Navigating the shifting tides of Indonesian immigration law has become significantly more complex for foreigners in Bali. Gone are the days of indefinite visa runs and relaxed oversight; the 2026 landscape is defined by strict adherence to new statutes that leave little room for error. Failure to adapt often results in hefty fines or sudden deportation.
The anxiety of holding an invalid permit is real, especially with the introduction of mandatory in-person extensions and reduced visa-free lists. Many expats still rely on outdated forums, unaware that the rules governing their stay have fundamentally changed under recent ministerial decrees. One wrong move with your sponsorship or activity can now trigger immediate legal consequences.
Staying compliant requires a clear understanding of the three core pillars anchoring the current system: Permenkumham 22/2023, Perpres 95/2024, and the 2025 circular on biometrics. This guide breaks down exactly what has changed, how to choose the right permit, and the critical steps to ensure your time in paradise remains uninterrupted. For official verification, always cross-reference with the Directorate General of Immigration.
Table of Contents
- The Three Pillars of 2026 Compliance
- Selecting the Correct Visa Category
- The New In-Person Extension Mandate
- Impact of Visa-Free List Reductions
- Real Story: Avoiding the Overstay Trap
- The Fine Line Between Visiting and Working
- Sponsor Responsibilities for Businesses
- High-Risk Behaviors to Avoid
- FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Rules
The Three Pillars of 2026 Compliance
The foundation of staying legal in Indonesia this year rests on three specific regulations that have reshaped the immigration environment. First is Permenkumham 22/2023, which establishes the “one visa, one permit” principle. This rule clarifies that your visa is the sole legal basis for your stay permit, effectively streamlining the system into two main families: Visit Visas and Limited Stay Visas (ITAS). This regulation acts as the umbrella for modern products like the Golden Visa and digital nomad schemes.
The second pillar is Perpres 95/2024, which drastically altered the visa-free landscape by cutting the eligible list from 169 countries down to a reciprocity-based core. Finally, the Circular Letter IMI-417.GR.01.01/2025 introduced a rigid procedural change: starting May 2025, all foreigners must appear in person for extensions. Understanding how each visa regulation interacts is vital for maintaining lawful status in Bali.
Selecting the Correct Visa Category
Choosing the right entry permit is no longer just about convenience; it is about matching your specific activities to the law. The 2026 toolbox is distinct. For short holidays or family visits, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) remains the standard for roughly 97 nationalities, offering a 30-day stay extendable once. For longer non-working stays, the Single Entry Visit Visa (C-type) provides an initial 60 days, generally extendable up to 180 days for social or pre-investment purposes.
However, anyone planning to reside in Bali long-term or manage a business must secure a Limited Stay Visa (ITAS). This covers investors, workers, retirees, and remote workers under specific sub-indices. Relying on consecutive visit visas for residency is now flagged by immigration systems. If you are renting a long-term villa, working with a trusted villa management company can often help clarify domicile requirements needed for these longer-term permits.
The New In-Person Extension Mandate
One of the most jarring changes for long-term visitors accustomed to digital convenience is the 2025 extension rule. Previously, many agents could handle extensions remotely, but the current visa regulation explicitly requires foreigners to visit an immigration office in person for a photo and interview during the extension process. This applies to almost all permit types, including the standard VoA.
This procedure, effective from May 29, 2025, requires you to first upload documents via the official evisa portal and then physically attend your appointment. While vulnerable groups like the elderly or disabled may complete the process in a single visit, the days of “hands-off” extensions are over. This measure allows officers to verify that the foreigner is physically present in Indonesia and adhering to their permit conditions.
Impact of Visa-Free List Reductions
The revocation of Perpres 21/2016 by the new Perpres 95/2024 has caught many travelers off guard. Previously, citizens from over 160 countries could enter Indonesia for free. In 2026, this privilege is restricted to a small list of 13 core countries (mostly ASEAN neighbors) plus a few modest expansions based on reciprocity.
If your country is no longer on this list, you must pay for a VoA or apply for a visit visa before travel. Crucially, the visa-free stay is strictly capped at 30 days and cannot be extended or converted into any other permit. Attempting to extend a visa-free entry is a common mistake that leads to overstay penalties, proving that ignorance of the specific visa regulation provides no immunity from fines.
Real Story: Avoiding the Overstay Trap
Meet Nando, a 34-year-old software architect from Manchester who has been living in the surf-centric neighborhood of Canggu since early 2024. Nando used to rely on a local agency to handle his Single Entry Visit Visa extensions without ever leaving his villa or pausing his remote work schedule. In November 2025, assuming the old remote processing rules still applied, he booked a weekend trip to Lombok during the week his visa was due for its second renewal, thinking his agent would handle the paperwork digitally as they had done dozens of times before.
The “chill” Canggu lifestyle vanished three days before his expiry when his agent frantically called him. The immigration system had flagged his application for a mandatory interview and biometric capture under the new 2025 circular. Nando had to cancel his Lombok flights and rush back to the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Jimbaran. Because he arrived just in time for the photo and fingerprint scan, he secured his extension and stayed within the legal visa regulation framework. Had he delayed even 48 hours, he would have faced a daily overstay fine of IDR 1,000,000 and potential deportation for violating the updated administrative protocols.
The Fine Line Between Visiting and Working
The distinction between “business visitor” activities and “employment” is strictly enforced in 2026. A Visit Visa (Business sub-index) allows for meetings, negotiations, and audits, but it absolutely prohibits hands-on work or receiving a salary from an Indonesian entity. Even for remote workers, the grey area has shrunk; true digital nomads should utilize the specific remote worker ITAS rather than risk working on a tourist permit.
Immigration officers actively monitor co-working spaces and social media for foreigners conducting business illegally. The current visa regulation framework empowers authorities to deport violators immediately. If your primary purpose is generating income or managing daily operations, holding a work or investor ITAS is the only safe legal path.
Sponsor Responsibilities for Businesses
For Indonesian companies, the burden of compliance is heavier than ever. Sponsors are legally responsible for the foreigners they invite. This includes ensuring the foreigner’s activities match their visa index and reporting any changes in their civil status or address. Using a visit visa for a foreign employee on probation is a violation of both immigration and manpower laws.
Sponsors must also adapt to the reduced visa-free list. Business partners who previously flew in on a whim may now need a formal sponsorship letter for a Visit Visa. Negligence in monitoring these details can lead to sanctions against the company, making strict internal visa regulation protocols essential for any PT PMA operating in Bali.
High-Risk Behaviors to Avoid
In this tightened regulatory era, certain strategies that worked in the past are now considered high-risk. The “visa run”—exiting to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur purely to reset a visit visa—is increasingly scrutinized. The “one visa per foreigner” principle means immigration officers can see your entire history; serial short-term entries often trigger an interrogation about your true intent and funding source.
Additionally, overstaying is no longer a minor administrative lapse. With the fine fixed at IDR 1,000,000 per day, costs accumulate rapidly. Overstaying beyond 60 days shifts the penalty from a fine to detention, deportation, and a re-entry ban. Managing your stay within the legal limits and processing extensions early is the only way to safeguard your presence in Indonesia.
FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Rules
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Can I still extend my visa online without going to the immigration office?
No, under the 2025 circular, you must appear in person for a photo and interview to extend any stay permit.
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Which countries are still eligible for visa-free entry in 2026?
Only a small list of roughly 13 countries (primarily ASEAN members) and a few reciprocity partners remain eligible for visa-free entry.
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What is the penalty for overstaying my visa?
The administrative fine is IDR 1,000,000 per day; overstaying more than 60 days leads to deportation and blacklisting.
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Can I convert a tourist visa to a KITAS?
Yes, Permenkumham 22/2023 allows "Alih Status" for certain visit visas to Limited Stay Permits (ITAS), provided you meet the sponsorship requirements.
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Is it legal to work remotely on a Visa on Arrival?
Technically no; while enforcement varies, the VoA is for tourism/visiting, and dedicated remote worker permits are the compliant choice.
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Do these new regulations apply to visas issued before 2026?
Yes, the procedural rules like mandatory in-person extensions apply to all valid permits regardless of when the initial visa was issued.
