Entering Indonesia used to be a patchwork of paper forms and agent-led shortcuts, but 2026 has ushered in a strictly digital era. The Directorate General of Immigration has consolidated all processes into a single e-Visa platform, enforcing a unified “one person, one visa” policy under Permenkumham 22/2023. While this streamlines the initial entry, it also closes the loopholes many long-term tourists and digital nomads relied on. The most significant shock for foreigners is the new requirement for mandatory in-person biometrics for every extension, effectively killing the “remote agent” service model.
Travelers and expats who fail to adapt to these changes face immediate consequences, from rejected applications to sudden deportation. The days of handing your passport to a runner and waiting at a beach club are over; now, the system demands your physical presence and precise data matching. Misunderstanding the new photo specifications or the proof of funds threshold can leave you stranded at the border or facing heavy overstay fines.
Mastering this new landscape is essential for anyone planning to visit or live in the archipelago. This guide breaks down the critical updates, from the consolidated e-Visa portal to the step-by-step biometric extension process. By understanding the specific Visa Application requirements and the new risk controls, you can ensure your stay in Bali is legal, stress-free, and fully compliant with the latest regulations.
Table of Contents
- Core Legal Changes: Permenkumham 22/2023 & IMI-417
- Standard Document Requirements for 2026
- Step-by-Step: Applying via the Official e-Visa Portal
- The New Hybrid Extension Process: Mandatory Biometrics
- Real Story: The "Remote Extension" Reject in Canggu
- Risk Controls: Single-Visa Rule and Sponsor Monitoring
- Common Application Mistakes and Penalties
- 2026 "Not Confirmed" Areas to Watch
- FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Rules
Core Legal Changes: Permenkumham 22/2023 & IMI-417
The foundation of the 2026 immigration regime rests on two critical regulations. First, Permenkumham 22/2023 establishes the “Single Visa” principle, meaning a foreigner can hold only one valid visa at a time. This eliminates the confusion of overlapping permits and creates a clear legal basis for your stay, whether it is a Visit Visa or a Limited Stay Visa (ITAS). All previous sub-categories like the Golden Visa or Family Reunion visa are now strictly nested under these two main classes.
Second, and most impactful for daily life, is Circular IMI-417.GR.01.01/2025. Effective since May 2025, this rule mandates that all stay permit extensions—whether for a tourist VoA or a working KITAS—require an in-person visit to the immigration office. The directive explicitly cancels the ability to process extensions remotely. This change aims to verify that the foreigner is physically present in Indonesia and to update biometric data, ensuring tighter security across all regions, especially in high-traffic hubs like Bali.
Standard Document Requirements for 2026
Success with the official e-Visa platform starts with impeccable documentation. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with at least two blank pages. For long-term ITAS applications, immigration officers may effectively require 12 to 18 months of validity, although the exact cutoff per category can vary. The digital photo requirement is also strict: a recent color photo, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain white background, minimum 400×600 pixels, in JPEG or PNG format.
Data precision is non-negotiable. Your full name and place of birth must align exactly with the ICAO standards on your passport bio-page; any discrepancy can trigger an automatic system rejection. Additionally, proof of funds is now a standard request for most visit and limited-stay visas. While exact thresholds fluctuate, current practice guidance suggests showing at least USD 2,000 in recent bank statements. Finally, if your visa requires a sponsor, their guarantee letter and ID must be uploaded upfront, binding them legally to your conduct and whereabouts.
Step-by-Step: Applying via the Official e-Visa Portal
The application process has been centralized to eliminate third-party scalpers. First, create an account on the official portal. If you are a foreigner applying for a visitor visa, you can register directly; for sponsored visas, your Indonesian sponsor must log in through their dedicated dashboard. Select your specific visa product—whether it’s an e-VoA for tourism or a Limited Stay Visa for investment—and proceed to the data entry phase.
Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. Upload your scanned documents, ensuring high resolution and no glare. Once the form is complete, payment is made directly online via credit card (Visa/Mastercard/JCB) or the SIMPONI system. Upon approval, the e-Visa is emailed as a PDF. It is crucial to print this document or save it offline, as you must present it to airline staff and immigration officers upon arrival to receive your electronic stay permit.
The New Hybrid Extension Process: Mandatory Biometrics
Extending your stay is no longer a passive process. Under the 2026 rules, you initiate the extension online by logging into your e-Visa account, selecting “Extend Stay Permit,” and uploading updated documents like your return ticket. You then pay the extension fee online. However, this is just step one. The system will then assign you an appointment at the immigration office closest to your registered address.
You must attend this appointment in person. Officers will capture your current photo and fingerprints and may conduct a brief interview to verify your activities. This “hybrid” flow—online payment plus offline verification—is mandatory for everyone, including e-VoA holders. While vulnerable groups like the elderly or disabled get priority service, they are not exempt from appearing. Once the biometrics are cleared, the system updates your permit digitally.
Real Story: The "Remote Extension" Reject in Canggu
Meet Elena, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Spain. In January 2026, Elena was living her best life in a shared villa in Canggu, working remotely on a B211A Visit Visa. When her visa approached its 60-day expiry, she did what she had done for years: she messaged a local “agent” she found on Instagram, transferred 3 million Rupiah, and continued her week of surfing, assuming the extension would be handled “under the table” without her presence.
Three days before her expiry, the agent ghosted her. Elena rushed to the immigration office in Renon, Denpasar, only to find a long queue and a stern officer explaining the new IMI-417 rule. Her “remote” application had never been filed because the agent couldn’t bypass the biometric requirement. The humidity of the waiting room felt suffocating as she realized she was now technically overstaying.
Panic-stricken, she contacted a trusted travel agency to help navigate the emergency. They explained that her only option was to pay the overstay fine and immediately process an extension with a rush fee for the biometric slot. Elena spent three days shuffling between counters, missing deadlines and paying double what she had planned. “I learned the hard way,” she says. “In 2026, you can’t outsource your face. You have to show up.”
Risk Controls: Single-Visa Rule and Sponsor Monitoring
The “Single Visa” policy is a direct measure to stop foreigners from holding conflicting statuses, such as a tourist visa and a work permit simultaneously. This simplifies enforcement: if you are caught working on a Visit Visa, you have no other “backup” permit to hide behind. Immigration officers in Bali are increasingly vigilant, using handheld devices to scan QR codes and verify the exact scope of your allowed activities instantly.
Sponsor monitoring has also intensified. The sponsor—whether a company or an individual—is now legally liable for reporting any changes in your residential address or civil status. If a foreigner disappears or commits a crime, the sponsor faces administrative sanctions. This has made local sponsors more cautious; many now require foreigners to sign strict compliance agreements before issuing a guarantee letter for a Visa Application.
Common Application Mistakes and Penalties
The most dangerous mistake in 2026 is working on the wrong visa. With the single-visa rule, “digital nomads” working on tourist permits are prime targets for deportation. Another frequent error is relying on outdated “online-only” extension guides found on blogs from 2024. Following these can lead to missed biometric appointments and unintentional overstays. Remember, the fine remains IDR 1,000,000 per day, accumulating rapidly.
Technical errors also cause headaches. Submitting a low-quality photo or mistyping a passport number can lead to a rejection that requires a completely new application and fee payment. Furthermore, using non-official “scam” websites that look like the government portal is a growing issue. Always verify the URL ends in .go.id. Finally, assuming you can convert a tourist visa to a KITAS onshore is risky; conversion rules are specific to the visa index and are not universally guaranteed.
2026 "Not Confirmed" Areas to Watch
While the core system is robust, some areas remain fluid. The exact passport validity required for specific long-stay visa categories can vary by embassy and officer discretion, so treating the “6-month” rule as a bare minimum is wise. Similarly, the specific minimum bank balance for every single visa index is not exhaustively listed in the public regulation and can change, so aiming for the USD 2,000 benchmark is a safe bet but technically “Not confirmed” as a universal static figure.
Additionally, while conversion from Visit Visa to ITAS is legally possible for certain indexes, the practical availability of this service fluctuates based on local office capacity and specific index rules. It is not a guaranteed right for all tourists. Finally, be wary of third-party claims about “guaranteed” same-day service; official processing times are standard, and expediting is often subject to unofficial and unreliable channels.
FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Rules
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Can I extend my e-VoA online without going to the immigration office?
No. Under Circular IMI-417, you must appear in person for biometrics for every extension, even if you applied online initially.
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What happens if I miss my biometric appointment?
You risk your application being cancelled. You must reschedule immediately, but repeated misses can lead to an overstay situation.
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Is the USD 2,000 proof of funds mandatory for all tourists?
It is a standard requirement for many visit visas, though enforcement at the border varies. It is highly recommended to have it ready to avoid entry denial.
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Can I hold a B211A visa and a KITAS at the same time?
No. The "Single Visa" policy means your new permit automatically supersedes and cancels the previous one upon issuance.
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Can I use a sponsor letter from a friend for a business visa?
No. A business visa typically requires sponsorship from a registered Indonesian company with valid corporate documents.
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How long does the e-Visa approval take?
Standard processing is 5 working days, but incomplete documents or system maintenance can cause delays. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
