“You’re Not Going Home Mate”: Aussie’s Visa Nightmare Strands Him in Bali
By Troy Nankervis | June 28, 2025
A quiet and little-known change to Indonesia’s tourist visa regulations has left one Australian tourist trapped in Bali, costing him thousands of dollars and turning his anticipated vacation into a travel nightmare.
A Sudden Change in Visa Rules
Troy Nankervis had been enjoying almost six weeks in Bali, ready to return home to Sydney when he was unexpectedly pulled aside by customs officials at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. What started as routine passport checks quickly escalated into a stressful ordeal that prevented him from leaving Indonesia.
The root of the problem was a technical detail related to Indonesia’s tourist visa extension process. On May 29, 2025, the Indonesian government implemented a seemingly minor but crucial change: tourists staying longer than 30 days must now physically attend an immigration office in person to have their visa extension processed. Previously, Australians and other visitors could complete the entire extension process online.
Unaware of this new requirement, Nankervis had paid his visa extension fee online on June 2 — four days after the changes took effect — from a café in Ubud. However, he did not follow up with the essential mandatory in-person visit to the Denpasar Immigration Office.
Stranded at the Airport
As Nankervis was preparing to board his flight home, customs officers informed him that his visa extension was incomplete and that he could not leave the country until the extension had been processed in person — a service unavailable late on a Saturday night when he arrived at the airport.
He was escorted to an “Overstay Payment” counter within the international departures terminal, a stark and lonely spot where travelers face their visa violations. Despite having paid his extension fee, the incomplete process left him in limbo. Unlike previous experiences in Bali, this technicality meant he technically was not authorized to leave.
“I tried reasoning and pleading, showing them my receipt and explaining I had followed the process as I understood it, but the officers were firm—rules are rules,” Nankervis recounted. Another traveler at the counter leaned over and said, “You’re not going home tonight, mate.”
Nankervis was forced to watch as his suitcase was unloaded from the plane and his boarding pass was taken from him, effectively grounding him in Bali indefinitely until the issue could be resolved.
A Costly and Stressful Detour
The immediate consequence was missing both his flight home to Australia and a subsequent flight to London, throwing his travel plans into chaos. Unable to pay an overstay fine to expedite departure — since he technically had not overstayed, but simply failed to complete the new process — he was stuck.
Left with no option, Nankervis checked into a hotel in Kuta and awaited the reopening of the immigration office on Monday. When he arrived at the Denpasar Immigration Office first thing in the morning, it took only 30 seconds for officials to approve his visa extension, clearing the way for him to finally leave Bali without additional fines.
However, the financial damage was done. Flight rescheduling, extra accommodation, and lost plans cost Nankervis more than $2,000 — a steep price, especially as he was currently between jobs. Ironically, paying the overstay fine at the airport would have been cheaper. At the time, his 11 extra days in Bali would have resulted in fines around 11,000,000 IDR (approximately $1,100 AUD).
Unfortunately, despite his predicament, his travel insurance company informed him that he was ineligible for compensation.
A Widespread Issue
Nankervis’s experience is not isolated. After sharing his story on social media, he was contacted by other travelers who faced similar confusion and unexpected complications due to the visa policy change. Several affected travelers have formed online groups discussing the issue and sharing advice.
One consistent criticism is the lack of clear communication or automated notifications from Indonesian immigration authorities following the payment of the extension fee. Many tourists had been unaware that the process now required an in-person visit, leading to incomplete applications unknowingly and last-minute travel disruptions.
Advice for Future Travelers
While Nankervis eventually left Bali relieved but out of pocket, his experience serves as a cautionary tale.
“If you’re going to Bali, don’t assume the visa process is the same as last time,” he advises. “Don’t leave it to the last minute. Read every word, triple check the rules, and make sure to complete every step—especially in person if that’s now required.”
Though a visa technicality hardly rises to the dramatic extremes of exotic TV dramas, it can turn an idyllic holiday into a nightmare of uncertainty, stress, and financial loss.
Key Takeaways for Bali Travelers:
- Since May 29, 2025, visa extensions for tourist stays beyond 30 days must be completed with an in-person visit to an Indonesian immigration office.
- Online payment of the visa extension fee alone is not sufficient.
- Failure to physically process the extension can result in being barred from leaving Indonesia.
- Visa overstay fines cannot be paid at the airport if the extension process is incomplete.
- Make sure to check updated visa rules from official Indonesian government sources before travel to avoid costly complications.
For those planning to travel to Bali or extend their stay, the best approach is to act promptly and comply fully with the latest immigration requirements — ensuring smooth travels and peace of mind.
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