What to Do When You Are Having Visa Problems in Bali
Mar 12, 2023
2 min read
Updated:
Mar 16, 2023
What are the consequences of visa problems in Bali?
How does the Immigration know who work without a KITAS?
What to do when the Indonesian Immigration holds your passport to investigate a visa violation
What to do when you have overstayed your visa in Bali
In 2017, Joseph (43, Canada) and Hald (29, Denmark) were working as diving instructors in Singaraja, Northern Bali.
Their tropical dream job got an abrupt end when the couple was arrested for violating their residence permits (KITAS) and were soon after deported from Indonesia.
According to the local officials, the two expats had work permits for being a president director and a sales manager when in reality, they were working as diving instructors.
There are thousands of stories like Joseph and Hald’s. We at
VIVO ASIA
want to make sure that expats can enjoy living and doing business in Bali without having to be afraid of problems with the Immigration.
However, if you are already experiencing visa troubles in Bali,
VIVO ASIA
can help you.
What are the consequences of visa problems in Bali?
In the case of tourist visa overstays in Bali, deportation, and fines are likely. While some may consider these penalties manageable, overstaying could affect your future chances of re-entering the country.
For work law violations, however, the official penalty is five years of imprisonment or a fine of IDR 500 million (~US$ 35,000).
How does the Immigration know who work without a KITAS?
Local immigration officers perform regular site inspections and passport checks all over the island.
However, in many cases, the Immigration authorities already know about the KITAS violations because their competitors have reported them.
What to do when the Indonesian Immigration holds your passport to investigate a visa violation
The most common reasons why foreigners in Bali fall under investigation is because they are:
Earning income from Indonesia without a work permit
Freelancing in Bali while holding a tourist visa
Renting out property in Bali without a company or a KITAS
Holding a different position than listed in their KITAS
Working in multiple companies with a work permit from only one company
Keep in mind that if the Immigration wants to penalize a foreigner for any of these reasons, they have to take the case to court. In the case of work permit violations, it may prompt more investigation into company licenses, which could have a knock-on effect on the entire organization.
Whatever the case, remember that VIVO ASIA can help with your immigration problems in Bali. We will meet the immigration officials on your behalf to:
find out what your violation is
negotiate the fine
help you settle the situation before it escalates into a lawsuit
Not sure whether you are staying and working in Bali legally? We can check your documentation and help you avoid visa problems in Bali. Reach out to us via
vivoasiamanagement@gmail.com
for a complimentary consultation.
Legal & Visas
Lifestyle
Related Posts
See All
Living in Bali
What happens in the case of a divorce?
Spouse sponsored marriage KITAS in Indonesia
Original reference: Vivo Asia Group website ↗
Share your goals and timing in the form below. We’ll use your brief to identify the right next conversation.