What’s The Dress Code At The Immigration Office In Bali

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If you need to renew your visa in Bali, you’ll need to pay attention to the dress code at the immigration office. Figuring out regulations and visas is annoying enough, and this complete guide will save you time and effort if you’re not too sure how to approach the subject.

Wondering if this is something you have to worry about? If you want to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days, you’ll have to go to the immigration office in Bali at least once. That means coming prepared and knowing what to expect will save you valuable time during your trip.

So, let’s get started…

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Why you can trust this article about the Bali immigration office dress code

Hi, I’m Victoria, your new best friend when it comes to all things Bali. I’ve lived here for several years now and used to come to Indonesia as a tourist all the time before that. I’ve entered the country on pretty much any visa you can imagine and have spent countless hours at immigration.

I’ve also applied for Indonesian visas in countries like Malaysia, Germany, and Australia and have forgotten about the dress code plenty of times.

I have to go to Bali’s immigration office at least once per month, so you can be sure that this post is up-to-date and accurate. I’ll be the first to know if anything changes, and since I’m going through visa processes constantly, I’m the perfect person to give help you out with this topic.

What’s the dress code at the immigration office in Bali?

Official buildings in Indonesia have a dress code, and the immigration offices in Bali are no exception. Official regulations came into effect in 2016 and have been enforced since then.

Officially, visitors need to cover their shoulders and knees and wear closed shoes when entering the building. This translates to no tank tops, no shorts, no short skirts, no swimwear and no flip-flops. There is a big sign at the entrance of the office letting visitors know all this.

Be aware that this dress code applies to both men and women.

Luckily, the staff get a lot of clueless tourists who are used to wearing beach attire everywhere in Bali. There are rental sarongs available free of charge at the entrance that can be used to cover up your legs. Men and women in shorts will be asked to do this upon entering. The sarongs are then returned and will be put in the laundry when you exit again.

On rare occasions, there might not be any sarongs left when you arrive, and it’s possible that you may have to wait for a short while until a new batch arrives.

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Is the dress code enforced at the immigration office in Bali?

Now you know the dress code at the immigration office in Bali. But is it actually enforced? Yes and no.

Let me preface this by saying that you should always respect the rules and traditions of other cultures, especially as a visitor. If you’re reading this post, it’s likely that you’re going to be heading to immigration in Bali soon and now that you know the dress code, you can come prepared. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to put on long pants, a T-shirt and some proper shoes.

That being said, Bali is a vacation island, and these rules are not as strictly enforced as in other parts of Indonesia. Most of the country is predominantly Muslim, while Bali is mostly Hindu. In the Balinese customs, it’s most important to cover up the knees, while shoulders are not as much of an issue, even in temples.

This means that the rules about closed shoes and tank tops are rarely enforced at the immigration office in Bali. If you turn up in shorts, however, you’ll be given a sarong to cover up your knees. Occasionally, they may ask you to put on a pair of rental Crocs if you’re wearing flip-flops, but slides or sandals are mostly fine.

You’ll most likely see both locals and tourists in flip-flops and sleeveless tops in immigration in Bali, so don’t be confused about why no one is enforcing the dress code.

OUR TIP

If you don’t want to wear long pants all day in Bali’s hot climate, you can consider wearing shorts and bringing a sarong to tie around your waist, which you can then take off again after immigration.

What is the dress code at immigration offices in other parts of Indonesia (Lombok, Jakarta, Yogyakarta)

If you’re renewing your visa in another part of Indonesia, it is likely that the dress code will be more strictly enforced than in Bali. I’ve even been to Indonesian embassies in other countries, and they do not let you enter unless you have long sleeves and pants. To be safe, make sure to wear proper shoes and cover up so you avoid running into issues.

In my experience, only Bali has sarongs available, and other immigration offices aren’t as lenient.

immigration office Bali visa extension waiting area sarong yellow mask

Do I have to go to the immigration office in Bali?

If you are extending your Visa on Arrival in Bali, you’ll have to go to the immigration office at least once, depending on whether you’re working with a visa agent or not.

Keep in mind that visa regulations in Indonesia change frequently, and there are always new rules for specific scenarios such as the retirement visa. For example, it is now possible to renew a B211 (social or business visa) without having to pay immigration a visit.

If you have a visa agent, they will be able to tell you whether you actually need to go or not.

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Why do I need to go to the immigration office?

If you’re renewing your visa yourself without an agent, you’ll have to make several trips to immigration to drop off your passport, fill out forms, and finally get your picture and fingerprints taken.

If you have a visa agent, you’ll only have to go once to take a picture and give them your fingerprints. The actual process only takes a few minutes, and it is rare that you’ll be asked questions or need to do anything else.

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What time should you arrive at immigration in Bali?

The visa offices in Bali are notorious for long wait times. It’s best to arrive as early as possible so you can get in and out quickly. You’ll walk in and be given a number, which then comes up on the screen next to the relevant counter you have to go to.

Usually, immigration opens at 8 AM, and there will already be dozens of people waiting before that. I’ve arrived at about 5 past 8 in the past and had number 60.

Luckily things move fast most of the time, and you’ll likely be in and out in under an hour. But that depends on the number of open counters and what season it is.

In my experience, if you want to be very fast, it’s useful to arrive at 7:50 or so, and the whole process should be only around 20 minutes. Definitely avoid going at mid-day unless you don’t mind waiting for a few hours.

waiting list counters immigration numbers

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How to get to the immigration office in Bali

There are several immigration offices in Bali, but the most popular one is located in Jimbaran and called Ngurah Rai Immigration Office. It is very close to the airport, Nusa Dua, Kuta and Uluwatu and easy to find. Just follow the Jalan Ngurah Rai Bypass south towards Nusa Dua, and you’ll basically drive right past it. You won’t be far from the Bali airport either.

From areas like Seminyak and Canggu, the drive can take around an hour or more depending on traffic, so make sure to factor in plenty of spare time, especially during rush hour.

It’s easy to get a grab or gojek to take you to the immigration office in Bali (just keep the no-gojek zones in Canggu, Padang Bai, Tanah Lot Temple, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Kintamani, Ubud, Uluwatu, Amed, Lovina or the airport in mind), although you can also hire a private driver for the day, rent a car, drive your scooter, or walk if you’re staying very close by. Uber, unfortunately, doesn’t work in Bali.

Do you need a visa agent to extend your visa in Bali?

You do not need a visa agent to extend your Indonesian visa, however, we recommend it. You’ll only pay a little bit more but save yourself several trips to immigration and a lot of paperwork. With an agent, it’s all done for you, and you simply have to go to the visa office once to get your photo taken.

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Bali immigration office dress code FAQ

What do you need to bring to the immigration office in Bali?

You need to bring the QR code provided by your visa agent (if you have one) and your passport if you do not have a visa agent.

What is the dress code for Indonesian immigration at the airport?

There is no dress code at the airport arrival immigration. The visa extension office asks visitors to cover their knees, shoulders and wear closed shoes.

Is there a dress code in Bali?

Bali is a popular vacation island, so visitors can wear whatever they like. Just make sure not to go naked and do not wear swimwear when entering shops or restaurants.

Can I wear flip-flops at immigration in Bali?

The dress code states that flip-flops are prohibited at the immigration office in Bali, but this rule is rarely enforced.

Can I wear short sleeves at immigration in Bali?

Technically, tank tops and short sleeves are not allowed at immigration in Bali, but usually, it is fine as long as you are wearing long pants.

Can I wear shorts at immigration in Bali?

Shorts are not allowed at the immigration office in Bali, and you will be asked to wear a sarong if your knees are exposed. This applies to both men and women.

Can I rent a sarong at the immigration office in Jimbaran?

Yes, there are sarongs available at the entrance free of charge for those who are not following the dress code.

Before you go…

You’re ready for your trip to the immigration office in Bali, and now that you know the dress code, nothing can go wrong. Let’s talk about the more enjoyable things for your Bali trip, like this all-you-can-eat-and-drink rooftop pool club in Kuta, this beautiful beach hike, and the perfect day trip to Uluwatu or Ubud.

If you’re a solo traveller, we highly recommend these group tours of Bali and our guide on how to make friends on the Island of the Gods. Don’t forget to check out our airport pickup guide, as well as this post about why you can’t drink tap water here.

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If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.

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Victoria Heinz

Victoria is the founder of Guide Your Travel and has been a travel writer for ten years. She has a Master of Arts in International Relations and Politics and is a managing partner at a marketing agency in Indonesia, giving her unique insight into local culture and customs. Originally from Germany, Victoria has been living abroad for eight years in countries such as Australia, the UK, Spain, Malaysia and Indonesia. Today, she calls Bali her permanent home and helps over 200,000 people plan their trips around the world every month.

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Hi! I’m Victoria, a travel blogger from Germany and the author of Guide your Travel. I write about my favourite destinations in Europe, South East Asia and digital nomad life in Bali.

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Hi, I'm Victoria

Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.

I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.

I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.

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