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I will be travelling to Bali in August and I am wondering if I should do the Visa on Arrival (VOA) or get my visa in advance through a visa service. I am a U.S. citizen with a valid passport. I know that an E-ticket flight itinerary is needed, as well as a completed arrival/departure card. I also know the cost if25USD. Can I rely on the Visa on Arrival? Or should I get my visa in advance through a service? I do not live near any Indonesian embassies so I would have to pay about50-100 to obtain a visa. Also, the visa service asks for a letter from my employer acknowledging the time I will be away. Does the VOA also require this, I don't see this listed in requirements? If I do the VOA, where do I get the arrival/departure card? Appreciate any advice.
VOA - it's simple (although long lines depending on what time you arrive). It's the way we've always done it. You'll be asked several questions - depending on who is processing you, it can seem intimidating. It is their "need to talk" it seems for the Balinese officials. Just be polite, answer and move on. You will receive your arrival/departure card on the plane before you arrive into Bali. Fill it out and present it with your passport. Official will separate and insert the departure portion back into your passport. DO NOT LOSE IT! Homer
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Get it when you get there, if you are concerned and if you also would like to avoid the queue's then Google VIP Greeter Service, it does cost30 Aus but it saves you a lot of time, they will be there to meet you when you arrive and take care of everything. There are a couple of companies that do it, I used them for the last 4 trips. As I am not from the US I can't understand why you would need a letter from your employer acknowledging the time you will be away. It dosen't make sense, what if you are independantly wealthy what do you need then - your bank balance. Unless you have some sort of black mark against you name that might perclude you from receiving your Visa.
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I have travelled to Bali from Australia a dozen times. There is very little, if any, questioning done at the VOA counters. The basics are that you are supposed to have a ticket out of the country that can be shown to authorities, and that you have means of supporting yourself for the time you are in Indonesia. I've never been asked to show anything. On one occasion I flew from Singapore to Padang (Sumatra) and saw a man being questioned because he didn't have a ticket out of the country. In Denpasar, it is usually line up, pay for visa - no questions asked because they are so busy - then pass through immigration. The only time I've purchased a visa in advance is on a recent visit when I have wanted to stay in Indonesia longer than 30 days. You can now extend 'in country' but as I wasn't sure where I would be towards the end of the first 30 days, I decided to be safe and purchased a 60 day visa from an Indoensian consulate in Australia. Have a great trip.
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No worries about visas on arrival. The only thing to make sure of is that your current passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date and that the US cash you bring in is new and in good condition. Your VOA is good for thirty days, and if you're so smitten by Bali that you want to stay longer...no worries, as you can renew that visa on Bali for another 30 days. They love Americans here on Bali, speaking of which, when is Obama coming back?
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm convinced to go with the VOA.
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