Visa Extension Indonesia: Expat & Traveler Guide
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Published on October 29, 2025 · 4 min read · by Imam

Visa extension Indonesia. Photograph: jaydeep_ via Pixabay

Planning to stay longer in Indonesia?

Whether you’re visiting for leisure or working remotely, knowing how to extend your visa smoothly is essential.

Recent updates make the process more transparent, so here’s what you need to know.

Key Facts About Extending Your Indonesian Visa

While online applications have made the initial steps easier, extending your Indonesian visa still requires an in-person visit to a local immigration office.

This two-part process has been the standard procedure for a long time.

After you begin your application online, you must show up in person to complete the biometric verification, which includes having your fingerprints and photo taken.

This mandatory step applies to all eligible applicants and is crucial for finalizing the visa extension.

It’s important to remember which visa types are extendable.

The process applies to both the Visa on Arrival (VoA) and single-entry tourist or business visas.

However, multiple-entry visas cannot be extended in Indonesia.

These visas are designed for travelers who plan to make several short trips over a period of one or two years, not for a single long-term stay.

Can You Extend Your Visa?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

VoA (Visa on Arrival / e-VoA): Initially valid for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days.
C-Visas (Tourist/Business): Single-entry visas (“C1,” “C6,” etc.) can be extended, typically twice, with each extension allowing an additional 60 days.
KITAS / KITAP: If you hold a temporary or permanent stay permit, extensions are possible but follow different procedures, often involving a sponsor and additional documentation.

Step-by-Step: How to Extend Your Visa

Visa extension Indonesia. Photograph: Huy Phan via Pexels

Submit a request online or through an agency.
Visit your local immigration office in person for biometric verification.
Pay the required fees, often at a bank or designated payment channel.
Return to pick up your passport only once authorized.

We suggest applying at least 5 days before expiry to avoid hiccups.

Mistakes to Avoid

A story with the headline “‘You’re not going home mate’: Aussie’s Bali visa hell” went viral on News.com.au.

They paid for an extension online but did not attend the mandatory in-person appointment, only discovering the missing step at the airport, causing flight delays, an expensive stay extension, and major stress.

Always follow both steps, online application and in-person validation.

Overstaying without proper extension can cost around IDR 1 million per day, and risks detention or travel bans.

Transitional (Bridging) Visa

If you’re already in Indonesia with a stay permit and need to renew without leaving the country, meet the new “Bridging Visa” or Transitional Residence Permit.

Allows an in-country transition from Visit Stay Permit to KITAS/KITAP.
Valid for 60 days if applied at least 3 days before your current permit expires.
Waives overstay penalties during this grace period.

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Starting the process early, understanding your visa type, and booking biometric appointments are key to avoiding unnecessary stress or fines.

Whether you’re in Bali, Jakarta, or elsewhere, this streamlined process ensures you can stay longer with confidence.

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