For years, “visa runs” were the unofficial solution for staying in Bali long-term.
Stay 60 days.
Fly to Singapore.
Come back.
Repeat.
It used to be simple.
In 2026, it’s no longer that predictable.
If you’re planning to stay in Bali beyond a short holiday, you need to understand how visa runs actually work today — and the risks involved.
What Is a Visa Run?
A visa run means:
Leaving Indonesia before your visa expires
Entering another country (often Singapore or Kuala Lumpur)
Returning to Bali on a new visa
Most commonly, people use:
• Visa on Arrival (VOA) – 30 days
• Extended VOA – up to 60 days total
Once it expires, they exit and re-enter.
That’s a visa run.
Is It Legal?
Yes — technically.
You are allowed to exit and re-enter Indonesia.
But here’s the important part:
Indonesia does not guarantee unlimited re-entry.
Immigration officers have discretion.
They can deny entry if they believe you are misusing a tourist visa for residency.
How It Used to Work
Before stricter monitoring:
• People stayed for years
• Ran every 60 days
• No questions asked
Immigration systems were less digital.
Entry history was not as closely tracked.
That has changed.
How It Works in 2026
Now:
• Entry and exit records are fully digital
• Immigration sees your travel history immediately
• Repeated long stays are visible
If you’ve done:
60 days
Exit
60 days
Exit
60 days
Exit
You may be questioned.
Common questions:
• Why are you staying so long?
• What are you doing in Bali?
• Where do you work?
• How do you support yourself?
Your answers matter.
When Do Visa Runs Become Risky?
Red flags include:
• Spending more than 180 days per year in Indonesia
• Obvious digital nomad lifestyle
• Social media advertising services locally
• Overstays in your history
• Previous immigration warnings
The more frequently you repeat visa runs, the higher the risk of denial.
Can You Be Denied Entry?
Yes.
If immigration refuses entry:
• You may be placed on the next flight out
• You may lose your return ticket
• Your visa fee is not refunded
• Your passport can receive a note
In some cases, you may be informally “flagged” for future attempts.
What About Blacklisting?
Visa runs alone usually don’t cause blacklisting.
But combined with:
• Overstays
• Illegal work
• Visa fraud
You can be blacklisted.
Blacklisting means you cannot enter Indonesia for months or years.
Where Do People Do Visa Runs?
Most common destinations:
• Singapore
• Kuala Lumpur
• Bangkok
They are close, cheap, and efficient.
But immigration officers know exactly why you’re flying there for 24–48 hours.
It’s not a secret.
The 183-Day Tax Question
Here’s something rarely explained:
If you spend more than 183 days in Indonesia within a 12-month period, you can become a tax resident.
Even if you’re on tourist visas.
This has nothing to do with immigration — it’s tax law.
Few digital nomads consider this properly.
Is It Still Worth Doing Visa Runs?
Short-term? Yes.
If you’re:
• Staying 3–4 months
• Testing Bali
• Between visas
It’s manageable.
Long-term strategy? Risky.
Building a life based on repeated tourist entries is unstable.
Better Alternatives in 2026
If you want stability:
• Investor KITAS
• Remote worker KITAS (when available)
• PT PMA structure
• Social-cultural visa (limited but sometimes useful)
Yes, they cost more.
But they remove uncertainty.
The Honest Reality
Bali still tolerates visa runs.
But tolerance is not the same as legal protection.
If you:
• Keep a low profile
• Avoid overstays
• Don’t work locally
• Don’t abuse the system
You’ll likely be fine for short periods.
If you try to live permanently on tourist visas — eventually you may face issues.
Final Thought
Visa runs are a temporary tool.
They are not a long-term residency plan.
If Bali is just a chapter in your life, they work.
If Bali is your future — build properly.
