INDONESIA: AU$50 Visa fee to go, AU$15 Bali tourist tax to start for Australians

Indonesia is set to abolish its current AU$50 visa fee for Australians and a raft of other tourists. However, it will introduce a regional entrance tourist tax for those arriving in Bali.

Background

Pre-pandemic, there was no visa fee for Australians entering Indonesia. The visa-on-arrival fee was re-introduced as part of post-pandemic protocols and has stayed on.

Visa fee – begone!

Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, proposes that travellers from twenty countries, in addition to ASEAN nations (who already have reciprocal visa-free travel), should be granted visa-free travel to Indonesia. The ministry is recommending 20 countries that represent Indonesia’s largest source of tourists.

“At the top are Australia, China, India, South Korea, the United States, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, and five other additional countries are countries related to investment contributions and the economic impact on Indonesia, Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and several other countries.”

Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies

Bali tourist tax

The Visa fee might be going, but a location-based Bali Tourist Tax of AU$15 will come into effect on 14 February 2024 and will apply to all tourists entering the island whether from Indonesia or from overseas. The fee can be paid electronically on arrival.

2PAXfly Takeout

Although an AU$50 is unlikely to discourage many tourists, its removal will be welcomed. The new destination tax of AU$15 is insignificant for most tourists. Still, it should assist the Indonesian province’s finances, helping them cover some of the costs of servicing such a tourist-heavy economy.