Lost Passport in Bali: Emergency Travel Document and Exit Clearance Guide

Losing your passport while vacationing in Bali can disrupt your trip, but the next steps are manageable. Report the loss, contact your own embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document, and ask Indonesian immigration at your planned departure point what exit clearance is required. The exact document name, office, and timing can depend on your nationality, immigration status, and departure route.

TL;DR: Report the loss to Indonesian police, obtain an emergency travel document from your own embassy or consulate, and confirm departure clearance with Indonesian immigration before going to the airport. Do not assume another nationality's procedure applies to you. If your permitted stay expires while you wait, Indonesian immigration states that an overstay of less than 60 days carries a charge of Rp 1,000,000 per day; ask immigration how it applies to your case.

Step-by-Step Recovery Process

1. File a Local Police Report

For a lost passport, current UK government guidance on reporting incidents in Indonesia directs travelers to a local sub-district police station (POLSEK). A district police station (POLRES) can also accept lost-item reports if no POLSEK is available nearby.

Bring any copy or image of the lost passport, other photo identification, evidence you have, and the date, time, location, and account of the loss. Ask what report and official receipt have been issued, confirm that the details are correct, and keep the case number and any STTLP you receive. Your embassy and immigration may request additional documents.

2. Obtain an Emergency Travel Document

Contact the embassy or consulate responsible for your nationality in Indonesia. Its responsible office and collection location depend on your country and may not be in Bali.

• Consulate/Embassy Role: They will verify your identity and tell you whether they can issue an emergency passport, Emergency Travel Document (ETD), Document of Identity (DOI), or another travel document for your planned departure.
• Requirements: These vary by nationality. Follow the document list and appointment instructions issued by your own embassy or consulate.

3. Confirm the Required Exit Clearance

Receiving an emergency travel document does not by itself complete Indonesian departure formalities. Contact immigration before departure and follow the procedure they give you. Some travelers may need an Exit Permit Only (EPO) or another immigration clearance, while the responsible office may differ by case.

Keep your emergency travel document, police report, embassy letter if issued, outbound ticket, and any copy of your original visa or e-VOA available. Immigration will tell you which originals or copies are required and where to present them. For example, Singapore's embassy currently directs Singapore passport holders to the immigration office at their departure airport during office hours and advises arriving at least five hours before the flight; that instruction should not be generalized to other nationalities.

Overstay Fees and Penalties

If your permitted stay expires while you are waiting for your emergency document or exit clearance, you will accumulate overstay penalties.

• Indonesian immigration states that an overstay of less than 60 days carries a charge of Rp 1,000,000 per day. Failure to pay that charge results in deportation and an entry ban. An overstay of more than 60 days is subject directly to deportation and an entry ban.
• The cited law and immigration guidance use the exact thresholds “less than 60 days” and “more than 60 days.” If your case reaches the 60-day boundary, obtain instructions directly from immigration rather than assuming which treatment applies.
• Ask immigration where and how any assessed fine must be paid; do not rely on an unofficial intermediary.
• Notify the relevant immigration office promptly and ask how the passport loss affects your stay record and departure procedure.

References

• Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - Loss of Singapore Passport in Indonesia: https://jakarta.mfa.gov.sg/consular-services/loss-of-singapore-passport/
• UK Government - Reporting a lost or stolen passport to Indonesian police: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/indonesia-reporting-a-crime-or-police-misconduct
• Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration - Overstay penalties: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/berita/2023/03/24/apa-sanksi-keimigrasian-bagi-wna-yang-melanggar-ketertiban-ini-jawabannya
• Indonesian Immigration Law, Article 78: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/uu_imigrasi/bab-7-tindakan-administratif-keimigrasian
• Indonesian Immigration EPO FAQ: https://cilacap.imigrasi.go.id/faq-4/epo
• Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus TPI Ngurah Rai: https://ngurahrai.imigrasi.go.id/
• Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I TPI Denpasar: https://denpasar.imigrasi.go.id/
• Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/