What is a bridging Visa?

Bridging Visa in Indonesia is a temporary visa that gives you extra time to stay legally in the country when your current visa is about to expire and you're in the middle of applying for another visa. It’s mainly used to avoid overstaying while you're switching to a new visa or waiting for an extension. Think of it as a buffer that keeps everything legal while your next steps are being sorted out.

What’s a Bridging Visa?

So, let’s say your current visa is about to run out but your new visa isn’t ready yet. You’re still waiting for your KITAS, social visa, or whatever’s next. That’s where the Bridging Visa comes in — it gives you some extra time to stay in Indonesia legally while you wait.

It’s like a little safety net so you don’t end up overstaying. No need to stress or book a last-minute flight out just to avoid fines.

When Do You Need It?

Here are a few common situations where a Bridging Visa can save the day:

• You’re switching from a tourist visa to a social visa and your tourist visa is about to expire
• You’ve applied for a KITAS but it’s still being processed
• You want to stay in Bali (or anywhere in Indo) while your agent sorts out your new visa

Basically, it’s for anyone who's in between visas and doesn’t want to accidentally become illegal in the meantime.

How Long Does It Last?

Usually, a Bridging Visa gives you around 30 days of extra stay time. That’s normally enough to cover the gap while your new visa is getting approved.

Let’s say your social visa is taking longer than expected. The Bridging Visa keeps you covered so you’re not rushing out of the country or paying overstay fees.

Can You Work on It?

Short answer: no. A Bridging Visa doesn’t give you the right to work. It’s just for staying legal during the visa changeover. So if you’re applying for a working KITAS, you’ll need to wait until that one’s officially granted before doing any paid work.

How Do You Get One?

You usually won’t apply for it directly. If you’re using a visa agent (which we recommend), they’ll handle it for you as part of your next visa application. Just make sure to ask if the bridging period is included so there are no surprises.

It’s kind of like an “add-on” to your visa process, not something you usually go and apply for by itself.

Why It’s Super Useful

Overstaying your visa in Indonesia isn’t fun. There are daily fines, possible bans, and a lot of stress. A Bridging Visa helps you avoid all that. You get to stay in paradise legally while everything is being sorted behind the scenes.

Think of it like hitting the pause button until your new visa is ready to go.

Real Talk: Here’s an Example

Let’s say Jess is in Bali on a tourist visa. She decides she wants to stay longer and applies for a social visa. But her tourist visa is ending next week and her new visa is still processing. Instead of panicking, we can get her a Bridging Visa. Now she’s got an extra 30 days to chill, surf, or work remotely (if she’s allowed under the new visa) — all without overstaying.

Not Sure What to Do?

If you’re in that “uh-oh” moment where your visa is running out and you’re waiting for a new one, reach out to us. Seriously, don’t try to wing it. We can tell you if a Bridging Visa makes sense for your situation and help you avoid any visa drama.