Starting from February 2024, tourists visiting Bali will be required to pay a $10 (AED37) entry fee per person, according to recent announcements.
This move is part of Bali's initiative to enhance its tourism sustainability and environmental conservation efforts, aiming to "clean up its tourism scene," as reported by Bloomberg.
Effective next February, tourists will need to pay 150,000 rupiah ($10) per individual upon entry to the island. These funds will be allocated towards conserving coral reefs, mangroves, and other sustainable projects, explained Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, the head of the tourism office, in an interview on Thursday.
The fee must be settled before or upon arrival, with specific details still under discussion, Pemayun noted.
Following its reopening to tourists in March, Bali experienced a surge in international visitors, notably from Australia, India, and Russia. By July, the province had already exceeded its annual tourism targets, originally set at 4.5 million international visitors.
Between January and the end of May, the island welcomed a total of 4.25 million visitors. However, in response to inappropriate behavior by some visitors, including public nudity, Governor Wayan Koster imposed stricter tourism regulations. Over 100 individuals have reportedly been deported this year due to such actions.
These new policies encompass mandatory official licenses for scooter rentals and penalties for those staying in unregistered accommodations. Additionally, mountain hiking and volcano visits have been prohibited. Travellers arriving in Bali will receive a guidebook outlining dos and don'ts, including avoiding public swearing, touching sacred trees, disrupting traditional ceremonies, and maintaining modest attire when visiting temples.
Introducing Bali's New Golden Visa Scheme In parallel, Indonesia has unveiled plans to streamline immigration regulations to encourage foreign investment and attract entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities within the country. This includes the introduction of a golden visa programme, announced during the G20 Bali summit the previous year, set to be implemented by the end of this year.
The residency-by-investment visa programme targets international talent in sectors such as health, research, and technology, with a focus on Bali. The programme offers two options, each with a validity of five or ten years, providing benefits like property ownership rights, streamlined visa processes, multiple entries into Indonesia, and even potential fast-tracking for future citizenship applications. While specific details are still being finalized, the scheme is expected to include financial commitments similar to the second-home visa introduced in December.
The visa's launch, originally planned for June of the previous year, was delayed due to administrative issues. Indonesia's Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, confirmed that the roll-out to select individuals will now occur by the end of the third quarter.
For digital nomads residing in Bali and earning income from abroad, the B211a socio-cultural visa, offering six months for remote work, remains a viable option. Additionally, Indonesia is developing a five-year "digital nomad" visa tailored for those working remotely for offshore companies.
Travelers can still make use of the visa on arrival, priced at 500,000 Indonesian rupiah ($32), valid for 30 days, with a single extension option for an extra 30 days.
