Southeast Asia's largest economy tightens visa extension rules

By Hoang Phong June 12, 2025 | 06:41 pm PT

Passengers arrive at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali, Indonesia, Sept. 2, 2022. Photo by Reuters

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, now requires all foreigners to visit an immigration office in person to extend their stay permits, instead of registering online as previously.

Starting from May 29, foreign nationals in Indonesia must undergo a photo capture and interview process at an immigration office when applying for a stay permit extension, The Bali Sun reported.

This new procedure also applies to foreigners holding a visa on arrival.

Previously, foreigners only registered their stay permit application and uploaded the necessary documents online through the website evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, said this policy aims to mitigate potential misuse of stay permits, and enhance oversight of sponsors for foreign nationals, Tempo English site reported.

In the first four months of this year, Indonesia welcomed 4.33 million foreign tourist arrivals, up 5.6% compared to the same period in 2024.