Bali, Indonesia – Bali-bound tourists are being advised to
double-check their online visa-on-arrival (eVOA) applications after an
Australian tourist was forced to pay the fee twice due to a simple error.
Melbourne-based Bali visitor Laura Devy recently shared her
experience in hopes of helping other travellers avoid the costly mistake she
made during her Bali vacation preparations.
Devy, wanting to be as organized as possible, applied for an eVisa on
Arrival prior to her trip. The eVisa is a popular option for holidaymakers,
digital nomads, business visitors, and cultural tourists, as it allows for a
more streamlined entry process through Bali’s newly installed auto gates.
However, despite the ease of the application process, Devy entered her
passport number incorrectly. “When the immigration officer was checking my
details to make sure they were correct, he said, ‘You’ve got to go pay another
$50 because you’ve entered your passport number wrong,’” Devy recalled.
She added, “I said, ‘No, I haven’t, I’ve put all the numbers in correctly,’
but he replied, ‘You’ve missed the two front letters.’” Devy had mistakenly
believed the "PA" letters in her passport stood for "passport
number" and didn’t include them in her visa application. This error
rendered her eVisa invalid, resulting in her paying an additional IDR 500,000
(approximately $50 USD) to reapply for the visa upon arrival.
Tourists from 97 nations, including Australia, New Zealand,
the US, and most European countries, are eligible for the VOA, which costs IDR
500,000 and is valid for 30 days, with the option to extend for another 30
days. The visa can be obtained online via the Indonesian eVisa website or upon
arrival at airports like I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.
Unfortunately, Devy’s experience is not uncommon. Many travellers
have faced similar issues due to minor mistakes in their visa applications,
such as typos in names, passport numbers, and expiration dates.
Another frequent issue is passport damage; even minor damage
can lead to entry denial. Indonesian immigration officials are particularly
stringent, meticulously inspecting every detail of travelers' passports, often
more thoroughly than officials in other countries. Therefore, it’s essential
for tourists to ensure their passports are in pristine, undamaged condition
before arriving in Indonesia.
Immigration officers specifically check for rips and tears
in the spine of the passport, as well as ink marks, stains, page folds, and
bends. Tourists with damaged passports will be denied entry and will need to
arrange and pay for their return flight home.
Tips for a Smooth Immigration Experience in Bali
To avoid costly mistakes and ensure a hassle-free arrival in
Bali, here are some essential tips for applying for a visa on arrival:
- Double-check your electronic visa application: Ensure all details, including passport number, issue and expiration dates, and names, are entered correctly.
- Don’t omit any parts of your passport number: If your passport number includes letters (e.g., "PA 1234567") or has numbers separated by spaces (e.g., "99 1234567"), make sure to include all parts in any visa or immigration forms.
- Check your passport’s condition and avoid using a damaged passport: Ensure your passport is free from damage, including rips, ink stains, and page folds. Even minor wear and tear can result in entry denial.
- Ensure passport validity: Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining and at least two blank pages.
- Don’t rely on memory: Always refer to your passport when filling out visa forms to avoid mistakes.
- Don’t rush the visa process: Take your time to avoid typos or errors that could result in additional fees or delays.
By following these tips, travellers can ensure a smoother
entry into Bali and avoid unnecessary visa issues.
Source: thebalisun.com
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