Bali Immigration Grants Overstay Relief for Tourists Affected by Middle East Flight Cancellations

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has begun affecting international travel flows through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, prompting the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office to tighten monitoring while introducing anticipatory measures for foreign nationals at risk of overstaying.

Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Bugie Kurniawan, confirmed that global developments are being closely monitored following multiple international flight cancellations on routes that pass through Middle Eastern airspace.

The disruption has left some travelers unable to depart Indonesia as scheduled, increasing the risk of unintentional overstay.

Immigration Procedures Under Force Majeure Conditions

In response, Immigration authorities are granting flexibility to foreign nationals whose stay permits have expired or are about to expire due to flight delays or cancellations linked to the conflict.

Authorities are treating these cases as force majeure, recognizing that affected travelers are unable to leave Indonesia because airports in their destination countries are closed or inaccessible.

Steps Affected Foreign Nationals Must Take

However, foreign nationals must report their situation to Immigration to avoid being recorded as overstaying. Affected travelers are required to visit the nearest Immigration Office or the Immigration Service Post at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and present official documentation from their airline confirming the flight delay or cancellation.

Immigration officials emphasized that each case will be handled professionally and proportionally in accordance with prevailing regulations, while upholding legal certainty.

Additional Personnel Deployed at Ngurah Rai Airport

Additional personnel have also been deployed at the airport to anticipate increased passenger volume and ensure smooth immigration processing amid the ongoing situation.

Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) Policy and Requirements

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kantor Imigrasi Denpasar (@imigrasidenpasar)

In line with the current situation, Indonesian Immigration has introduced a specific policy for foreign nationals affected by flight cancellations due to the closure of Middle Eastern airspace.

Eligible travelers can apply for an Emergency Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa / ITKT), which is granted under force majeure conditions.

To apply for this permit, foreign nationals must present:

• Original passport
• Proof of cancelled flight ticket
• Official letter from the airline confirming the airspace closure affecting the travel route
• Submission of the application in person at the Immigration Office in accordance with the applicant’s place of residence

For those residing within the jurisdiction of the Denpasar Immigration Office, this includes Denpasar City, Badung Regency (Abiansemal, Mengwi, and Petang), Gianyar Regency, and Bangli Regency.

Affected individuals in these areas are advised to report to the Immigration Office immediately to process their Emergency Stay Permit.

Under this policy, Immigration may grant an Emergency Stay Permit with a maximum validity of up to 30 days, which can be extended if necessary in accordance with applicable regulations.

Importantly, foreigners who experience overstay due to these conditions will not be subject to overstay fines, with the fee set at Rp 0 as long as they comply with the reporting and application requirements.