Extend Visa in Lombok – Complete VOA Extension Guide
Lombok, Indonesia is a magnificent travel destination that enchants visitors with its beaches, lively culture, and peaceful landscapes. If you are planning to visit Lombok on a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and wish to stay for more than 30 days, you are in luck.
Indonesia permits travelers to extend their VOA for an additional 30 days, and this process is relatively easy to follow in Lombok. This guide will take you through each step to ensure that your extended stay in this paradise is both legal and stress-free.
Not all countries have this agreement for Visa with Indonesia, and if you didn’t pay for your Visa on Arrival in Indonesia you can’t extend it! In this guide, we describe the process for those who paid for their VOA and want to extend it for 30 days more.
Can I Extend My Visa on Arrival in Indonesia?
Yes, you can. Indonesia’s VOA, initially valid for 30 days, is extendable for another 30 days. To avoid any legal complications or fines associated with overstaying, it’s essential to begin this process well before your initial visa expires.
You can not extend your visa before its 14 days left for expiration day according to indonesiavisaonline. It means that between day 14-21 in Indonesia you can apply to extend your visa.
Overstaying a visa in Indonesia can result in fines and legal issues. It’s crucial to extend your visa on time or leave the country before it expires. You might also not ever be able to return!! So don’t do it.
Staying Longer than 30 Days in Indonesia
Extending your VOA is the key for those wishing to enjoy Indonesia’s beauty a little longer. This extension process must be done within the country before your visa expires and cannot be done once you overstay.
Mataram Immigration Office
People are coming from Bali to extend their Visa here because it’s a good immigration office. Even though it’s still a time-consuming task, it’s much worse at other immigration offices in my experience.
The Mataram Immigration Office in Lombok is where you’ll process your VOA extension. Located in the capital of Lombok, the office handles all formalities related to immigration and visas. The scooter parking is on the road on the right side of the main entrance. The parking fee for a scooter is IDR 10,000.
Address: Jl. Udayana No.2, Mataram, Lombok
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed on Indonesian public holidays). Lunch break 12:00 – 13:30.
Make sure you dress properly. I used slippers and a T-shirt, but that was no problem. The picture shows how you should dress. It’s not just about being allowed to enter, it’s also about showing respect.
Step-by-Step Guide for the VOA Extension Process
Preparing Your Documents
Gather the following documents for your VOA extension:
- Original passport with at least two blank pages.
- Photocopy of the passport’s main page and the page with your current VOA stamp.
- Departure ticket from Indonesia within the extended visa period.
- Completed extension form (available at the immigration office).
Submitting Your Application
Visit the Mataram Immigration Office to submit your documents. It’s advisable to arrive early to avoid long queues. Submit your documents at the designated counter and wait for your token number to be called for document verification.
Just ask for the paper on the counter and they will tell you what you must complete. I tried to say I would be taking a boat to East Timor and that I could show them the ticket. That was not okay, and a flight ticket was the only accepted proof of onward travel. I don’t know if I was just unlucky, but it seemed strange to me. I bought a fake flight ticket from GetOnwardTicket and then it was okay.
After delivering the Application I had to wait for around 20 minutes. Then they needed a printed copy of my Passport and Visa which I didn’t have. There is a copy shop just 5 minutes walk away, just around the building. It’s called MAN FOTO COPY & PRINT, he knew exactly what I needed. It took just a few minutes and cost IDR 10,000 to get the papers printed.
After delivering this at the immigration office I had to wait for 1 hour and 30 minutes because it was lunch break! Try to get there early in the morning! Lunch break 12:00 – 13:30.
After the Lunch Break, they gave me a piece of paper that showed what I had to pay. They don’t accept cash so you have to bring the piece of paper to the bank on the opposite side of the road (PT Bank NTB Syariah). The cost for the Visa extensions is IDR 500,000. Then bring the receipt back to the immigration office.
Then I waited for about 10 minutes before it was time to take pictures and fingerprints! After that, they told me it would be ready in three days. They will give you an exact date, and you drop by anytime to pick it up that day. It took me just a few minutes to pick it up when it was ready.
On my way back the first day after delivering the passport they called me. They just asked if it was me, so I think they just did it to confirm the phone number I gave was correct.
Do You Need an Agent for VOA Extension?
Outside the Immigration office, agents are selling their service. For budget travelers, the answer to if you need an agent is Absolutely No! I saw one guy using an agent, the only thing he did for him was to walk across the street to deliver cash to the bank. So you don’t even save time, you can walk 500 meters just as fast!
If time is important, then an agent can save you some time. They can also deliver a passport for you. I know a lot of people have had to make three visits, but for me, I only needed two visits and it seemed like everybody else also got their photo and fingerprints taken on the same day as giving the application.
There are two main problems with agents. The first one is that it costs money, but that’s not the big problem. The real problem is who you can trust, your passport is worth money and will give you lots of problems if something happens to it. So if you use a Visa agent, make sure they have good reviews and are serious.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Extension Process
- Start the extension process at least 7 days before your current visa expires.
- Dress respectfully when visiting the immigration office.
- Be patient with the process and prepare for possible delays.
Is the process different for other types of visas?
Yes, different types of visas have different extension processes and requirements. This guide specifically covers the VOA extension.
This Is My Personal Experience.
Extending your VOA in Lombok is a great way to prolong your stay in this beautiful part of Indonesia. By following the correct procedures and preparing in advance, you can enjoy an additional month of exploration and relaxation without legal worries.
Please note that this is Indonesia and things will change. This is my personal experience, which was very good. But for you, it might be different. Please write to us if your experience is different!
