Extending your stay in Indonesia used to mean a full day at an immigration office, a folder of photocopied documents, and at least two return trips. In 2026, the process has been split into two very different experiences depending on a single decision you made before you landed: did you apply for your visa online, or did you buy it at the airport counter?
That one choice determines whether your extension takes 10 minutes on a laptop or three separate visits to a government office. This guide covers both paths in full — plus the 60-day Visit Visa for longer stays, the new emergency overstay waiver, and everything you need to know about timing, fees, and which immigration office to go to if you’re in Bali or Lombok.
First: Know Which Visa You Have
Before anything else, identify your visa type. Everything downstream depends on this.
You have an e-VOA (B1 digital) if you applied at evisa.imigrasi.go.id before your flight and received a QR code by email. Your visa exists digitally — there is no sticker in your passport.
You have a sticker VOA (B1 physical) if you queued at the Visa on Arrival counter in the airport arrival hall, paid in cash or by card, and an officer stamped and stuck the visa into your passport.
Both grant a 30-day stay, extendable once for a further 30 days (60 days total). The extension fee is the same in both cases: IDR 500,000 (~$32 USD). The process, however, is completely different.
Extending a Visa on Arrival: Two Very Different Paths
Path A: The e-VOA Extension (Digital — No Office Visit Required)
If you entered on a digital e-VOA, your extension is handled entirely online. As of 2026, no in-person biometrics, no immigration office visit, and no agent required.
Steps:
- Log in to your account at evisa.imigrasi.go.id using the credentials you created when you applied
- Select your active visa and choose “Extend”
- Confirm your travel details and upload any updated information requested
- Pay the IDR 500,000 extension fee via credit or debit card
- Receive your extended digital visa by email — usually within a few hours
The extended e-VOA works with the Auto-Gates at Ngurah Rai (Bali) and Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), meaning your exit is as fast as your entry was.
Timing: Apply at least 7–10 days before your current 30 days expire. The portal occasionally goes into maintenance mode without notice, and being even one day late triggers the full IDR 1,000,000 per day overstay fine with no grace period.
Path B: The Sticker VOA Extension (Three Office Visits)
If you bought your visa at the airport counter, extending it requires in-person visits to your local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi). The standard process involves three separate visits:
Visit 1 — Submission Bring your passport, a completed extension application form, a photocopy of your passport’s photo page and current visa, proof of onward travel, and proof of accommodation. Submit your documents at the foreign nationals counter and receive a receipt with a return date.
Visit 2 — Biometrics Return on the date specified for fingerprints and a photograph. This step cannot be skipped or delegated.
Visit 3 — Collection Return to collect your passport with the extension stamp.
Between visits, your passport is held by the immigration office. Do not book domestic flights or activities that require ID in this window.
The Agent Shortcut
Many travellers in Bali use a licensed visa agent to manage the paperwork, reducing their personal visits to one (biometrics only). Agent fees typically run IDR 1,000,000–1,500,000 on top of the IDR 500,000 government fee. For travellers who value their time or find the process confusing, this is a reasonable trade. For those on a tight budget, doing it independently is entirely straightforward — just slower.
Warning: Do not use informal “visa agents” who approach you on the street or via Instagram DMs. Use only agents with a physical office and verifiable reviews. The official extension fee is IDR 500,000. Any website charging significantly more for a “standard VOA extension” without disclosing agent fees is either a third-party markup site or a scam. The only official government portal is evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
The Visit Visa (B211A / C-Type): For Stays Up to 180 Days
If 60 days isn’t enough, the 60-day Visit Visa — increasingly referred to as the C-Type Tourist Visa in 2026 — is the preferred option for long-stayers, remote workers (in the legal grey zone), and those doing extended language or cultural programs.
Key Details
- Initial validity: 60 days
- Extensions: Up to two extensions, each for 60 days
- Maximum stay: 180 days in a single entry
- Cost per extension: Approximately IDR 2,000,000 (~$129 USD)
- Sponsorship: Most extensions for this visa type still require a local sponsor — either an Indonesian citizen or a certified visa agency acting as sponsor
The Bridging Stay Permit (2026 Update)
A significant 2026 addition: holders of the Visit Visa (B211A) can now apply for a Bridging Stay Permit online if they intend to transition to a long-term residency permit such as a KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit), without leaving the country. Previously, this conversion required an exit and re-entry. The bridging application is handled through the immigration portal and requires documentation from a licensed sponsor or employer.
This is particularly relevant for travellers who arrive on a tourist basis and subsequently secure a remote worker arrangement or long-term housing that qualifies them for a residency permit.
The 2026 Emergency Overstay Waiver (ITKT)
As of April 2026, Indonesia has introduced a zero-rupiah (Rp 0) Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) for travellers stranded by international flight disruptions. The policy was introduced specifically in response to Middle East airspace disruptions affecting connecting flights, but the mechanism applies to any verifiable international flight cancellation.
How it works:
- If your onward or return flight is cancelled by the airline (not rescheduled by you), you may apply for an emergency 30-day stay extension at the immigration office
- Bring proof from the airline: a cancellation notice, rebooking confirmation, or official letter on airline letterhead
- The permit is issued at no cost — IDR 0 — for the duration needed to reach your new departure date, up to 30 days
This waiver is not applicable to voluntary itinerary changes, missed flights, or standard overstays. It is a genuine safety net for travellers caught by circumstances outside their control, and it is worth knowing about before you need it.
Which Bali Immigration Office Do You Go To?
If you hold a sticker VOA and need to extend in Bali, you must visit the immigration office that covers the district where you are staying — not necessarily the office nearest to you on a map.
Kantor Imigrasi Ngurah Rai
Covers: Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak South, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Bukit Peninsula
Located in Jimbaran, close to the international airport. This is Bali’s highest-traffic immigration office and the one most tourists end up at by default — which means it is also the busiest. Arrive early.
Kantor Imigrasi Denpasar
Covers: Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Ubud, Denpasar city and surrounds
Located in the Renon district of Denpasar. As of 2026, the foreigner services building has been undergoing renovations — follow on-site signage for the temporary entrance. This office handles the lion’s share of Canggu and Ubud-based travellers.
Kantor Imigrasi Singaraja
Covers: Lovina, Amed, Munduk, Pemuteran, all of North and East Bali
Located in North Bali. Significantly shorter wait times than the two southern offices. If you’re based in Amed or Lovina, this is your office — and the relative lack of queues makes the trip worthwhile even if the drive is longer.
Lombok: Kantor Imigrasi Mataram
Lombok routes all tourist visa extensions through a single office:
Kantor Imigrasi Mataram — located in Mataram city, near the Islamic Center Mosque.
- From Kuta Lombok: Allow 1.5–2 hours each way by road
- From the Gili Islands: Take a fast boat to Bangsal harbour, then approximately 1 hour by car or scooter to Mataram. Factor in the boat schedule when planning — missing the last boat back means an overnight in Mataram
Immigration Office Hours and Holiday Closures
Indonesian immigration offices operate on a strict government schedule.
Standard hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:00
Daily closure: All offices shut from 12:00–13:00 for lunch. On Fridays, this extends to approximately 11:30–13:30 for prayers. Plan your arrival accordingly — showing up at 11:45 AM means waiting outside until after 1:00 PM.
Practical tip: Arrive at opening time (08:00) or just after lunch (13:30 on non-Fridays). Mid-morning is peak queue time.
2026 Bali Holiday Closures
Bali’s immigration offices observe Balinese Hindu holidays. These do not affect Lombok.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Nyepi (Day of Silence) | March 19, 2026 | All Bali offices closed for several days around this date. Bali’s airport also closes. |
| Galungan / Kuningan | June 16–27, 2026 | Intermittent closures and reduced staffing across Bali during this two-week window |
If your extension deadline falls near either period, start the process at least 14 days in advance rather than the standard 7–10. The office closures do not pause the overstay clock.
Dress Code for the Immigration Office
This catches more travellers off guard than it should. Indonesian government offices enforce a basic dress code at the entrance — security can and will turn you away if you arrive in beachwear.
Required: Shoulders covered, knees covered. Closed shoes or sandals with straps are generally fine.
Not acceptable: Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, short shorts, or flip-flops at some offices.
If you’re coming directly from a beach town, pack a light shirt and a sarong in your bag and change before entering. Missing your biometric appointment because security turned you away at the door is an avoidable and expensive mistake.
Fees, Fines, and Passport Requirements
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| VOA / e-VOA extension fee | IDR 500,000 (~$32 USD) |
| Visit Visa (B211A) extension fee | IDR 2,000,000 (~$129 USD) per extension |
| Overstay fine | IDR 1,000,000 per day (~$65 USD) |
| Emergency ITKT stay permit | IDR 0 (free, with airline documentation) |
| Minimum passport validity for any extension | 6 months remaining |
Overstay fines are collected at the immigration desk at the airport before you are allowed to check in for your departure flight. There is no option to pay later or dispute at the counter. The fine must be paid in full in Rupiah before you leave.
Extension Timeline: When to Start
| Visa Type | Recommended Start Date | Absolute Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| e-VOA (digital) | 10 days before expiry | Before 23:59 on expiry date |
| Sticker VOA (3-visit process) | 14 days before expiry | Before expiry date (passport held during process) |
| Visit Visa B211A | 14 days before expiry | Before expiry date |
The phrase “I’ll do it tomorrow” has cost a lot of travellers IDR 1,000,000. Set a calendar reminder the day you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my visa more than once? For the VOA (both e-VOA and sticker), you get one extension only — 30 days extra, for 60 days total. Further stays require exiting Indonesia and re-entering, or switching to a Visit Visa (B211A) before your original visa expires, which must be arranged through a licensed sponsor or agent.
Can I extend in a different location from where I entered? Yes. You can extend your visa at any immigration office in Indonesia. You are not required to return to your port of entry.
What if I’m travelling between islands when my extension is due? For e-VOA holders, this is a non-issue — the extension is done online from anywhere. For sticker VOA holders, you need to be physically present at an immigration office, so plan your island schedule around the deadline.
Do I need to leave Bali to extend in Lombok, or vice versa? No. You extend at the office covering wherever you are currently staying, regardless of where you entered the country.
Can I work remotely on a VOA or Visit Visa? Indonesian law does not permit paid employment on tourist visas, including remote work for foreign companies. This remains a legal grey area in practice, but it is technically not permitted. The Second Home Visa is currently the most straightforward legal option for long-term remote workers.
My flight was cancelled. Will I be fined for overstaying? If you have airline documentation proving the cancellation, you are eligible for the 2026 Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) at no cost. Go to your nearest immigration office with the cancellation notice as soon as possible — do not wait until your departure date.
What happens if I overstay without paying? You will be detained at the airport, required to pay all accumulated fines before departure, and may be barred from re-entering Indonesia. Extended overstays can result in deportation and a formal entry ban.
Visa regulations and fees are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at the official Indonesian immigration portal evisa.imigrasi.go.id before making decisions based on this guide.
