DENPASAR, Bali – A short social media video showing long lines outside Bali’s Denpasar Immigration Office has sparked widespread discussion among foreigners living in Bali and travelers extending their visas, with many wondering whether the queues signal changes in Indonesia’s immigration policies.
The seven-second clip, uploaded to Instagram by user @fillorossi.91, has been viewed and shared thousands of times after capturing dozens of people already waiting outside the Class I Immigration Office in Denpasar before the building had even opened.
Captioned “Visa Extension Bali,” the video quickly resonated with many expatriates and long-term visitors who have experienced Bali’s busy immigration services firsthand.
“The queue was already massive, with people lining up long before the doors even opened,” the uploader wrote.
The creator explained that they had intentionally arrived about 10 minutes before opening hours, hoping to secure an early queue number for an Indonesian C1 Visa extension. Instead, they found that many applicants had arrived considerably earlier.
The post rapidly gained traction, attracting thousands of interactions as foreigners exchanged practical advice about extending visas in Bali.
Some commenters discussed the cost of extending a C1 visa, with the uploader saying the process cost roughly Rp1 million for a two-month extension when handled personally. Others replied that they typically paid visa agents around Rp2 million, prompting comparisons between using immigration services directly and hiring intermediaries.
Others questioned why applicants were not completing the process online. The uploader responded that visiting the office in person was simply more convenient because they had time available.
Another frequently asked question centered on why visitors did not arrange visas before arriving in Indonesia. The uploader clarified that this was not a new visa application, but rather an extension to continue enjoying a longer stay in Bali.
Immigration: Holiday Backlog Behind the Crowds
Following speculation online, Bali immigration officials moved quickly to clarify the situation.
Putu Suhendra, Head of Immigration Information Technology at the Denpasar Immigration Office, confirmed that the queues shown in the viral video were genuine but said they reflected a predictable surge following an extended public holiday.
“Queues like this usually occur after long holidays,” he said. “The line in the video formed before service hours began. Today’s operations are running safely and under control.”
His explanation was echoed by Ahmad Apriandi, Head of Immigration Information and Communications, who said demand traditionally spikes at the beginning of the work week after consecutive holidays.
According to him, applications tend to surge on Mondays and Tuesdays following extended weekends, prompting the office to begin serving applicants earlier than usual to ease congestion.
Officials Reject Rumors of Immigration Crackdowns
The viral video also fueled online speculation suggesting the long queues were linked to immigration enforcement operations or recent arrests involving foreign nationals.
Immigration authorities firmly rejected those claims.
“The queues were purely the result of increased demand after the long holiday,” Ahmad said. “We anticipated this by opening services earlier. It has nothing to do with immigration arrests or enforcement operations.”
One of Indonesia’s Busiest Immigration Offices
Denpasar Immigration is among the busiest immigration offices in Indonesia, serving thousands of applications from tourists, digital nomads, expatriates, foreign workers, retirees, and investors living across Bali.
Demand for visa extensions and stay permit services routinely increases after national holidays and long weekends, making early arrivals common during peak periods.
For foreigners planning a visa extension in Bali, officials recommend arriving early during busy weeks or using available online services whenever appropriate to reduce waiting times.
While the viral video highlighted the realities of Bali’s growing international community, immigration authorities stressed that operations remain normal and that the temporary queues reflected seasonal demand rather than any change in immigration policy.
