Avoid this $2,000 visa mistake – advice from an Aussie traveller who learned the hard way
- Replies 13
There’s nothing worse than preparing for a fun holiday overseas only to have a crucial misstep leave you out of pocket after your trip.
Take, for example, this Australian traveller who recently returned from a gorgeous holiday, only to find herself facing a rather exorbitant and unexpected visa mistake – costing her a whopping $2,000!
Sharing her story with reporters from 7NEWS and opting to remain anonymous, she recalls her otherwise 'beautiful' Bali holiday turning sour when she experienced a dreadful run-in with immigration officers.
‘The whole thing was pretty horrible,’ she told reporters.
She explained in a Facebook group for Aussie travellers that her Bali stay lasted 40 days, and she had purchased a 30-day visa before leaving Australia.
Upon reaching her visa’s expiry, she bought another 30-day visa for the remainder of her stay.
However, the real problem came when it was time to leave and return home. Stopped by an immigration officer at the airport, she was informed that she shouldn't have bought a second visa but instead extended her first visa.
The woman was then charged $100 for each of the ten days she had 'overstayed', leaving her slapped with an alarming $2,000 fee.
While describing the encounter, the woman also claimed that a man at immigration began screaming at her and the other travellers she was with, leaving them feeling scared.
‘He said we had disrespected their laws and that if we did not pay in cash, we would be ‘taken away’ by immigration and not allowed to leave Bali until we paid, and that we would continue to accrue another $100 a day each,’ she said.
‘He also said that we might be banned from going to Bali again.’
Thankfully, they received receipts for the cash payment, but the woman admitted that the demand for cash left her feeling uneasy.
‘Be careful, everyone...All in all, a horrible, frightening experience,’ she warned.
Checking in with the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration website would explain the visa laws of the country.
It says that if a traveller wishes to stay in Indonesia longer than their Visitor Visa permits, they must ‘apply for a residence permit extension at the Immigration Office’.
‘If you overstay your visa, you might be asked to pay fines of 1,000,000 IDR per day ($100 AUD) detained, deported, or banned future travel to Indonesia for a specific period,’ it reads.
Meanwhile, the woman told reporters the experience was ‘pretty horrible’.
‘I mean, okay, we were in the wrong, but there is no need to treat people that way. It was really upsetting and frightening,’ she explained.
‘And the whole thing with demanding cash, well, that’s not the way things are done in Australia. So, whilst it may not have been a scam, apparently, it’s “normal” to take cash, and they did give us a receipt, but it felt that way,’ she continued.
The woman added that the government should not have ‘cash only’ situations because, ‘even if that is true, it reeks of a scam’.
In the aftermath of the ordeal, the woman claimed she contacted the embassy and Indonesian immigration because she said ‘there was no logic to the discussion – just a lot of intimidation’.
‘It’s really put me off going back! And we love Bali. We had even been thinking about going there for a year, but I’m not so sure anymore!’ she shared.
So, what can you do to avoid facing a similar experience?
Make sure you research all the visa requirements before you leave for your holiday, and it’s also wise to have extra cash on hand in case unexpected events occur.
The Australian government service Smartraveller also has advice for obtaining an Indonesian visa.
‘You can apply for an E-Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) no later than 48 hours prior to travelling to Indonesia; check the e-VOA requirements from Indonesian Immigration before applying,’ it advised.
This E-VOA and the standard Visa on Arrival (VOA) cost IDR 500,000 (roughly $50 AUD), with the e-VOA also having a small online processing fee.
Considering the potential risks and penalties associated with not following another country’s visa regulations, it pays to be mindful when planning any sort of trip.
Do you have any travel tips you think other members should know? Share your knowledge in the comments below.
Take, for example, this Australian traveller who recently returned from a gorgeous holiday, only to find herself facing a rather exorbitant and unexpected visa mistake – costing her a whopping $2,000!
Sharing her story with reporters from 7NEWS and opting to remain anonymous, she recalls her otherwise 'beautiful' Bali holiday turning sour when she experienced a dreadful run-in with immigration officers.
‘The whole thing was pretty horrible,’ she told reporters.
The woman claimed to have had a ‘frightening experience at the airport’. Credit: Oleksandr Pidvalnyi/Pexels
She explained in a Facebook group for Aussie travellers that her Bali stay lasted 40 days, and she had purchased a 30-day visa before leaving Australia.
Upon reaching her visa’s expiry, she bought another 30-day visa for the remainder of her stay.
However, the real problem came when it was time to leave and return home. Stopped by an immigration officer at the airport, she was informed that she shouldn't have bought a second visa but instead extended her first visa.
The woman was then charged $100 for each of the ten days she had 'overstayed', leaving her slapped with an alarming $2,000 fee.
The woman is now warning other travellers to avoid making the same mistake. Credit: Content Pixie/Pexels
While describing the encounter, the woman also claimed that a man at immigration began screaming at her and the other travellers she was with, leaving them feeling scared.
‘He said we had disrespected their laws and that if we did not pay in cash, we would be ‘taken away’ by immigration and not allowed to leave Bali until we paid, and that we would continue to accrue another $100 a day each,’ she said.
‘He also said that we might be banned from going to Bali again.’
Thankfully, they received receipts for the cash payment, but the woman admitted that the demand for cash left her feeling uneasy.
‘Be careful, everyone...All in all, a horrible, frightening experience,’ she warned.
Checking in with the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate General of Immigration website would explain the visa laws of the country.
It says that if a traveller wishes to stay in Indonesia longer than their Visitor Visa permits, they must ‘apply for a residence permit extension at the Immigration Office’.
‘If you overstay your visa, you might be asked to pay fines of 1,000,000 IDR per day ($100 AUD) detained, deported, or banned future travel to Indonesia for a specific period,’ it reads.
Meanwhile, the woman told reporters the experience was ‘pretty horrible’.
‘I mean, okay, we were in the wrong, but there is no need to treat people that way. It was really upsetting and frightening,’ she explained.
‘And the whole thing with demanding cash, well, that’s not the way things are done in Australia. So, whilst it may not have been a scam, apparently, it’s “normal” to take cash, and they did give us a receipt, but it felt that way,’ she continued.
The woman added that the government should not have ‘cash only’ situations because, ‘even if that is true, it reeks of a scam’.
In the aftermath of the ordeal, the woman claimed she contacted the embassy and Indonesian immigration because she said ‘there was no logic to the discussion – just a lot of intimidation’.
‘It’s really put me off going back! And we love Bali. We had even been thinking about going there for a year, but I’m not so sure anymore!’ she shared.
So, what can you do to avoid facing a similar experience?
Make sure you research all the visa requirements before you leave for your holiday, and it’s also wise to have extra cash on hand in case unexpected events occur.
The Australian government service Smartraveller also has advice for obtaining an Indonesian visa.
‘You can apply for an E-Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) no later than 48 hours prior to travelling to Indonesia; check the e-VOA requirements from Indonesian Immigration before applying,’ it advised.
This E-VOA and the standard Visa on Arrival (VOA) cost IDR 500,000 (roughly $50 AUD), with the e-VOA also having a small online processing fee.
Considering the potential risks and penalties associated with not following another country’s visa regulations, it pays to be mindful when planning any sort of trip.
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.. but we didn't care, we loved Tassie. She had a small car that was 20 years old, on the ship and we shared paying the fuel. It was awesome. Tasmania is beautiful ♥♥♥ 
