Visas are back

spicyayam

FB is buzzing with excitement with the news that some visas are open again for applications with your favorite dodgy agent. Just remember to bring your suitcase as backpack(er)s have been banned. https://www.traveloffpath.com/indonesian-minister-backpackers-are-not-welcome-in-bali-upon-reopening/

Balifrog

FB is buzzing with excitement with the news that some visas are open again for applications with your favorite dodgy agent. Just remember to bring your suitcase as backpack(er)s have been banned. https://www.traveloffpath.com/indonesian-minister-backpackers-are-not-welcome-in-bali-upon-reopening/

Going upscale would be a good thing IMO. Problem is that till now a large majority of tourist were Chinese or Aussie bogans, not really the upper side of the market. Not gonna be easy to transform that.

Adam

Luhut is Sumataran I think, isn't he? I would have thought the future direction and destiny of Bali, is best left to the Balinese to decide for themselves, don't you?

JackStraw

Balifrog wrote Going upscale would be a good thing IMO. Problem is that till now a large majority of tourist were Chinese or Aussie bogans, not really the upper side of the market. Not gonna be easy to transform that.

It will be easy because Aussies and Chinese are still not allowed into the country and won't be for some time. Sure, they can get in on the "business" visa but those cost money and will likely weed out most of the backpacker types from those countries.

Markit

JackStraw wrote Well Chinese don't use these shady "business visas" anyway. China won't be back here until borders are fully open to tourists again which will not be until late 2022.

I reckon Christmas time(ish).

Mark

JackStraw wrote Well Chinese don't use these shady "business visas" anyway. China won't be back here until borders are fully open to tourists again which will not be until late 2022.

Yep, and the big problem now for the Chinese is that their borders are closed to prevent them leaving...sort of like Australia;)

Shadrach

Thank you Harryopal! It’s about time we wake up and realize that many of us came with a backpack, because we have been looking at all the world! There is a lot more out there than just Bali! You are right about supporting the poor folk here. Give praise and thanks to all! Peace and Love always, Dennis

Markit

Relax guys! This silly backpack BS was quickly rescinded. I'm guessing they don't ask an adult to check their silly pronouncements for the same reason the Balinese business people never ask a native speaker to check their English language marketing sploodge, ala "Lets join us here!"

harryopal

FB is buzzing with excitement with the news that some visas are open again for applications with your favorite dodgy agent. Just remember to bring your suitcase as backpack(er)s have been banned. https://www.traveloffpath.com/indonesian-minister-backpackers-are-not-welcome-in-bali-upon-reopening/

".... Minister Luhut Pandjaitan spoke of the possibility of Bali being more selective with tourists once it finally reopens once more. Discussing the matter, the minister said: “We will filter tourists that come visit. We don’t want backpackers to come so that Bali remains clean, where the people who come are of quality.” So "quality" people with plenty of money never do drugs, don't engage with prostitution and of course never get involved in shonky big dollar deals? And what is the future for the many thousands of Indonesians with low priced accommodation, warungs, lower cost venues and motor bike renters whose incomes are derived from backpackers?

harryopal

JackStraw wrote It will be easy because Aussies and Chinese are still not allowed into the country and won't be for some time. Sure, they can get in on the "business" visa but those cost money and will likely weed out most of the backpacker types from those countries.

Chinese backpackers? Can't say I have noticed many. Most of them seem to be in groups and while perhaps not "quality" tourists I find it hard to imagine that they will try and "filter out" undesirables. Perhaps along with vaccine passports the regular passports of those born with a silver spoon in their mouths could have a distinguishing stamp to save them needless interrogation and delays

matsaleh

Markit wrote Relax guys! This silly backpack BS was quickly rescinded ...

Well, not entirely. From the latest "Ministry of Human Rights Republic of Indonesia Guidelines for Granting Visas...". This point has been added in the latest edition, dated 17 September, 2021 (From Facebook) ![](https://balipod.com/uploads/attachments/3525-28c1bba47576087c5efef7049f286da2.png The amount required will probably not stop backpackers from entering, but will deter those with limited funds.

JackStraw

harryopal wrote Chinese backpackers? Can't say I have noticed many. Most of them seem to be in groups and while perhaps not "quality" tourists I find it hard to imagine that they will try and "filter out" undesirables. Perhaps along with vaccine passports the regular passports of those born with a silver spoon in their mouths could have a distinguishing stamp to save them needless interrogation and delays

Well Chinese don't use these shady "business visas" anyway. China won't be back here until borders are fully open to tourists again which will not be until late 2022.

harryopal

Pre Covid how many million backpackers entered Bali over say a 5 years period? And how many thousands are itching to jump on a plane when travel settles and flights resume to Bali? So, what happens when many of these arrive at the airport but have less than $2000 given that previously this was not a requirement? Unless there is a procedure for making this requirement known pre flight it will not be good PR if they start deporting people the moment they arrive.

Markit

matsaleh wrote Well, not entirely. From the latest "Ministry of Human Rights Republic of Indonesia Guidelines for Granting Visas...". This point has been added in the latest edition, dated 17 September, 2021 (From Facebook) [ATTACH type="full" alt="1632112011470.png"]3525[/ATTACH] The amount required will probably not stop backpackers from entering, but will deter those with limited funds.

So are the airlines gonna have to check this also before boarding? That should be fun. If not then if they check it here what happens if you only have $1200.00? By "Guarantor" do they mean the agent here?

PERtoDPS

JackStraw wrote It will be easy because Aussies and Chinese are still not allowed into the country and won't be for some time. Sure, they can get in on the "business" visa but those cost money and will likely weed out most of the backpacker types from those countries.

With visa costs dropping as much as they have due to competition I can tell you a few Aussies I know will be back before you know it, but more with some type of relation to here, like a gf wife or some other link to Indonesia, friends with Indonesian family or have a villa here or whatever. I think post covid it's kind of just assumed flight prices are much more for quite some time yet, so yeah I don't imagine the guys who come here from a weekend of whoring and drinking to be back that soon. But I do think you're going to see a lot of people coming in on business visas from all countries. Chinese I wouldn't have a clue.

tel522

PERtoDPS wrote With visa costs dropping as much as they have due to competition I can tell you a few Aussies I know will be back before you know it, but more with some type of relation to here, like a gf wife or some other link to Indonesia, friends with Indonesian family or have a villa here or whatever. I think post covid it's kind of just assumed flight prices are much more for quite some time yet, so yeah I don't imagine the guys who come here from a weekend of whoring and drinking to be back that soon. But I do think you're going to see a lot of people coming in on business visas from all countries. Chinese I wouldn't have a clue.

I doubt many foriegners will come , unless they have a good reason as mentioned , with quarantine on arrival and returning to home country . Never mind if your unlucky enough to get a covid breakthrough , then you can look forward to the "dodgy" lottery of local healthcare .

Shadrach

".... Minister Luhut Pandjaitan spoke of the possibility of Bali being more selective with tourists once it finally reopens once more. Discussing the matter, the minister said: “We will filter tourists that come visit. We don’t want backpackers to come so that Bali remains clean, where the people who come are of quality.” So "quality" people with plenty of money never do drugs, don't engage with prostitution and of course never get involved in shonky big dollar deals? And what is the future for the many thousands of Indonesians with low priced accommodation, warungs, lower cost venues and motor bike renters whose incomes are derived from backpackers?

harryopal

What with Covid checks, security screening and the tedious business involved in baggage and flight checking in it sounds like just more interminable delays as the financial status of arrivals are looked at. "No, Sorry, I am not carrying $2000 cash but I have funds in the bank." "Can you prove that?" "Yes. well I will have to open my laptop. What is the wifi password." Fiddle fiddle. "Hmm. My battery needs charging.... Can I plug in? Do you have an extension cord? Gee, the internet is slow today."

PERtoDPS

There is a similar requirement already in place for current visas(like the last round to come in), it's very loosely enforced and there is no check at the airport. The big majority of these visas are handled by agents who submit the documents along with your vaccine proof and statement letters. It really wouldn't be that hard to photoshop the docs either, just saying, not that I'd advise coming here with no money of course and that would be illegal but I wouldn't be that surprised if someone did that you know all know how dodgey people can be.

matsaleh

So are the airlines gonna have to check this also before boarding? That should be fun. If not then if they check it here what happens if you only have $1200.00? By "Guarantor" do they mean the agent here?

This is for actually granting a B211 visa, not at check in or on arrival and yes, the guarantor referred to is the agent. These are the full requirements for the visa ![](https://balipod.com/uploads/attachments/3528-f076b32eefda0694e28e4491b0d72077.png NB: "Color passport" should read "colored passport photo" https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/covid19/