The Perth-based Indonesia Institute has confirmed a surge in online visa scams targeting Bali-bound travellers, warning that fraudulent websites are overcharging for official documents and posing as legitimate government portals.
Fake Sites Charging Exorbitant Fees
Founder Ross Taylor stated that numerous websites are designed to mimic the official Indonesian Government site. These scams charge inflated fees for the visa-on-arrival, which should cost no more than $50, and up to $80 for the customs declaration and arrival form, which should be free of charge. Taylor emphasized that travellers must exercise caution when completing both forms before departure.
Official Government Portal
The only official website for visa-on-arrival and customs declarations is allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. Travellers are urged to use this site or refer to the Australian Government's Smart Traveller website (smartraveller.gov.au) for the correct link to the Indonesian Government portal.
Impact on Travellers
These scams not only cost victims money but also risk their personal data being compromised. The Indonesia Institute advises all travellers to double-check URLs and avoid third-party sites. The warning comes as Bali remains a top destination for Australian tourists, with thousands of visitors processed daily.
