Travel Essentials

How to apply for a Criminal Background Check – DBS or equivalent

To participate in a Think Pacific  program, all participants are required to provide us with a criminal background check before starting a Think Pacific program. The background check requirement is a key part of Think Pacific’s Responsible Volunteer Travel Policy and Child Protection Policy.

A background check is important to determine whether any serious criminal offence has been recorded against your name. The check must have been issued within 12-months of your program start date and is required to be presented in English. If your background check cannot be issued in English, the original must be accompanied by an English translation complete by a professional translation service or notary public.

Below is some guidance on criminal background check providers for a number of nationalities. Please be aware that each provider will have different requirements for what is to be supplied as part of the background check, prices and anticipated turnaround times.

While Think Pacific has tried to make sure that each provider will provide you with a quality service, we do not take responsibility for the quality or completeness of the report provided and this information is given in good faith.

For nationalities not listed below, please contact your local police station for advice or contact your Think Pacific Program Coordinator.

• UK – www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record (Basic DBS level is required)
• USA – www.sentrylink.com (The “National Criminal Background Check” is required by Think Pacific)
• Canada – www.backcheck.net/criminalrecordchecks.htm
• Australia – https://www.intercheck.com.au/national-police-check/
• New Zealand – www.justice.govt.nz/criminal-records
• France – www.casier-judiciaire.justice.gouv.fr
• China – Your application must be done in person. Volunteers should apply for a Certificate of No Criminal Record at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) in the district of your residence shown on your Household Register (hukou), and then make an application to the notary office for a certificate based on the PSB document. Please note, a professional English translation will be required.

Received Your background Check Already?

Once you have completed your Criminal Background Check, please complete this online form and upload the certificate.

Got a question about back ground checks? Please email info@thinkpacific.com

What vaccinations will I need to travel to Indonesia?

Specific vaccination requirements for travellers to Bali, Indonesia, can change over time and can depend on various factors, including your country of origin, the length of your stay, and your recent travel history. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or check the latest recommendations from trusted sources, such as your country’s health department or the World Health Organization (WHO), before travelling to Bali.

Recommended Vaccinations..

• Recommended vaccines for Bali are: Hepatitis A and Typhoid

Please see the following Travel Health link from the Travel Health Pro for further information

• Please book to see a doctor or visit your local health centre to book your vaccines.
• In the UK they can also be arranged at Boots or Superdrug.
• We advise you to leave plenty of time for arranging vaccines, ideally 8-10 weeks before departure.

B1 Standard Tourist Visa – Formerly Visa on Arrival (VoA)

To enter Bali, all participants will be required to obtain a visa – the majority of participants and staff will be eligible to apply online for a B1 Standard Tourist Visa (also known as a ‘Visa on Arrival’). Please check what Visa type you are eligible to apply for here and inform the team (on info@thinkpacific.com) as soon as possible if your passport/nationality is not eligible for a B1/ VoA.

A B1/VOA costs IDR Rp500,000 (roughly £25) and is valid for 30 days. This can be applied for within 90 days of travel, and must be applied for through the official website: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/.

‘Tourist Levy’

To enter Bali, all foreign tourists must pay a Tourist Levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately £7.50) for all foreign tourists for the protection of Culture and the natural environment of Bali.

It is easier to do this online in advance as it makes your entrance into Bali smoother and quicker. Upon completion you will receive a QR code via email, which you must save and print. Please follow this link to pay for the Tourist Levy, from 30 days prior to travel.

Health Declaration 

To keep Bali healthy, all travellers are required to complete a health declaration. It takes 2 minutes and will be scanned in the arrivals hall – however, you are not always asked for this so don’t be scared if you make it through without being checked. You can complete the declaration online – https://sshp.kemkes.go.id/

‘All Indonesia’ Digital Arrival Card

The ‘All Indonesia’ Digital Arrival Card is a new system in place to streamline immigration, customs, and health declarations into a single form. This is a requirement for entering Bali, which everyone participating in the project must complete.

It can be completed online prior to arrival (up to 3 days/ 72 hours prior to arrival in Indonesia). Please follow this link to complete the online form OR you can complete the form via the ‘All Indonesia’ mobile app, downloadable from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Upon completion, each individual will receive a QR code via email – it is important that you download/ save a digital copy and have a printed copy of this QR code as you will need to present it to Officials at the airport.

Are all nationalities eligible for a visa to enter Indonesia?

A small number of nationalities cannot obtain a visa at all. Please refer to the official list of ineligible nationalities via this link: – Click Here. . We strongly recommend checking with your local Indonesian embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding your eligibility.

Additional Note for ‘Calling Visa’ and ‘Red List’ Countries

The Indonesian government designates certain countries as ‘Calling Visa’ countries. Nationals of these countries face a more complex visa process, which includes higher costs and longer processing times, with no guarantee of approval.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, it is crucial to seek guidance from the Indonesian embassy:

• Afghanistan
• Guinea
• Israel
• North Korea
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Somalia
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka

For further assistance, please contact the Indonesian embassy in your home country or consult their official website for detailed instructions.

Can I leave Bali and return on the same visa?

No, the VOA visa is a single entry visa. This means that if you leave Indonesia within the visa period, you will not be permitted to re-enter Indonesia on the same visa. 

Why do I need a visa to join the project?

I will need to stay more than 60 days in Bali, what is the process for this?

What happens if I overstay my visa in Bali?

It is very important that you do not overstay your visa in Bali. Overstaying over 30 days is an administrative violation punished by law in Indonesia, with a fee of 1,000,000 IDR per overstay day. Overstaying over 30 days* is a crime and can be punished by incarceration for up to 5 years and penalty up to 500 min IDR. 

*This becomes 60 days if you apply for a visa extension.

Don’t Leave Home Without It!

Travel insurance should be at the top your ‘to do list’. It’s also vital you read and understand your policy. For your own safety Think Pacific will not allow you to join our project without providing us with proof that you have personal travel insurance cover. We require you to provide your insurance details when you submit your pre-departure form.

Check If You Are Entitled To University Insurance…

If you are joining Think Pacific as part of a university project (or if you are receiving a bursary from your university) then you may receive travel insurance from your university. Please check with your university directly to check if this may apply by contacting your study abroad team.

Booking Your Own Travel Insurance…

If you are purchasing your own insurance, here are some tips

• Please check the policy carefully – read and understand any policy in detail before purchasing
• Ensure you are covered for working and volunteering abroad
• Ensure you understand what the claims process would be.

Our Travel Insurance Partner – World Nomads

World Nomad’s ‘Employer Plan’ is popular travel insurance provider and package with our participants.

• Get an Online Quote Here – World Nomads Insurance

Please note that any links are provided in good faith. Please check that you read and understand any policy and that you are confident that you are entirely happy that any insurance policy meets your needs.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Consider Medical Costs In Bali, Indonesia…

All participants must pay for medical services and medication as required in Bali. You will also be required to cover any fee incurred as a result of your medical treatment, this could include transportations costs for you and Think Pacific staff to support you at the hospital. Most medical facilities in Bali accept cash, credit cards, or insurance. It is therefore advisable to have access to funds such as a credit or debit card in the unlikely event that you should require to receive any treatment and to cover any associated travel or accommodation costs.

Keep all receipts and invoices for potential reimbursement through your travel insurance. Keep records of all medical bills, receipts, and documentation related to your treatment. You can later submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

Think Pacific staff are on hand 24 hours a day to assist and support you in any case of illness but any costs associated with any illness or treatment in Bali must be paid by you at the time in Bali.

How to book my flights?

Think Pacific projects do not include return flights, you must arrange your own air travel. But, we give you plenty of advice and can connect you with with our flight partner, KILROY.

We advise all participants request a quote from KILROY here where you can receive some exclusive Think Pacific deals and support.

For students who are flying to Bali, we recommend looking at the Qatar Airways Student Club you could receive 15% of your flight price, plus other benefits.

We also advise cost comparing flights with search engines such as SkyScanner or Google Flights etc.

What are the connecting routes for travelling to Bali?

For those travelling from UK there are no direct flights to Bali. However, Garuda Indonesia flies via Jakarta from the UK, so its flights are among the shortest, coming in at just over 18 hours. But the award for fastest route goes to Emirates: London Heathrow to Bali in 17 hours, stopping over in Dubai. However, you can fly via Singapore, Kuala Lumpar, Doha and many more depending on which airport you depart from in the UK.

There are direct flights to Bali from the majority of the major airports across Australia.

Please ensure to check all visa requirements for any destinations you will pass through and make sure you understand these rules before booking your flights.

What is the name of the airport I need to fly into?

Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, is located in southern Bali, 13 km south of Denpasar.

Is there only 1 airport in Bali? 

Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport, is the only airport on the entire island of Bali and one of the most important in Indonesia

What day of the week should I arrive?

We recommend that you arrive on the start date of your project. This allows the in-country team and the UK staff to directly support you on your journey.

What time should I arrive in Bali?

We ask that you land in Bali from 9:00am-1:00pm on the first day of your project. This is to ensure that our team is available to collect you from the airport, and take you to the briefing hotel. This will allow you time to relax before your project briefing starts on the following day.

What should I do if I arrive early?

If you are choosing to arrive early into Bali to acclimatise to project, this should be no longer than 2 days before your start date.

If you are looking to spend time on holiday outside of your project, we ask you to book this following the completion of your project date. This is to avoid any potential issues or complications with your visa application.

If you choose to arrive earlier than 2 days before the start date of your project, you must contact the team on info@thinkpacific.com to inform us of your arrival time & date to avoid any complications with your Visa.

For early arrivals, you have 3 options for meeting up with the rest of the team;

• Arranged TP transfer from Denpasar Airport at 9am on your Project Start Date.
• Arranged TP transfer from Denpasar Airport at 1pm on your Project Start Date.
• Independent travel to our briefing hotel in central Ubud by 2pm on your Project Start Date.

Please indicate your chosen option when completing your Pre-Departure Form. Please note the arranged TP transfer is included in your project fee.

What does the airport transfer with Think Pacific look like for people arriving on the Project Start Date?

For anyone arriving on the day that the project starts the Think Pacific Bali team will arrange transfers from Denpasar Airport between 9am and 1pm on the start date of your project. The latest flight arrival into Bali to be in time to use this transfer is 1pm. The transfer from the airport to the briefing hotel in Ubud takes around 1.5 – 3 hours depending on traffic.

What happens if I choose to arrive later than the Think Pacific transfer?

If you choose a flight later than our allocated times, Think Pacific will arrange a transfer for you with an additional cost. The cost for your transfer is 450k IDR (approximately £25). Please ensure this is communicated with the team as early as possible.

What does the end of the project look like?

You will leave the village on the Friday of your final week, and spend your final night with your team at a Debrief location for a time of rest and reflection. Accommodation, activities and transport will be provided. Your project will officially end at 10am on the end date of your project when you will be able to head onwards to your outbound flight or to other adventures in Bali.

Due to entry requirements in Indonesia, it is important you do a ‘passport hygiene check’ during the preparation for your Think Pacific because you will need to:

How much spending money will I need on project?

We suggest you budget around £400-500 for spending money for the Project. 

• We recommend ~£80 per weekend for each of the 3 free weekends. It is important to note that costs for accommodation, food, activities etc on your free weekend can greatly differ based on your choice. You are able to find hostels in the large tourist centres for £5-15 per night and food from as little as £2.50 per meal if eating at a local warung. However, it is easy to exceed your budget if you choose to stay at hotels/villas and eat at more expensive restaurants. Ultimately, you can spend as much or as little as you choose on your free weekend.
• In addition to this, you will need to cover the cost of your lunch for the duration of your Project, which we would budget £5/day (max £100). There are a variety of options within the village including local family-run warungs to more expensive sit-down restaurants.

What is included/not included in the project costs?

Your project costs include:

• Accommodation for the 27 nights of your project
• Breakfast and Dinner for the 28 days of your project (exception of the 3 free weekends)
• All transport associated with the project
• Pick up and drop off from the airport 
• Team-building camp and activities 
• Pre departure support
• 24/7 staff support in Bali 
• Professional workshops 

Are there any additional costs once I arrive in Bali?

Costs additional to your project include;

• Your lunches for the duration of the project.
• Resources and materials will be available for you to use during partner engagement, however, you may wish to purchase additional resources to deliver specific activities.
• Transport, accommodation, and food for your 3x free weekends. If you do not wish to travel on these weekends, you do have the option to stay in the homestay accommodation which is included in your project fee.
• Souvenirs/gifts
• Extra snacks/meals to supplement your homestay breakfasts and dinners.

Documentation for travel 

Prior to setting off to Bali, it is important you have all your documentation handy to show if requested.

Make sure you have:

• Your Passport
• A photocopy of your passport
• Proof you have completed the tourist levy, customs form, and health declaration.
• Easy access to your travel insurance policy document
• Think Pacific contact numbers

A step by step guide when arriving into Bali

What should I do if I arrive early?

If you are choosing to arrive early into Bali to acclimatise to project, ensure that you are aligned to the 30 day VOA. 

For early arrivals, please make sure you to arrive at the briefing hotel in Ubud by 2pm on your Project Start Date

There are articles, blog posts and social media accounts which share all the amazing experiences you can do whilst in Bali.

Our team have put some points together for you to consider:

• Travelling to different locations in Bali can take considerable time. Due to small roads not built for the high traffic volumes, traffic jams are very common. Give yourself additional time for travel (and consider bringing motion sickness tablets!).
• Consider where you are planning, being a responsible and an ethical tourist we’re sure is at the top of everyone’s lists. When choosing where you are going and any sights you are seeing, completing some background research before hand is always a good idea!