Bali Encourages Tourists to Plan Visa and Immigration Services Early Amid Holiday Office Closures
As the holiday season approaches, Bali’s immigration offices are set to close on several key dates, prompting authorities to urge foreign visitors to arrange visa and permit extensions well in advance to avoid any complications.
Holiday Closures Impact Immigration Services
Indonesia, including Bali, observes Christmas and New Year as public holidays. Accordingly, government offices, including immigration services, will be closed on December 26 and 28, 2025, as well as January 1, 2026. Additionally, weekend closures on January 3 and 4 further limit the number of working days available to process visa-related requests.
The Denpasar Immigration Office issued an official public notice confirming these closures. The notice stated, “Due to Christmas Day, we would like to inform all immigration applicants that the Denpasar Immigration Office on Thursday and Friday, 25th and 26th December, will be closed.” The office plans to resume normal operations on Monday, December 29, 2025. Authorities Advise Early Visa Extensions
With the limited number of operational days during this period, immigration officials strongly recommend that tourists and long-stay visitors initiate their stay permit extension applications as early as possible. “Stay permits must be extended on working days prior to expiration," the office emphasized.
Tourists are warned against leaving their visa extension applications to the last minute, as holiday closures could cause delays leading to inadvertent overstaying. Such overstays carry significant penalties.
New Hybrid Application System Introduces Additional Steps
Since May 2025, Indonesia has implemented a new Hybrid Application System for visa extensions. Applicants must first complete an online form before visiting the immigration office for biometric data collection and document verification. Officials note that this new process has occasionally resulted in mistakes and delays, underscoring the importance of early and careful application submission.
Strict Overstay Penalties Enforced
Indonesian Immigration authorities maintain a strict policy regarding overstaying visas. According to a social media advisory, visitors who remain in Indonesia beyond their visa validity will be fined IDR 1,000,000 (approximately USD 67) per day starting from the first day of the overstay. This fine is unavoidable and must be paid whether the individual opts to extend their stay or depart the country.
Moreover, overstays exceeding 60 days may result in deportation. Visitors are therefore advised to ensure full compliance with immigration regulations to avoid these severe consequences.
Common Application Mistakes Highlighted
Immigration officials identified frequent pitfalls during visa extension applications, including:
- Applying too late, especially close to expiration dates
- Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents
- Failing to update personal information as required
- Making incomplete payments
- Relying solely on third-party agents without proper oversight
They reiterated that foreign nationals bear full legal responsibility for their applications and should exercise due diligence to avoid issues.
Conclusion
With Bali’s immigration offices closed on several dates during the Christmas and New Year period, tourists and foreign visitors are urged to proactively manage their visa status. Planning ahead can prevent costly fines, legal complications, and deportation. Those needing visa extensions should take advantage of the available working days before the holidays and carefully follow the hybrid application process.
Staying informed and compliant helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay in the scenic island paradise of Bali.
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