Visa Run 101: How We Extended Our Bali Stay with a Quick Trip to Singapore
Long-term travel often comes with little surprises—like navigating visa rules. If you’ve never heard of a visa run or wondered how it works, let me walk you through it. Recently, we took a quick trip from Bali to Singapore for our own visa run, and here’s what it’s all about!
What is a Visa Run?
A visa run is when you briefly leave a country to renew or reset your tourist visa, allowing you to stay longer. Many countries, including Indonesia, have time limits on how long you can stay on a tourist visa. For Bali, you can get a 30-day visa on arrival, which can be extended for another 30 days. After that, you need to exit the country to avoid overstaying—and that’s where the visa run comes in! (It is possible to obtain a longer visa in Bali, but we didn’t apply far enough in advance. There is also more paperwork and cost involved in a longer-term visa, so this was an easy and fun option for us!)
Why Do a Visa Run?
If you’re like us, traveling full-time and loving your time in Bali, you don’t want to cut your adventure short. Instead of heading back home, a visa run is a simple solution to extend your stay. You briefly leave the country, spend some time in a neighboring destination, and return with a fresh visa.
In our case, our 60-day visa in Bali was about to expire, so we decided to take a quick escape to Singapore—a perfect choice for its close proximity and vibrant city vibe!
Our Bali to Singapore Visa Run Experience
Doing a visa run doesn’t have to be a chore! We saw it as a chance to explore another fantastic destination. Singapore is only a short flight from Bali, making it an ideal visa run destination. Not only did it solve our visa problem, but it also gave us a mini vacation to one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cities.
As soon as we touched down in Singapore, we hit the ground running—literally. We explored the futuristic Gardens by the Bay, indulged in the amazing street food at hawker centers, and even took some time to relax in the lush Singapore Botanic Gardens. The city is clean, modern, and full of unique experiences (pro tip: don’t miss Marina Bay Sands for an epic view of the skyline!).
After spending a couple of days soaking up the Singaporean sights, it was time to head back to Bali, refreshed and ready for more island adventures. The visa run was a breeze, and the best part? We got to spend a little more time in one of the coolest cities in Asia!
Visa Run Tips for Travelers
If you’re planning a visa run, here are a few tips to make the process smooth and enjoyable:
- Know the Visa Rules: Research the visa regulations of both your current country and your visa run destination. In Indonesia, you can re-enter on a new 30-day e-visa on arrival, but make sure the timing aligns with your plans. (If you’re traveling to Bali, HERE is a link to everything you need to know about visiting.)
- Choose a Convenient Destination: Pick a nearby country that’s easy to reach. Singapore is just a quick flight from Bali, but you could also consider Malaysia or Thailand, depending on your budget and interests. Use our favorite resource Google Flights to find the cheapest flight.
- Travel Light: Since this is usually a short trip, pack only the essentials. We took carry-on bags, which made it hassle-free at the airport.
- Enjoy the Journey: A visa run is a perfect excuse to explore a new place. Treat it like a mini vacation! Whether it’s Singapore’s famous shopping streets or Malaysia’s street food markets, make the most of your trip.
- Keep Your Documents Organized: Ensure your passport, visa, return tickets, and proof of onward travel are easily accessible. It’s always better to be over-prepared when going through customs.
Extend Your Stay: Is a Visa Run Right for You?
Visa runs are a smart way to extend your stay without too much hassle, especially if you’re like us and enjoying long-term travel. Not only do you solve the visa dilemma, but you also get to sneak in a short adventure to a new country. For us, the Bali to Singapore trip was the perfect way to refresh our visas—and our spirits!
If you’re considering staying longer in Bali, I highly recommend planning a visa run. It’s easy, affordable, and you get a mini escape to boot.
Have you done a visa run before? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out some of our other travel tips here on the blog!
