Indonesia’s Wider Visa-Free Plan Still Under Review for Bali Travellers

Denpasar — — Indonesia is considering a broader expansion of visa-free entry, but as of mid-September 2026 the plan remains a proposal rather than a confirmed change to immigration rules for travellers to Bali or elsewhere in the country, according to recent government and media reports.

The Directorate General of Immigration and other state bodies have publicly urged caution over any large-scale visa-free expansion, stressing the need to balance tourism objectives with revenue, reciprocity and border security, according to coverage of comments by Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko and the State Audit Agency (BPK).

While Indonesia has made some targeted adjustments to its visa-free list in 2026, these have been implemented through specific regulations and public announcements, and not as a blanket waiver for a broad new group of countries.

What travellers can confirm now

Recent reporting describes a Tourism Ministry proposal to extend visa-free entry to additional “high-potential” visitor markets, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India and New Zealand, but emphasises that this remains under consideration by immigration authorities and other ministries.

Officials and oversight bodies have highlighted that any expansion must undergo comprehensive review, including economic impact, reciprocity and immigration risks, before being adopted as policy.

Separate regulations that did take effect in July 2026 added a limited number of countries and territories—such as Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau and Belarus—to Indonesia’s visa-free list, allowing short stays without a visa for tourism or social visits.

Travellers should therefore base their plans on the currently applicable rules for their nationality, including visa-free eligibility where already granted and the existing Visa on Arrival scheme, rather than assuming that a broader visa-free policy has already been approved.

Key points for Bali-bound visitors

Bali is one of Indonesia’s main international gateways, and visitors often book flights and accommodation months in advance.

Using an unconfirmed visa-free proposal as the basis for travel planning could affect airline boarding, admission at immigration counters and a visitor’s ability to remain in Indonesia lawfully if the expected waiver is not in force on arrival.

Reports quoting immigration officials note concerns that past visa-free policies did not deliver the anticipated increase in tourism revenue and may have introduced additional security and enforcement challenges.

Those concerns have contributed to a cautious approach to any new expansion, with immigration authorities indicating that selective policies and rigorous screening should continue even where visa-free facilities are granted.

Current developments and context

Indonesia has been actively adjusting its entry framework in 2026, including a proposal to restructure Visa on Arrival fees and to expand visa-free access in a targeted way, while keeping the core entry requirements in place until new regulations formally take effect.

According to recent reports, the House of Representatives has asked immigration officials to reconsider visa-free status for certain additional countries, but this request itself does not create a new right of entry; any change would need to be implemented through an immigration or ministerial regulation and publicly announced.

Oversight by bodies such as BPK has underscored that suspending previous visa-free policies increased immigration non-tax revenue while foreign tourist arrivals continued to rise, reinforcing the push for careful assessment before reintroducing or expanding visa-free facilities.

Given this environment, travellers heading to Bali are advised to verify requirements via official Indonesian immigration or diplomatic channels shortly before departure, and to ensure they meet existing conditions such as passport validity, onward travel, accommodation and any applicable visa or fee obligations.

Sources

• South China Morning Post – Indonesia’s immigration chief urges rethink on wider visa-free access
• TravelMole – Indonesia: visa-free expansion despite security concerns?
• Jakarta Globe – Indonesia Urged to Review Visa-Free Expansion as Revenue Climbs
• The Jakarta Post – Indonesia opts against visa fee hike to spur tourism
• Indonesian National Police news portal – Indonesia Approves Free Visa Facility for Kazakhstan and Macau Travelers
• Travel and Tour World – Indonesia and Australia Tourism Surges but Australian Travellers Still Face IDR 500000 Visa Fee
• Digital Nomad GG – Indonesia Proposes Higher Visa on Arrival Fees, With a Discount for Online Filing
• VisasUpdate – Indonesia Visa-Free Expansion 2026: Key Country Access
• Indonesia Expat