New Visa Rules For Tourists Wanting To Volunteer In Indonesia
If you’re planning a trip to Bali and Lombok, and hoping to do some volunteer work while you’re there, there’s some important new information you need to know.
In Indonesia, you can’t just volunteer on a regular tourist visa. You need a special type of visa called the C6 Volunteer Visa, and skipping this step could actually get you into serious trouble, even if you have good intentions.
Immigration officials in Indonesia have recently reminded visitors that only people with the correct volunteer visa are allowed to help out with local charities or non-profit work.
This is especially important in Indonesia, where lots of amazing organizations (called Yayasan in Indonesian) rely on volunteers to keep their programs running and support the community.
Here’s the catch: If you come in on a Visa on Arrival or other tourist/business visas (like B1, C1, or D1), you’re not allowed to take part in any formal volunteering. These visas are meant for things like tourism, visiting friends and family, business meetings, or getting medical treatment.
Indonesia takes these rules seriously, especially since more and more foreigners have been caught using the wrong visa. In fact, immigration cases jumped from 1,610 in early 2024 to 2,201 in the same period in 2025… that’s nearly a 37% increase.
So, if you’re planning to volunteer, you need to:
✅ Be working with a legally registered charity or organization.
✅ Get the C6 Volunteer Visa before you arrive.
This visa lets you stay in Indonesia for 60 days, and you can extend it twice, giving you up to 180 days total.
To apply, you’ll need:
✅ A passport valid for at least 6 months.
✅ A recent color photo.
✅ Your bank statement (last 3 months).
Also, there’s a new system for extending social visas like the C6. Once we renew your extension for you, we will organise a time for you to visit a local immigration office in person to submit documents and get your photo and fingerprints taken.
Call Discover Lombok Property today for assistance
👉 If you want help with the process, Discover Lombok Property is here to make everything easy for you. Whether you’re applying for the C6 Volunteer Visa, need help with extensions, or want someone to guide you through the new hybrid system, we’ve got you covered.
Our team can assist with preparing your documents, getting sponsorship letters, and booking your visit to the Immigration Office for fingerprinting and final approval.
We’ll walk you through every step, so you can focus on volunteering and enjoying your time in Indonesia, without the visa stress.
