BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – A long queue of applicants at the Denpasar Immigration Office has gone viral on social media after an Instagram user shared a short video showing dozens of people lining up before the office officially opened. Immigration authorities have since clarified that the crowd was caused by a surge in applications following a long holiday and was unrelated to any enforcement operation.

The seven-second video, uploaded on June 30, 2026, by Instagram user @fillorossi.91, was captioned “Visa Extension Bali” with the title, “POV: You arrive at Immigration before opening hours to extend your visa.”

In the video caption, the uploader explained that they arrived approximately 10 minutes before business hours, expecting to be among the first applicants. Instead, they found a long line of people who had already been waiting outside the office.

“The queue was already massive, with people lining up long before the doors even opened,” the user wrote.

The post also advised foreigners planning to extend their Indonesian C1 Visa to arrive much earlier to avoid lengthy waiting times.

The video quickly gained widespread attention, attracting 1,859 likes, more than 350 comments, and 2,792 shares, reflecting growing public interest in immigration services in Bali, one of Indonesia’s busiest destinations for foreign visitors and expatriates.

The comment section soon turned into a discussion forum about immigration procedures and visa extension costs.

One user asked how much it cost to extend a C1 Visa. The uploader replied that the process cost approximately Rp1 million for a two-month extension. Another commenter expressed surprise, saying they usually paid around Rp2 million through an immigration agent, adding a sad emoji to indicate the significant price difference.

Several users also questioned why the applicant chose to visit the immigration office instead of completing the process online, noting that Indonesia has introduced digital immigration services to simplify applications.

Responding to the comments, the uploader explained that visiting the office was a personal choice, particularly for individuals with flexible schedules who preferred handling the process directly.

Another commenter suggested that visa matters should be processed in the applicant’s home country. The uploader clarified that the visit was not for a new visa application, but rather for an extension of an existing stay permit, explaining that they wished to continue their stay because they were enjoying their holiday in Bali.

The viral post generated numerous additional comments, with many foreign residents and travelers sharing similar experiences at immigration offices, while others exchanged practical advice about visa extensions and appointment scheduling.

Responding to media inquiries, Putu Suhendra, Head of the Immigration Information Technology Section at the Denpasar Immigration Office, confirmed that queues had indeed formed outside the office.

However, he emphasized that the situation was temporary and commonly occurs after extended public holidays.

“Queues like this usually happen after a long holiday. The line shown in the video formed before service hours began. As of this morning, the situation is safe and under control,” Putu said in a text message.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Apriandi, Head of the Immigration Information and Communication Subsection, explained that the increase in applicants typically occurs after consecutive holidays.

According to him, application numbers generally spike on Mondays and Tuesdays following the Friday-Saturday-Sunday holiday period. To accommodate the higher demand, the Denpasar Immigration Office has anticipated the influx by opening its service counters earlier than usual.

Ahmad also dismissed speculation circulating on social media that the long queue was linked to immigration enforcement or arrests involving foreign nationals.

“There is absolutely no connection between the queue shown in the viral video and any immigration arrest or enforcement activity. The queue was purely the result of a post-holiday increase in applications, and we had already anticipated it by opening services earlier,” he stressed.

The Denpasar Immigration Office is among Indonesia’s busiest immigration service centers due to Bali’s large population of international tourists, expatriates, digital nomads, foreign investors, and long-term visitors. As a result, applications for visa extensions and stay permits often increase significantly following weekends and public holidays.

Immigration authorities have encouraged applicants to plan their visits carefully, arrive early during peak periods, and make use of available digital services whenever possible to ensure a smoother and more efficient application process.