Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

I went to Bali last week for a visa run (tourist visa). I'll start this off right away by saying that I was not able to get my visa in Bali and I had to return on a 30 day entry stamp, but I thought I'd post where I went wrong for anyone else thinking of going to Bali for visa run.

Thai Air Asia had a good promo on the Thai language part of the site last month and I got a round trip ticket to Bali from BKK for less than 3000 Baht. I took the Sombat VIP bus from Chiang Mai Arcade Terminal to BKK for about 500 Baht (approx). They have an overnight bus that arrives in BKK at about 3am, and Air Asia's normal flight to Bali leaves at 6am, so the timing is great.

I had no problems arriving at Denpasar Airport, they have visa on arrival, lots of immigration booths and I moved through the airport very quickly. I've read people saying that the Denpasar airport was bad in the past, but they must have made improvements because I had no problems. Don't exchange money in the airport though, the rates are horrible. That goes without saying. After coming out the front of the airport, the metered taxi stand is to the right. You have to pass through the mob of overpriced private taxis trying to grab your bags from you.

Bali has hundreds of hotels from dirt cheap to $$$$ a night; you can easily find what suits you. I stayed in the Kuta area and just walked around looking at rooms till I found one that suited me. I looked at about 10 places, all within a few hundred meters of each other, and all of them had available rooms. I wouldn't bother booking ahead.

I had two possible addresses for the Thai consul that I got from a Google search, but neither one turned out to be correct. I asked the receptionist at my hotel to call information and find the address and phone number of the consul. She wrote it on a piece of paper for me which was convenient for showing a cab driver. The consul is about 45 minutes from Kuta, but I couldn't tell you where because I fell asleep in the cab. Sorry, I forgot to keep the address and number to post here; I threw it away without thinking.

1st problem with the Thai consul. They insisted that I have a departure plane ticket from Thailand. I know everyplace says you're supposed to have this, but this was the first time anyone has forced the issue. I explained that I was going to take the bus to Vientiane next time I left Thailand and wouldn't be flying out but it didn't matter. This pissed me off because it meant I would have to buy a throw away ticket.

2nd problem, and the one that killed it for me. Even though it was Monday morning, I was told I wouldn't get my passport and visa back until Thursday afternoon. My plane back was Thursday afternoon. Bad planning on my part, but I mistakenly thought the turnaround would be quicker, and I'm attending school in Thailand. I didn't want to miss too many days of class. Anyway, this was too close for me and I didn't want to buy a plane ticket to nowhere anyway. I gave up and left.

As for whether they give double entry visas, I forgot to ask. Sorry. What else… they wanted 3 photos for the visa app, and they wanted the fees in US dollars.

Bali is cheap, on par with Thailand, but the touts are a little annoying. I didn't like the fact that people physically grab you and try to pull you into their crappy souvenir shops. All in all, I didn't like the place and wouldn't go back. I'll keep my reasons to myself though because lots of people love Bali and that's another discussion entirely.

Exchange your money back to Baht or US Dollars before you leave. I've been back in Thailand a few days now and am having a hel_l of a time finding someplace that will take Indonesian Rupiah for a reasonable price. Hang onto a little though because there is a 150,000 rupiah fee, cash, to leave the Denpasar airport.

Posted
Exchange your money back to Baht or US Dollars before you leave. I've been back in Thailand a few days now and am having a hel_l of a time finding someplace that will take Indonesian Rupiah for a reasonable price. Hang onto a little though because there is a 150,000 rupiah fee, cash, to leave the Denpasar airport.

I posted this somewhere else today already.

I wonder that there are still people who try to change money directly from one currency to the other when travelling within ASEAN. They Indo Rupiah is RUBBISH in particular, and nowhere in Thailand you will be able to get a decent rate for that.

I repeat: If travelling within ASEAN countries, ALWAYS BUY DOLLARS OR EURO before leaving one country, and then change the Dollars/Euro again when arriving at your destination. That way, you may lose 4-7% of the money's value. If you change directly, you will lose 20-50%.

I dont know how often this has been mentioned and mentioned again, but seems like some people will never learn....

Posted

Errrr....

You just report that you are not able to get visa from Bali in case you don't have correct documents to show and not enough time to get your passport back. So what else is new ?

Anyways, you say you are studying in Thailand, why not try ED visa ?

Posted

The departure fee I believe was 100,000 rupiah last time I went there. There would not be a problem to get ED visa there but thanks for letting us know that it would take 4 days, that is too long. In most consulates it is possible to get your visa back the next day.

My Facebook: Mac Walen - www.facebook.com/macwalen - you are welcome to add me, never too many friends.

Posted
Errrr....

You just report that you are not able to get visa from Bali in case you don't have correct documents to show and not enough time to get your passport back. So what else is new ?

It's useful information because documentation requirements differ from consular office to consular office, as do the turnaround times for processing visa applications. On the ground reports with current information such as the OP should be encouraged, not smugly dismissed. Errr.... yourself. :o

Posted
Errrr....

You just report that you are not able to get visa from Bali in case you don't have correct documents to show and not enough time to get your passport back. So what else is new ?

It's useful information because documentation requirements differ from consular office to consular office, as do the turnaround times for processing visa applications. On the ground reports with current information such as the OP should be encouraged, not smugly dismissed. Errr.... yourself. :o

Exactly!.... Which is why I say "Thank you, HTWoodson"... Please realize that there are many, many more posters that are very appreciative of efforts exactly like yours that seek to inform the forum, rather than those that will ridicule someone trying to do so.

Posted

:o

I need to go end of the month and was thinking Bali as one of the options as i haven't been there for couple of years.

So actually would be nice to know what are the documentation requirements, location to apply and costs.

Maybe the OP could list the details as well ?

I kinda already know that it will not work out if i just show up with my passport.

//Edit: deleted unrelated multiple nested quotes -- Maestro

Posted
...So actually would be nice to know what are the documentation requirements, location to apply and costs.

Maybe the OP could list the details as well ?

I kinda already know that it will not work out if i just show up with my passport.

Yea, sorry about the lack of detail as to paperwork. I've been attending AUA in Chiang Mai and they don't give visa assistance, so I'm stuck with tourist visas. Didn't really have any paperwork because all I was asking for was another tourist visa.

Posted
Exactly!.... Which is why I say "Thank you, HTWoodson"...

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. I would have tried to put give more detail, but it didn't occur to me to post a report until after I got back. Next time.

Posted
:o

I need to go end of the month and was thinking Bali as one of the options as i haven't been there for couple of years.

So actually would be nice to know what are the documentation requirements, location to apply and costs.

Maybe the OP could list the details as well ?

I kinda already know that it will not work out if i just show up with my passport.

//Edit: deleted unrelated multiple nested quotes -- Maestro

For a tourist visa, may I suggest you to stopover in Jakarta,

as I did last year.

At that time, it was as easygoing as Vientiane but without the queue!

  • 1 year later...
Posted

Very useful review, thanks.

The departure fee I believe was 100,000 rupiah last time I went there.

As on April the 2nd 2010 the departure fee is 150k Rupiah.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Thanks for your report, we don't get meny reports about Bali and some memebrs will find it useful.

ok thank you for your time in writing that. i know you say you didnt get your visa but there was a consulate and you could have if timing was better??? I am trying to do a WORK visa run next week there but im trying to get my non imm. B. Do you happen to know anything bout that? Im not worried so much about the turnaround but more so if they can even do a work visa for me? any insight?

Posted

Thanks for your report, we don't get meny reports about Bali and some memebrs will find it useful.

ok thank you for your time in writing that. i know you say you didnt get your visa but there was a consulate and you could have if timing was better??? I am trying to do a WORK visa run next week there but im trying to get my non imm. B. Do you happen to know anything bout that? Im not worried so much about the turnaround but more so if they can even do a work visa for me? any insight?

Just letting you know this thread is 16 months old.

Posted

Below is current information for Royal Thai Consulate on Bali:

Open for application only from 9.00 - 12.00, Monday - Friday.

Using 3 working days to process.

Collection time 13.30 - 16.00.

Royal Thai Consulate

Jl.Raya Puputan No.4X Renon

Denpasar Bali

80235 Indonesia

Tel: +62361249461

Fax: +62361249462

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a115489-Visa-Requirementsdoc.html

I posted on the main page too, but I couldn't follow this link. Does it by any chance lead to an email address? I'm trying to find out if it's even possible to get a visa in Bali.

Posted

All I can say is is that it is very sad this poor chap went to Bali for the wrong reasons and never realized he was in the most beautiful country in the world. He could have taken a taxi two hours from kuta to padang bai and stayed in paradise near the coral reefs.What a waste...

Kuta is the sespool of Bali and has been that way since the 1700's much as pattaya is the sespool of Thailand.

Posted

The link works in FF but not in Google and has to be opened in Word. Below is the text:

For a Tourist Visa: (Can be issue only a single entry one)

1. 3 Photos of the applicant ( in passport size preferable)

2. A copy of the passport ( Front Page)

3. A copy of the return ticket ( ticket out of Thailand)

*please be noted that from May 11, 2010 – March 31, 2010 the visa is free,

Due to our new Tourism Campaign.

For a Transit Visa: (can be issue up to a double entry one)

1. 3 Photos of the applicant ( in passport size preferable)

2. A copy of the passport ( Front Page)

3. A copy of the return ticket ( ticket out of Thailand)

4. USD 30 for a 2-week Single Entry (Maximum 2 Entries)

For a Non-Immigrant “B” Visa: (Can be issue only a single entry one)

1. 3 Photos of the applicant ( in passport size preferable)

2. A copy of the passport ( Front Page)

3. A Sponsored letter

4. A Company Registration

5. An Annual Tax Payment (from the Company)

6. USD 65 for a 3-month single entry (cannot be granted more)

For a Non-Immigrant “O” Visa: (Can be issue only a single entry one)

1. 3 Photos of the applicant ( in passport size preferable)

2. A copy of the passport ( Front Page)

3. A Sponsored letter

4. A Company Registration (Or a Foundation Registration)

5. USD 65 for a 3-month single entry (cannot be granted more)

For a Non-Immigrant Visa “ED” Visa: (Can be issue only a single entry one)

1. 3 Photos of the applicant ( in passport size preferable)

2. A copy of the passport ( Front Page)

3. A Sponsored letter

4. A School/University Registration

5. An Annual Tax Payment (From the school/University)

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...