Bali Immigration Rejects 10 Foreigners

[george]

Bali immigration rejects 10 foreigners without visas

BALI: The first four days of the new visa policy have seen 10 tourists denied entry into the country's major tourist destination Bali, but officials say the policy has paid dividends.

Fifty-one foreigners were refused entry nationwide in the first two days of the scheme, which the government said had generated over US$140,000.

Bali immigration office chief Gde Widiartha said on Wednesday the 10 tourists could not enter the island as their countries were among those excluded from the list of visa-free or visa-on-arrival recipients.

"These holiday-makers are citizens of countries that are not listed as recipients of either the free visa for short-term visit (BVKS) or the visa on arrival (VOA). They should have applied for visas at the Indonesian Embassy in their respective countries beforehand," Widiartha said.

Three of the visitors were from Austria, three from the Netherlands, two from Sweden and two from Mexico. Nine of them arrived at Ngurah Rai airport on Tuesday, while the rest reached Bali on Wednesday. Most of them were elderly people, who traveled via Bangkok or Singapore.

The airlines, responsible for carrying the tourists had informed the tourists of the new visa policy, Widiartha said. "Unfortunately, they ignored the warning, hoping they could settle things upon their arrival here," he said.

After two days of implementation, the government claimed the policy was a success, generating $143,270 in state revenue.

Director-General of Immigration Iman Santoso said on Tuesday the money was collected from entry points across the country.

Data showed about 900 foreigners applied for visas on arrival at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hata airport and some 2,000 in Bali's Ngurah Rai airport on the first day of the policy's application. The number in Bali increased to about 2,700 on the second day.

Many in the country's tourist industry have expressed fears the new policy would discourage foreign tourists from traveling to Indonesia. They have demanded the scheme be shortened to a one-month trial.

Under the new policy, a visa on arrival costs $10 for a three-day stay, and $25 for 30-day stay.

Also on Wednesday, an Italian national was sent back to his country after immigration officials decided his drunkenness was disturbing other passengers. The man, whose identity was not revealed, arrived at Ngurah Rai on Monday. He was taken to a nearby health clinic, where he spent the night.

"Although he is a citizen of the country that receives a VOA facility, we decided he might cause problems here, therefore we sent him back to his country on Wednesday," Widiartha said.

The BVKS privilege is given to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Macau, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam, while the 21 countries that are entitled to VOAs are the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand and Taiwan.

--Jakarta Post 2004-02-05

[pnustedt]

Fifty-one foreigners were refused entry nationwide in the first two days of the scheme, which the government said had generated over US$140,000.

I would have thought that most tourists would spend at least US$4,000 on a trip to Indonesia - if 51 have been turned away it looks pretty dumb to me. I expect many more went elsewhere.

[ovenman]

I would have thought that most tourists would spend at least US$4,000 on a trip to Indonesia - if 51 have been turned away it looks pretty dumb to me. I expect many more went elsewhere.

Using your numbers, the Indonesian tourism industry may have lost US$204,000 from these turned-away people but the goverment was able to line its collective pockets with US$140,000 so I guess that makes it okay.

Indonesia's loss = somebody else's gain.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Airlines are usually much too bright to let 'em on board without the necessary visa.Aviation rules provide for a fine for the airline to carry someone in without one

[ovenman]

I doubt that this will remain a problem with the airlines for any length of time but considering how Indonesia has been stalling the implementation of this visa policy for the last year, I can understand the initial confusion.

[dutch]

Mr.Ovenman,

Welcome to Indonesia

That is exact the correct calculation.

about 200K to the " normal " people or 140K to the officials!

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

They're all slavvering over the US$140,000 !!

When I lived in Indonesia, I worked on a 'mandatory health insurance' scheme whereby all visitors to Bali would get surcharged on their airticket, (never got off the ground).

All the politicians, army and police generals had a share of the equity. Its all just a con.

[heychay]

I was planning on a trip to Bali to get away for SongKran, but now looking elsewhere. So Indo immigration can figure in what i would have spent on air, 5 days hotel, taxis, food, etc, etc... while they are figuring out their big successful program.

[Guest The Judge]

Probably better not to expect too much... look where they are from. Dummies. Bit like australia...bigger dimwits.

[lopburi3]

National AUSTRIA (AT)          /Destination INDONESIA (ID)

INDONESIA (ID)

Passport required (must be valid at least 6 months after date

of entry).

Visa required (minors must hold separate visas).

Non-compliance with the entry regulations will result in fines

for carriers of USD 3,000.- per passenger. Moreover, passenger

will be refused entry and deported by same aircraft.

Warning! Should visitors over stay in Indonesia, they will

be liable to fines and possible imprisonment.

For full details see: For details, click here item 1.

For travel to Irian Jaya a special permit "Surat Jalan" is

required. For full details, see For details, click here item 2.

It can't be much clearer than that. Looks like they made an extra 30 grand if fines were imposed. Wonder if airline carried them on condition they pay any fines?

[george]

Immigration tells 80 Bali tourists to get lost

JAKARTA: It has only been a month since the visa on arrival (VoA) policy was introduced in February, but so far 80 foreign tourists from 13 countries have been barred from entering Bali.

Ngurah Rai Immigration Office chief I Gede Widiartha said on Friday that the bans had been imposed for various reasons.

The main reason was failure to obtain visas from the Indonesian embassies in their respective countries as required by the new policy.

They either forgot or were not informed that their countries were not among the nine countries and two territories whose citizens do not need to get visas when they arrive in Indonesia, as well as the 20 states and one territory whose citizens are permitted to obtain visas-on-arrival, Widiartha said.

These people come from, among other countries, Ireland, Austria, Spain and Sweden.

Several other persons, including a Thai tourist and a U.S. national, were turned away for various other reasons, including politics, crime and drugs, although their countries are accorded visa-on-arrival facilities (VoA) or visa-free facilities (BVKS).

Widiartha explained that during February, the number of tourists arriving in Bali via Ngurah Rai Airport was 84,348.

In more detail, 5,584 tourists used the visa-free facility, 10,591 entered using ordinary visas, 3,507 entered on three-day visas on arrival (each paying US$10, making a total of $35,070), and 64,666 tourists entered on 30-day VoAs (each paying $25, making a total of $1,616,650).

Since the introduction of the VoA policy, the Ngurah Rai Immigrations Office has collected around Rp 13.9 billion in fees.

The new VoA policy, which took effect on Feb. 1 this year, has restricted visa-free entry to tourists from only 11 countries -- instead of the previous 48.

The countries include Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Macao, China, Peru and Morocco.

The 21 nationalities that lose their visa-free status but are still able to apply for a 30-day visa on arrival include the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

The new policy also cuts the length of stay in Indonesia for short-term visitors from 60 days to only 30 days with an optional US$10 payment for three-day visit and $25 for a 30-day visit.

The affected countries are by far the largest contributors of tourists to Bali. Three of the countries -- Japan, followed by Australia and South Korea -- are the island's biggest tourist markets.

--The Jakarta Post 2004-03-06

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The other tough rule Indonesia has is the 6 month passport validity. A day under six months, and they won't let you in the country.

[Pi Sua]

I wonder what is the purpose of this 6 month passeport validity as you have to apply for a visa which is limited....

Probably a stupid idiot one day in a country had this nonsense idea and the sheep follow......

[manfromoz]

The six month validity on your passport is pretty standard for any country. I suppose it to take account of visa extensions, changes of policy etc.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The six month validity on your passport is pretty standard for any country. I suppose it to take account of visa extensions, changes of policy etc.

Where the passport holders country has a diplomatic legation in place, it does seem an unnecesary rule. In effect a ten year passport becomes a nine and a half year passport.

[manfromoz]

Dr PP,

you have around long enough to know that if a government (any government) can take more money off of you and get you to think that you aren't really get ripped off they will.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Dr PP,

you have around long enough to know that if a government (any government) can take more money off of you and get you to think that you aren't really get ripped off they will. 

They all see that as a first priority Oz...painless extraction

[englishoak]

Shame about the new visa regs in Indonesia.At least the price is inline with most other asian countries. Not that the people will see any benefit.

Only gripe I have is there does not seem to be a two month visa available or more........ One month is fine for a small holiday or visit to one or even two of the big Islands, but if you realy want to see Indonesia you do need a couple of months.It's a big place in terms of Islands, about a dozen with distinct differences in culture etc........

Its a great place to go for a few months when the rains hit Thailand, Plus it's very cheap and the people are quite lovely and the Diving is breathtaking . Don't believe all the rubbish you here about Muslim countries etc ........

Ah well mabe later eh ? iv'e got to run as i'm late for prayer .......