You know what time it is? Yes, #ItstimeforBali! Recently, the president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has imposed new regulations for those who are planning to visit Bali by air, as an initial step to re-open the island again. The regulations were issued during the Restricted Meeting (Ratas) regarding the evaluation of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), on 11 October 2021. These new regulations have been implemented effective immediately since 14 October 2021. By relaxing the travel restrictions to Bali, the Indonesian Government hopes that this move will be able to revitalize the country’s tourism.

And to support this process of reopening, the Indonesian Government will ensure to keep their utmost efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, namely by maintaining Indonesia’s status as one of the countries with the highest vaccination rates, one of the highest CHSE certifications, as well as being the country that consistently provides safety protocols for all visitors.

Who is eligible?

There are 19 countries that are allowed to open their international flights to Bali. These countries are also allowed to open their flights to the Riau Islands. These 19 countries are:

1. Bahrain
   
2. China​​
   
3. France
   
4. Hungary
   
5. India
   
6. Italy
   
7. Japan
   
8. Kuwait
   
9. Liechtenstein
   
10. New Zealand
   
11. Norway
   
12. Poland
   
13. Portugal
   
14. Qatar
   
15. Saudi Arabia
   
16. South Korea
   
17. Spain
   
18. Sweden
   
19. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

These countries were chosen by the Indonesian Government as they have a low COVID-19 positivity rate, in accordance with the standards of World Health Organizations (WHO), as specified in the Decree of the COVID-19 Task Force No. 15 of 2021.

In addition, in response to the emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 as stated in Circular of Covid-19 Task Force No. 23 Year 2021, as of 29 November 2021 a ban is imposed on foreign travelers who; either directly or through transit in a foreign country, has visited and/or resided within 14 (fourteen) days from the country/region with the following criteria: 

• Has confirmed the community transmission of the new SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529, which includes South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong; as well as 
   
• Countries/regions that are geographically close to the country of community transmission of the new variant B.1.1.529 cases significantly, which includes Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.

Read more : Why Is Everyone So Obsessed With Bali, Yet Ignorant Of Indonesia’s 17,500 Other Islands?

Pre-departure preparation regarding visas

Before departing to Bali and Riau Islands, you need to prepare yourself with the information about the visa and requirements to enter Indonesia.

• E-Visa

As an effort to provide ease of access, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights has launched an electronic visa (e-Visa) application system. This e-Visa was launched to assist foreign travelers who intend to visit Indonesia. It allows foreigners to apply for a visa online without hassle. Check out this article to gather more information about e-Visa.

In accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights (KEPMENKUMHAM) No. M.HH-03.GR.01.05 of 2021, below are the current types of visas allowed to enter the Indonesian territory:

• Visit Visa

Index B211A with Purpose of Visit as follows:

• Traveling    
• Emergency and urgent work
• Business meeting
• Purchasing goods
• Film production
• Voluntary, medical, and sustenance work
• Government duty
• Accompanying transport tool in the region of Indonesia
• Development of marine industry (yachters)
• Government duty in accordance with Indonesian Presidential related meetings in G20 or International Assembly of 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)  

Index B211B with Purpose of Visit as follows:

• Candidate of expatriate in working competency trial

Visa for Temporary Resident Permit

• Visa for Temporary Resident Permit - Work
• Index C312 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
• Experts    
• Joining to work on board the ship, floating device, or installation which operates in the water, sea territory, continental shelf, and the exclusive economic zone in Indonesia
• Supervising and monitoring the quality of goods or productions
• Inspection or auditing on company branches in Indonesia
• Post-sales service
• Setting up and repairing mechanics
• Non-permanent construction work
• Film production activity with commercial purpose and have been granted permission from authorized institutions
• Candidate of expatriate in working competency trial

Visa for Temporary Resident Permit - Non-Work

• Index C313 with Purpose of Visit as follows:  Foreign investment with validity period of 1 year      
• Index C314 with Purpose of Visit as follows:  Foreign investment with validity period of 2 year
• Index C316 with Purpose of Visit as follows:  Education and training
• Index C317 with Purpose of Visit as follows:  Family union

Arrival protocols

According to the Instruction of Ministry of Home Affairs No. 58 Year 2021, foreign travelers who intend to visit Bali must go through Soekarno Hatta Airport in Banten, Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport in Riau Islands, or Sam Ratulangi Airport in North Sulawesi beforehand.

When you have arrived in Bali, there are several measures you need to take before you can continue your travel. According to the Circular of Covid-19 Task Force No. 23 Year 2021 as of 29 November 2021, all international travelers, whether they are Indonesian citizens or foreign nationals, should comply with the existing health protocols. 

Foreign travelers who have not visited and/or resided in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, or Lesotho, within 14 (fourteen) days are allowed to enter the territory of Indonesia under the following conditions:

• Through entry points (airports) in Bali and Riau Islands
   
• Can show a card or certificate of receipt of COVID-19 vaccine and a negative RT-PCR test result.
   
• Short Visit Visa or other entry permits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
   
• Proof of ownership of health insurance with a minimum coverage value of USD 100,000 which includes financing for handling COVID-19.
   
• Proof of booking confirmation and payment (booking) for accommodation from the accommodation provider while staying in Indonesia.

Below are the arrival and departure flow you have to follow if you travel to Bali via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport:

International arrival flow

1. Pre Flight
   - Provide a full-dose vaccination certificate (at least 14 days before arrival)
   - Download PeduliLindungi app
   - Register e-PCR
   - Verify your e-Hac
   - Register e-CD (Electronic Custom Declaration)
   - Provide the proof of your quarantine hotel booking
   - Prepare negative PCR result (3x24 hours before arrival)
   - Prepare immigration documents
   - Prepare travel insurance
   
2. Landing in Bali
   - Go to the arrivals terminal
   
3. Go to the arrival terminal
   
4. Thermo Scanner
   - For body temperature below 38°C, proceed to the next step
   - For body temperature exceeding 38°C, a further medical examination will be done immediately. If all health requirements are good, proceed to the next step. If not, travelers will be referred to the nearest hospital
   
5. Port Health Office
   - Enter medical documents check
   - Scan e-HAC QR code
   - Tap QR code
   
6. PCR Swab
   - Taking PCR swab sample
   - Scan QR code
   
7. Immigration
   - Immigration check
   
8. Conveyor Belt
   - Put your luggage in
   
9. Customs
   - Scan e-CD (Electronic Custom Declaration) QR code
   - Customs check
   
10. Holding Area
    - Wait for your PCR test result
   
11. Exit Control Desk
    - Tap QR code
    - Hotel & transport registration
   
12. Positive PCR
    - Nearest hospital
   
13. Negative PCR
    - Pick up zone to stay at a quarantine hotel for 3 days

International departure flow

1. Drop Zone
   
2. Thermo Scanner
   - For body temperature below 38°C, proceed to the next step
   - For body temperature exceeding 38°C, a further medical examination will be done immediately. If all health requirements are good, proceed to the next step. If not, travelers will be referred to the nearest hospital
   
3. AVSEC
   - Flight document and security check
   
4. Check-In
   
5. Tap Boarding Pass
   
6. AVSEC PSCP
   
7. Immigration
   - Immigration check
   
8. Commercial Area
   
9. Waiting Area
   
10. Take Off

Quarantine rules

According to the Addendum of Circular of Covid-19 Task Force No. 23 Year 2021, as of 3 December 2021 you are also required to undergo mandatory 10 x 24 hours quarantine following your arrival, granted that you have received a full-dose vaccine.

• Indonesian citizens who; either directly or through transit in a foreign country, have visited and/or resided in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, or Lesotho, within 14 (fourteen) days will still be allowed to enter Indonesia by doing another RT-PCR test as well as undergoing a 14 x 24 hours quarantine

• For Indonesian citizens, specifically Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI); Students; or Government Employees who return from overseas official trips in accordance with the Decree of the Head of the Task Force Handling COVID-19 Number 14 of 2021, the quarantine accommodations and RT-PCR test will be borne by the government
  
   
• For Indonesian citizens (not on the criteria for the previous points) and foreigners must undergo a self-funded quarantine accommodation (hotels/inns) recommended by the COVID-19 Task Force and have met the terms and conditions of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association and the Ministry of Health.

A day before the quarantine period ends, another RT-PCR test will be conducted. If the test shows a negative result, on the last day of quarantine, you will be declared for completed quarantine. Meanwhile, if the RT-PCR test shows positive result then you will have to undergo the following procedures:

• Treatment in centralized isolation facilities for asymptomatic people and people with mild symptoms.
   
• Treatment at a referral hospital for people with moderate and severe symptoms.
  

For Indonesian citizens , the cost of treatment will be borne by the government. As for foreign travelers, the cost of treatment will be borne independently.

Here is the list of hotels in Indonesia that provide a mandatory quarantine facility.

After you have completed your quarantine, remember to always comply with the health protocols while enjoying Bali tourism again, by keeping necessary habits such as keeping your distance, wearing a mask in public places, and washing hands regularly. Keep yourself updated with the latest information about traveling regulations in Bali by checking out this page.

*Disclaimer : This article was updated on December 3rd, 2021. Due to the dynamic nature of travel regulations, please stay updated and confirm your itinerary with your chosen travel providers.