More Good News: Indonesia reduces the quarantine related regulations significantly

Effective 8th of March, Indonesia implements new quarantine regulations and makes travelling to Bali much easier. Of course the hope is, that more travellers will now decide to travel to Bali and the harshly hit tourism industry can gradually recover. 

There are still regulations to follow and the Visa on Arrival is only valid for 23 nationalities. But compared to everything that Bali experienced during the last 2 years of the pandemic, this is the first time, that one can remotely say: Bali is open again.

The new quarantine regulations that apply for all nationalities in detail:

• you need a confirmed Hotel Booking for 3 nights / 4 days in a government certified hotel (CHSE). Some hotels will now offer a carefree “warm-up” package that takes care of everything
• first PCR test at the airport, we advise to book hotel packages where this this PCR test is already included
• guests need to wait in their hotel room until they get the result. We are not aware how long this would take, but depending on your time of arrival it can happen same day, or next morning.
• If the test is negative you can freely enjoy Bali, but you cannot travel onwards to another hotel, particularly not leave Bali and go to Lombok or Java
• 2nd PCR test on the 3rd day of your stay. Also here we suggest to book a hotel where this is already handled and arranged for you
• If the second test is negative, you can check out the next day and then go to other hotels or other islands
• Other regulations are still in place: fully vaccinated, arrive with a negative PCR test, travel insurance covering covid related expenses (some hotels offer packages including an insurance that is accepted).

There are some details that the government has not specified and some travellers might still have some questions. Those details will probably be clarified  in the days to come.

On the 6th of March the Visa on Arrival has been made possible for travellers from following countries, but only if you arrive in Bali. the nationalities listed below can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Bali:

The Visa on Arrival is valid for 30 days and can be extended once while in Bali. After 60 days you must leave the country, You cannot apply for another onshore visa.

What about the other travellers

If your nationality is not listed above you still need to apply for a Visit Visa B211A. This Visa is valid for 60 days and can be extended up to 4 times (each extension for 30 days).

So if you wish to stay longer than 60 days you need a B211A Visa, even if you could get a Visa on Arrival.

The regulations have been published by the government in SE Satgas No 12 and 13.

Very Good News: Immigration Department finally confirmed the Visa on Arrival – at least for some countries

Effective 7th of March the nationalities listed below can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Bali, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for 30 days. This is for tourism purpose only and ONLY APPLIES FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING DIRECTLY IN BALI – not Jakarta:

The Immigration Department has posted a statement on their instagram account. LINK.

All travellers arriving in Jakarta still need a B211A Visa.

UPDATE FROM 8th of March:

ARTICLE: QUARANTINE CHANGES FINALLY CONFIRMED

Current quarantine regulations

2 and 3 doses (boosted) – 3×24 hours quarantine (2 nights)

1 dose – 7×24 hours quarantine (6 nights)

The media has been writing about major upcoming changes in travel regulations

Bapak Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali, has issued several minutes meetings where he announced the plans to re-introduce the Visa on Arrival for 23 countries and also stop the mandatory quarantine requirements as early as 7th of March, some say 16th of March.

However, none of these major changes, that would finally be worthy of saying: “Bali is open again”, are confirmed by the responsible ministries in Jakarta. We are still waiting for an official response, until then the current regulations (B211A Visa and mandatory quarantine in a certified hotel), are in place.

The quarantine hotels, who should be the first to know, so far have not been instructed to change their protocols. 

VISA ON ARRIVAL PLANS:

For now, the plan is to allow a visa on Arrival for following countries. THIS WOULD ONLY APPLY FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING DIRECTLY IN BALI – not Jakarta or other airports:

QUARANTINE CHANGES THAT MIGHT COME:

It is uncertain at this point, what the exact plans are regarding the quarantine regulations. The rumours are, that travellers will have to self-quarantine in a hotel for 3 (or 4) nights. 1st PCR test at the airport and second PCR test on the 3rd day. The hotel will then be able to release the traveller next day, if the test is negative.

How this would be handled in real life so to speak, and if the hotels can manage such a protocol on such a short notice, is unclear. And as it seems, that would still be some sort of quarantine.

Impact on Travel Planning

“Bali” hopes, that any of these new regulations will be implemented soon, so that the tourism industry can gradually recover from the shutdown since March 2020. 

For now, travel planning is still difficult for anybody who wants to come, particularly within the next few weeks, because none of these announcements have been confirmed. We expect that more announcements will come soon. If you can wait a bit with your visa and quarantine hotel decisions, please do so.

What has been confirmed already, which is already an important step, that travellers with also 2 doses of vaccine only have to quarantine for 3×24 hours.

Current quarantine regulations

2 and 3 doses (boosted) – 3×24 hours quarantine (2 nights)

1 dose – 7×24 hours quarantine (6 nights)