Canada issues travel advisory for Indonesia including vacation hot spot Bali

Canada has updated its travel advisory for Indonesia, including Bali, urging Canadians to take extra precautions when travelling.

If you're planning a trip to Indonesia or the popular tourist destination of Bali, it's important to stay on top of the latest travel advice from the government. On Sept. 5, the Government of Canada updated the entry and exit requirements, warning travellers of visa scams.

"There is an increase in visa scams in Indonesia, including in Bali," reads the statement.

The government is advising travellers not to accept unsolicited offers for visa extensions. Doing so could put visitors at risk of overstaying their visa or lead to serious legal consequences, such as fines, deportation, or re-entry bans.

"Never hand over your passport to individuals or agencies claiming to offer visa services," the advisory warns. "Use official government channels to manage or renew visas and ensure your information and documents remain secure."

Canadian citizens travelling to Indonesia must have a visitor visa, which can be obtained in advance or on arrival at select points of entry.

Indonesia strictly enforces its immigration and visa requirements. Foreign travellers have been detained in immigration detention centres for visa violations or overstays, "reads the statement. "Those in violation may be subject to substantial fines and deportation."

According to the Official e-Visa Website for Indonesia, a visitor visa is valid for 90 days and allows visitors to stay in the country for 30 days. To apply for a visa online, you must provide scans of a valid passport and a passport-sized photo, as well as your email address and a valid credit card. The application fee for a visitor visa is IDR 500,000 (C$41.80).

In addition to the risk of visa scams, Canada is warning travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" due to political and social tensions, as well as the threat of terrorism throughout Indonesia.

On Aug. 11, the government also warned travellers of a deadly rabies outbreak in Bali, particularly in Jembrana Regency and the South Kuta and Mengwi Districts of Badung Regency.

Canadians travelling internationally can sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA), a free and confidential service that notifies citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.