Beware Bali eVisa scam websites

The West Australian reported on June 2 that travelers heading to Bali were being tripped up by unofficial visa websites that appeared to offer Indonesia eVisa processing but charged far more than the government fee. The paper cited one reader who said she paid $470 for duplicate documents for herself and her husband and was left unsure which visa, if any, was valid. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration says the official eVisa portal is evisa.imigrasi.go.id and that the electronic visa on arrival can be applied for online through that government site. ### How are travelers getting caught? The West Australian said the problem starts with search results and unofficial sites that mimic the look of a government service while charging extra fees. The traveler quoted by the paper said she ended up with duplicate documents after using the online system and was trying to work out how to verify them and seek a refund. The newspaper advised readers to use only official government websites carrying the “go.id” domain. (thewest.com.au) Indonesia’s immigration portal identifies itself as “The Official eVisa website for Indonesia” and says it is run by the Directorate General of Immigration. ### What is the official Bali tourist visa channel? Indonesia’s immigration authority says the official portal for eVisa applications is evisa.imigrasi.go.id. (thewest.com.au) The site says applicants can apply, pay online and download an approved visa sent by email. The West Australian said Bali-bound tourists seeking the electronic visa on arrival, or B1 tourist visa, should select the tourism-related options on that official site. The paper said the visa allows a 30-day stay and can be extended online for another 30 days. (thewest.com.au) ### What should the visa cost? The West Australian reported that the electronic visa on arrival costs Rp500,000, or about $50. Indonesia’s immigration information page also describes the visitor visa as a single-entry visa for a 30-day stay for purposes including tourism. (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) The gap between that official fee and the $470 paid by one reader for two applications is the clearest sign that some travelers are paying substantial markups through third-party services. (thewest.com.au) The government portal says payment can be made through SIMPONI or by Mastercard, Visa or JCB credit or debit card. ### How can travelers check whether a site is official? The “go.id” suffix is the first check highlighted by The West Australian. (thewest.com.au) The paper told readers to use official government sites only, and Indonesia’s immigration portal is hosted on the imigrasi.go.id domain. The immigration site also lists official functions beyond the visa itself, including online status tracking and arrival card submission. (thewest.com.au) That matters because third-party sites often bundle services that the government already provides directly. ### Is the arrival card separate from the visa? Indonesia’s immigration portal says all travelers must submit an arrival card within three days before arriving in Indonesia. The West Australian separately pointed readers to the official arrival-card website, allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id, and said it can only be completed within three days of the arrival date and time. (thewest.com.au) Ngurah Rai in Bali is listed by Indonesia’s immigration authority as one of the entry points for visitor visa holders. (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) Travelers going to Bali therefore need both the correct visa channel and the separate arrival-card step completed through the immigration system before departure or shortly before arrival. ### What should travelers do next? The West Australian’s advice was to start again from the official immigration portal if there is any doubt about a visa application. (thewest.com.au) Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration says applicants can track visa status online through its site, while the arrival card can only be filed in the three-day window before entry. (evisa.imigrasi.go.id)