Indonesia has a fairly complicated visa policy due to the number of different visa types available to tourists. Furthermore, the rules changed after the pandemic began which complicates finding reliable information online.
Between the outdated information, the government’s confusing rules, and the recent introduction of a glitchy online visa portal, making sense of Indonesia visa requirements is troublesome. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about:
- Indonesia visa policy and requirements
- Eligibility for visa on arrival
- The difference between the various tourist visas and which one is right for you
- How to apply online, on arrival, or at an embassy
- Which visas are extendable and how
- The prices of different visas
Table of Contents
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Indonesia Visa Policy
Only 10 countries are visa-exempt for Indonesia – all ASEAN states plus Timor Leste.
These 10 plus 87 additional countries are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA). These two types of visas (also called B1) are equivalent and almost identical in their use and specifications. Use of VOA or eVOA is only possible at certain points of entry. They are valid for 30 days, extendable once.
All ordinary passport holders except for a select few countries are eligible for the tourist single-entry visitor visa (also called C1) under certain conditions outlined in detail below. It is valid for 60 days and is extendable twice. This is sometimes referred to as the Indonesia digital nomad visa.
The visas so far mentioned are all single entry. Multiple-entry tourist visas exist but they are not really intended for use by tourists.
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Visa Requirements
Each visa has its own set of requirements outlined in its respective section. Nonetheless, there are a few common requirements for all types of visas and as well as visa exemption:
- Have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport
- Have an onward or return ticket
- Enter through a designated port. These may vary from visa to visa.
Your return ticket may or may not be inspected. It’s good to be prepared even if your plans are flexible. Book an onward ticket before you travel for peace of mind.
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Tourist Visa Types
Indonesia has dozens of visa types. However, for tourism purposes, there are three main ones: Visa on Arrival (VOA and eVOA) and single-entry visitor visa. Some nationalities can enter visa-free.
Check out the table below for the main characteristics of these visas:
| Visa-Type | Code | Duration | Extendable? | How to extend? | Cost | Where to get it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption | – | 30 days | No | – | Free | – |
| VOA | B1 | 30 days | Once | Online + In-person | 500,000 IDR | On arrival at eligible ports of entry |
| eVOA | B1 | 30 days | Once | Online + In-person | 500,000 IDR | Online |
| Single-Entry Visitor Visa | C1 | 60 days | Twice | Online + In-person | 1,000,000 IDR | Online |
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Visa Exemption
Indonesia changed its immigration law in 2015 to give many countries a visa exemption. This was reverted at the beginning of the pandemic. The only countries to regain visa-free access to Indonesia in 2022 were its ASEAN partners and Timor-Leste.
The visa exemption is not extendable and not convertible into any other type of visa. This is the reason why some may still obtain an extendable visa for a longer trip.
Eligibility
Nationals of these 10 countries are visa-exempt for up to 30 days:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor Leste
- Vietnam
Designated ports of entry
There are 16 airports, 95 seaports, and 11 overland borders that allow visa-free entry. Check the updated list on the official Indonesian Immigration website.
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Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Nowadays, most travelers to Indonesia obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA). It is the easiest and cheapest option for most short-term tourists.
The Visa on Arrival (VOA) is valid for 30 days. The day when you land is considered day 1 and you must leave on or before day 30 (this date is usually stamped on your passport).
The VOA costs 500,000 IDR. It’s payable on arrival in IDR or most other popular foreign currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc), albeit at an unfavorable rate.
Extension
The visa is extendable once for an additional 30 days.
It is now possible to start the VOA extension online. After payment and submission, you must appear in person at the nearest Kantor Imigrasi (immigration office). If done completely offline, it takes 3 visits to the immigration office.
Various agents online and offline offer to facilitate the extension for a fee. If you decide to go this route, you will only need to visit an immigration office once.
Eligibility
Passport holders from 97 countries can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA). These are:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Designated ports of entry
There are 15 airports, 91 seaports, and 12 overland borders that allow visa-free entry.
Strictly speaking, there is a requirement to be “financially sufficient” during your stay, but in practice, nobody ever asks for such proof.
Procedure at the border
When you arrive at the border, look for the designated Visa on Arrival (VOA) desks. At busier airports like Bali’s Denpasar (DPS) or Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta (CGK), there are often queues from 5 minutes up to an hour.
When it is your turn, give your passport and pay. If you pay in foreign currency, they will do the exchange for you on the spot. The rate is not good.
Then proceed to an immigration desk. Piece of cake, apart from the possible waiting.
Read the Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VOA) guide for in-depth information, including the list of ports of entry, document requirements, and the process to obtain VOA at Bali airport.
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Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA/B1)
The Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) is a bit of a misnomer. You apply for it online before your trip, then on arrival, present the authorization document and receive a stamp in your passport.
It is a relatively new option, first introduced in November 2022. It is almost identical to the regular VOA – it is the same cost, the same duration, and the same countries are eligible.
The two main ways in which it is different are the way you get it and the way you extend it.
Obtaining eVOA online
The main official website where you should apply for the eVOA is the eVisa Imigrasi of the Indonesian government. Do not use any other websites – they will charge you extra at best and turn out to be scams at worst.
Although you can apply for the eVOA as a guest, I strongly advise you to create an account first. This will save you a big headache if you later decide to extend it.
Applying is straightforward and similar to other countries’ online visa portals. A few things to look out for:
- Pick the 30-day Tourist Visa on Arrival option, code B1.
- The address you put doesn’t really matter, just use the first hotel you will stay at. Only write the postcode and the rest should populate automatically.
- Pay within 2 hours of submitting your application; otherwise, it becomes void.
- Save the PDF file on your phone to show to immigration on arrival.
I recommend reading this detailed Indonesia eVOA step-by-step guide to apply for your eVOA.
Extending eVOA online and appearing at immigration
The eVOA extension can be started online, but must appear at the immigration office for a photo and a short interview.
To extend, log back to the eVisa Imigrasi. If you didn’t have an account created, scan the QR code at the bottom of the PDF file and proceed from there.
Once on the welcome screen, click EXTEND, follow the prompts, pay, and you are done!
Double-check the date of expiry of the extension. You must leave on or before that date.
At the border, just show the PDF of the extension confirmation – the officer will check it in the system and stamp you out.
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Tourist Single-Entry Visitor Visa (C1)
The tourist visa, officially known as Tourist Single-Entry Visitor Visa, or C1 is the most popular among long-term tourists and digital nomads. It is initially valid for 60 days and extendable twice for a maximum stay of 180 days.
It is also the only short-term tourist visa option for countries that are not eligible for the VOA or eVOA. The C1 visa is open to all nationalities, EXCEPT FOR:
- Afghanistan
- Guinea
- Israel
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Somalia
These countries need a special Calling Visa.
It is possible to convert the C1 to an ITAS (Limited Stay Permit) within Indonesia. This is viable for long-term residents only.
Obtaining C1 tourist visa online
The best way to obtain a single-entry visitor visa is through the eVisa Imigrasi website. There, the visa is coded as a “Tourist Single-Entry Visitor Visa”.
The application process is similar to the one for the eVOA. Just pick “Tourist single-entry visitor visa 60 days” from the dropdown menu when prompted.
The required documents you must submit are:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- A recent color photograph
- Proof of having at least 2,000 USD or equivalent. This can be a bank account statement.
The visa costs 1,000,000 IDR, payable immediately after submission.
Obtaining the C1 from an agent
Any agent in Indonesia, especially in Bali, can apply for a C1 visa on your behalf. If you apply via an agent, the documentation needed is minimal. That’s because the agent uses their financial proofs instead of yours.
Agents charge about 2,000,000-3,000,000 IDR for applying C1 visa on your behalf. They usually need a picture of your passport ID page and a digital passport-size photo.
In 2022, I used Indonesian Gate to obtain my C1 (then it was called B211A) visa. It’s owned and managed by a local and a Westerner. They were recommended by many on the Bali expat Facebook groups.
Extending the C1 visa
The C1 is extendable twice for 60 days each. Each extension costs 1,500,000 IDR.
Unfortunately, extensions are not an easy task. They are not quick either. Start the process at least 10 days before the expiry date of the initial visa.
As long as you’ve initiated the extension process, you will not be fined if your original visa expires.
Extend using an agency
Many go to Indonesia and don’t want to bother with administration, documents, and mundane trips to immigration. Understandable. If that’s the case, just pay someone to do it for you!
I recommend Indonesian Gate but you can also look online or ask the community in Bali and you will quickly find many options.
You will still need to make 1 trip to immigration to have your biometrics taken.
Usually, the procedure goes like this:
- You contact the agency and give them your passport. They bring it to immigration to start the process.
- A few days later, they call you to go to the immigration office for biometrics.
- Another few days later they collect your passport and bring it back to you.
Extend it yourself
If you want to save some money, do the extension yourself.
In total, you will have to make 3 trips to immigration:
- Bring your passport and fill in an extension application form.
- Wait for a call and go back to do biometrics.
- A few days later, go back to collect your passport with the visa extension.
The whole process takes 7-10 days.
Read the Indonesia Tourist Visa article for more in-depth information on requirements, documents, application and extension process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a vaccination certificate to visit Indonesia?
No! Since 9 June 2023, no vaccination requirements are in place.
What happens if I overstay my visa?
There is a fine of 1,000,000 IDR per day of overstay. It is payable at the border in cash. Unless you have overstayed a huge amount of days (30+), a fine is probably all you will get – no black stamps, no bans. Don’t risk it – leave on time.
Can I travel inside Indonesia without my passport?
While waiting for an extension, your passport will be at immigration. Don’t let this stop you from exploring Indonesia!
You can travel to other provinces and take domestic flights without your passport. Just take a clear picture of your passport and the visa stamp. If using an agency for the extension, they will also provide a confirmation letter.
Can I travel outside Indonesia and come back on the same visa if I didn’t use the maximum number of days?
No. All tourist visas are single-entry. Leaving Indonesia voids the visa regardless of the visit duration.
Can I enter Indonesia a second time on a new visa?
Yes, you can. That’s called “doing a visa run”.
A visa run means leaving the country and reentering on a new visa to reset the allowed stay. Many visitors to Bali and Indonesia in general do it all the time. The most popular destinations for a visa run are Malaysia and Singapore.
Can I do a same-day visa run?
There are no official rules stating the minimum necessary time outside of Indonesia before you can re-enter.
Nevertheless, immigration (both Indonesian and foreign) generally frowns upon same-day return. I strongly advise that you spend at least 1 day, preferably 3, outside of the country to avoid suspicion.
What is the best Indonesian visa for me?
Let’s assume you are eligible for all the visas listed in this article. This is the quick answer:
- If you are going for fewer than 30 days, get visa exemption if eligible. If not, get VOA at the airport or eVOA online.
- If you are going for 30-60 days, get the VOA or eVOA and extend it.
- If you are going for more than 60 days, get the single-entry C1 visa and extend it.
Credits: Maps are made with mapchart.net
