone :)

  • Almost Banned on 18/11/2014 - 13:58

    Just to add one more thing…
    negotiating over a price - like one does at many places in Bali - is called 'haggling'.
    When you exchange goods and services (not money) for other goods and services it is called 'bartering'.
    So, unless you are offering to swap your goods or services for their stuff you are not BARTERING in Bali!
    Ugh = that really annoys me.

  • offal spokesman on 12/02/2015 - 18:34

    Just in case anyone was interested. Just found out that the VISA is NOT being scrapped for aussies.

    A message dated January 26th 2015, says they are NOT scrapping for aussies, so its $35 US per person to go in.

    http://www.bali.com/news-visa-on-arrival-fees-increase.html

    • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2015 - 22:38

      This is correct. Every country in that via pool (such as japan etc) got scrapped. Except for Australia.
      But that was to be expected. When Australia starts treating Indonesia with more respect, then we might see a change.

      Source. Lived in Indo and Go to Bali 4 times a year. :)

  • DealzEddy123 on 16/02/2015 - 11:53

    according to this website, visa still required???:

    http://www.kemlu.go.id/canberra/Pages/ServiceDisplay.aspx?ID…

    • bonezAU on 16/02/2015 - 12:00
      +2

      The free visa is not going to happen for Aus citizens.

      The Indonesian government wanted a deal with the Australian government to drop visa fees for Indonesian citizens visiting here too.

      It's still USD $35 / ~$48-50 AUD and doesn't look to change.

      If an Indonesian tourist wants to come to Australia, they have to pay a $130 AUD visa application charge + extra courier charges if required, submit all sorts of inconvenient documentation including mailing their physical passport to the Embassy in Jakarta or Bali, wait 2-4 weeks and then pray that they will be granted a visa. There is no way the Australian government would drop visa fees or make the process any easier for them, because Indonesia is considered a "high risk" country.

  • brisbanegirl on 26/02/2015 - 12:10

    Yep no visa fee for Aussies scraped and now fast track has been put on hold, arriving in Bali next week and had booked fast track so now back to snail pace.
    Blame our doh politicians for both of those things.

  • backpaqer on 27/02/2015 - 09:57

    Handy that I have British and Aussie passports. Just use whichever is cheaper.

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