Bali has a way of holding onto you. You plan for a month, but suddenly the idea of leaving feels impossible. Whether you are chasing the perfect wave in Uluwatu or finalizing a business deal in Jakarta, the standard 30 or 60-day entry permit often isn’t enough. In the past, the process for a Bali stay renewal was a chaotic mix of agency fees and multiple trips to government offices, but 2026 has brought a standardized, albeit stricter, digital system.
However, a major shift occurred in mid-2025 that still confuses many travelers today. The “fully online” dream is effectively over. While you can initiate your Indonesia Visa Extension digitally, the government now mandates a “hybrid” process. This means you must combine the convenience of online payment with a mandatory in-person visit for biometrics verification. Ignoring this second step is the fastest way to accidentally overstay.
Navigating this new system requires precision. You need to know exactly when to click “submit” and when to show up at the immigration office. This guide covers the entire 2026 workflow for tourists and business travelers. From eligibility checks to the final biometrics scan, we will ensure your stay remains legal so you can focus on enjoying the archipelago instead of worrying about overstay penalties or deportation.
Table of Contents
- Which Visas Can Be Extended?
- The New 2026 "Hybrid" Rule explained
- Step-by-Step Online Application
- The Mandatory In-Person Visit (Biometrics)
- Costs and Payment Methods
- Real Story: Sarah’s Near-Miss in Canggu
- Key Risks and Common Mistakes
- Long-Term Alternatives to Extensions
- FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Extension
Which Visas Can Be Extended?
Not all entry stamps are created equal. Before you log into any portal, you must verify if your current visa is eligible for this process. In 2026, the most common extendable categories are the Visa on Arrival (VoA/e-VoA) and the Single Entry Visit Visa (Index C1 or B211).
The Visa on Arrival (Index B1) grants an initial 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, giving you a maximum total stay of 60 days. The Single Entry Visit Visa (C1) typically starts with 60 days and allows for two extensions of 60 days each, capping your stay at 180 days. If you entered on a “Visa Exemption” (free entry for ASEAN nationals), you generally cannot extend it; you must exit the country to avoid an overstay. Knowing your specific visa index is the first step to avoiding a rejection.
The New 2026 "Hybrid" Rule explained
Since June 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration has enforced a strict “hybrid” protocol. Previously, holders of the electronic VoA could sometimes extend their stay purely online without ever seeing an officer. That loophole has closed. Now, every foreigner applying for a stay permit renewal—regardless of whether they hold an e-VoA or a paper visa—must appear in person at a local immigration office for biometrics.
The online system at evisa.imigrasi.go.id is now used primarily for initiation. You use the portal to register your application, upload documents, and pay the state fees. Once these digital steps are complete, the system issues an appointment or instruction to visit the nearest Kantor Imigrasi. This physical visit is for “Verification and Biometrics,” where officers confirm your identity, take a fresh photo, and capture your biometrics (fingerprints). Only after this data is recorded is the extension officially granted.
Step-by-Step Online Application
The process begins on your laptop. Visit the official immigration website and log in to your account. If you used an agent for your initial visa, you might need their help, but most independent travelers can register themselves. Navigate to the “Extend My Visa” section and enter your passport number and date of birth to retrieve your active stay permit and avoid an accidental overstay due to expiry.
You will need to upload digital copies of your passport bio page, your current visa sticker or e-Visa PDF, and your latest entry stamp. Ensure these images are clear; blurry scans are a common reason for delays. Once the data is verified, you will proceed to the payment stage. The system will generate a billing code (SIMPONI), which you can pay via credit card or local bank transfer. Keep the payment receipt safe, as it is proof that you have initiated the digital visa update process before the overstay deadline.
The Mandatory In-Person Visit (Biometrics)
After payment, check your email or the portal status for your biometrics notification. This usually instructs you to visit a specific immigration office based on the address you provided. In Bali, this could be the immigration office in Renon (Denpasar), Jimbaran (Ngurah Rai), or Singaraja. You cannot simply walk into any office; it must match your registered domicile to complete the biometrics session.
Dress modestly—no singlets or flip-flops—and arrive early. You will likely need to queue to get a ticket number. When called, present your passport and payment proof. The officer will take your photo and capture your biometrics using the digital scanner. This biometrics interview is usually brief, asking simple questions about your stay and accommodation. Once the biometrics are captured, the system updates your status electronically. You typically receive the digital confirmation via email within 24 hours of this biometrics visit.
Costs and Payment Methods
The cost of an Indonesia Visa Extension depends on your visa type. For a standard 30-day Visa on Arrival extension, the official government fee (PNBP) is IDR 500,000. For the 60-day Visit Visa (C1/B211) extension, the fee is generally IDR 2,000,000 per extension. These fees are paid online during the application phase to secure your status and prevent an overstay.
Be aware that these are purely the government fees. If you choose to use a visa agency to handle the paperwork and escort you to the office, they will charge an additional service fee, often ranging from IDR 300,000 to IDR 1,000,000 depending on the speed and service level. For those staying in private villas, having a trusted villa management company can sometimes help verify your address for the application, ensuring you don’t face administrative hurdles.
Real Story: Sarah’s Near-Miss in Canggu
Avril, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Canada, was loving her remote work life in Canggu. She entered on an e-VoA and marked her calendar to process her immigration status extension online on day 27. She logged in, paid the IDR 500,000 fee, and assumed she was done, remembering a blog post from 2024 that said it was fully digital.
Three days later, on the day her visa expired, she received a WhatsApp message from her landlord asking if she had gone to the immigration office for biometrics yet. Panicked, she checked her email and found the biometrics invitation she had ignored. She rushed to the Ngurah Rai immigration office at 2:00 PM, but the queue numbers were finished. She had to return the next morning, technically facing a one-day overstay.
Fortunately, because she had initiated the process on time, the officers were lenient, but she received a stern warning about the overstay risk. Avril now knows: the process isn’t finished until they scan your fingers.
Key Risks and Common Mistakes
The biggest risk is overstay. You should start your application at least 7 to 10 days before your current permit expires. Immigration systems can go down, and weekends do not count as processing days. If you apply on the day of expiry, you will likely overstay because you won’t get a biometrics slot in time.
Another common mistake is assuming payment equals approval. Without the biometrics data, the application is incomplete. If you fail to show up for biometrics, the system eventually cancels the request, leaving you with an invalid visa and accumulating overstay fines. Additionally, never attempt to extend if you have violated your visa terms. The biometrics interview is an opportunity for officers to assess your intent; nervousness or inconsistent answers can trigger further inspection.
Long-Term Alternatives to Extensions
If you find yourself needing to extend your visa consecutively, it might be time to rethink your strategy to avoid constant overstay anxiety. The Visit Visa has a hard cap (usually 180 days maximum). Once you hit that limit, you must leave Indonesia. For those who want to stay longer without the “visa run” cycle, consider switching to a KITAS (Limited Stay Permit).
Options like the Remote Worker Visa (E33G) or the Investor KITAS offer 1 to 2 years of residency and allow for multiple entries. These permits provide much more stability than a serial Indonesia Visa Extension. While the upfront cost is higher, the freedom from monthly visits to the immigration office for biometrics and the ability to open local bank accounts often make it a worthwhile investment for long-term lovers of Indonesia.
FAQ's about Indonesia Visa Extension
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Can I do an Indonesia Visa Extension entirely online?
No. As of mid-2025, you must visit the immigration office for mandatory biometrics (photo and fingerprints) to finalize the extension, even if you start the process online.
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How many times can I extend a Visa on Arrival?
You can extend a Visa on Arrival (VoA) only once for an additional 30 days. After a total of 60 days, you must leave the country or face overstay penalties.
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What happens if I overstay my visa?
You will be fined IDR 1,000,000 per day for every day of overstay. If you overstay by more than 60 days, you face detention, deportation, and a potential ban from re-entering Indonesia.
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Do I need a sponsor for this extension?
For a Visa on Arrival, you do not need a sponsor. However, for a Single Entry Visit Visa (C1/B211), you typically need your original sponsor to sign the extension request before you do your biometrics.
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Can I extend my visa at any immigration office?
No, you must go to the immigration office that covers the area of your registered accommodation address (domicile) to complete your biometrics.
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Can an agent handle Indonesia visa extension online for me?
Many people use agents, but you remain responsible for ensuring your data and documents are accurate. Even when an agent helps, you may still need to attend immigration in person.
