Heading to Bali - get Visa ahead of time, or at DPS?
 

Hi,
Two of us (both US citizens) are heading to Bali in 2 months. Looking at the Visa requirements, we could apply now by sending an application (and $35, passport pics, etc) to their NY embassy, or get one upon arrival in DPS for $25 (though potentially wait in line).
If you've recently gone to Bali/Indonesia, what have you done? If you got your Visa on arrival, did you have to wait long? We called the embassy, and they recommended applying ahead of time, but frankly, I don't see the point, especially when it ends up costing an additional $40 or so ($10 more per Visa, plus passport photos, plus FedEx both ways). Thanks for your input!

Get the visa in Bali
 

I was in Bali in July. It was extremely easy to get the visa at the airport. I wouldn't consider taking the time and spending the additional money to do it in advance.

Enjoy Bali - it is a fabulous place.

You get a "short visit" stamp in your passport upon arrival and it is quite painless and quick. I don't recall doing anything special at all and it certainly did not take us much time to get out of the airport - so there wasn't any significant delay.

Good info. All I need is a one-time, short-visit Visa anyhow. Funny that the Indonesian Embassy in NY recommends that you get it w/them ahead of time, but then again, what else did I expect them to say???
I'll save my $40 for 8 drinks on CO on the way over there (23-24 hours in a plane, with not a single free drink in coach... ouch...)

This has changed since Feb of this year, but still, no need to get it in advance. We had no line at all. I didn't know you could get it in advance, and it certainly wouldn't be worth it to me to pay the extra money.
Here are the details on the two types of visas (one if you're staying for only three days; the other for up to 30 days).
http://www.balivision.com/visa/non.asp

I did the visa on arrival in April without any problem just a short 10 minute line. I would have exact cost ($10 for three days $25 for thirty days) to make it quicker.

I'm going back in March and will do the same even though I could go to the local embassy. Its just that easy.

As stated by several posters, definitely get the visa upon arrival. Try really hard to be seated at the forward-most area of your arriving aircraft, and get off quickly. If you're lucky and there aren't several other flites arriving at the same time, being at the head of the line will save you a lot of waiting time. Be sure to have exact change in new or almost-new USD. Enjoy Bali!

I just passed through DPS airport and the visa on arrival section was well staffed. There should be no need to dash to the counters, you should be taken care of in no time. I think in a couple of months the Indonesians will learn from the Egyptians and make things even faster..... in CAI, buying your stamps takes less than 30 seconds... :D ^

Agreed. We were far from the first people off the plane (sat upstairs on 744) and probably half the plane was off before us. Still no lines (two people work each booth - one takes your money and gives change, the other sticks the visa in your passport - it's very fast). Even if there is a line, I can't imagine you'd wait more than a few minutes. It's really not a big deal.

Can anyone give an update to this information? I'll be flying to DPS (connecting from BKK) in September, and am wondering if the Visa-on-Arrival process is still efficient at DPS or if I should do it in advance.

I'll be flying in C if that makes any difference (not sure if there are any premium pax options). Cheers!

Yes, normally very quick, but once had a half an hour line. If desired you can arrange for expedited visa service. High end resorts will normally do this automatically as part of the pick up service.

It varies depending on how man planes that have landed just before you, but usually it isn't too bad.

It is good idea to have the 25$ for the visa fee in cash, as you can't pay with credit card. There is a place where you can withdraw money, but might have to wait in line for that.

Stefan

Yes, still extremely efficient.

Actually, you can pay by credit card if you are willing to pay an additional fee (something like 5%).

We just did this on 3/21 arriving on an evening flight (around 9:30 or so) from Changi Airport (Singapore). The entire process took less than 5 minutes, including waiting in line. The arrival area is quite small and everything is clearly labeled in English.

FYI, they want you to pay with USD. It was $25 per person. I am sure you can pay by IDR or credit card, though a clerk was giving the woman next to us a very hard time over not having USD and it seemed like they were going to have her leave the line to go to an ATM. After you get the visa and pay, you can go get your bags, go through customs, etc. Pretty quick overall.

We had pickup from FS Bali at Sayan and they did not assist with this - met us curbside. after we had bags, etc.

Don't recall seeing an ATM before immigration. But since the visa people take Euros, Dollars, Pounds, etc. this is never a problem.

By September the new international terminal should be operational.