For all of the tourists visiting the world's largest archipelago, entry is quite straightforward, provided you have the correct visa (if one is actually required) and complete all the necessary arrival formalities. This article gives an overview of the current requirements for entering Indonesia.
Before you travel to Indonesia
Whatever your nationality and visa type, the following requirements usually apply when entering Indonesia:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
- You should have at least two blank passport pages.
- You may be asked to show proof of onward or return travel, particularly if entering on a Visa on Arrival or e-VoA.
- Certain goods (including some food, plant and animal products) are restricted or prohibited and must be declared when you go through customs.
- You'll need to fill out an arrival card on the “All Indonesia” website.
Visa exemptions for Indonesia
Indonesia allows visa-free entry for short stays if you're from a certain country.
Under the visa exemption scheme:
- Your stay is usually limited to around 30 days.
- Your stay cannot be extended.
- The visa-free entry cannot be converted into another type of residence or stay permit.
As eligibility and conditions can change frequently, it's worth checking the latest information with Indonesian immigration authorities or the Indonesian embassy/consulate in your country of residence before you travel.
Visa on arrival (VoA) and e-VoA in Indonesia
Many foreigners are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), which is used mainly for tourism and family visits.
The VoA can be obtained:
- On arrival at selected airports and seaports, or
- Online before travel as an electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA). This option is being encouraged and proving very popular.
The VoA usually means the following:
- Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival.
- Single entry.
- Extendable once for a further 30 days.
- Fee: IDR 500,000.
Overstaying a visa may mean daily fines and additional immigration penalties.
To apply for an e-VoA, you're usually asked to submit:
- A copy of their passport (valid for at least six months).
- A passport-style photograph.
- An email address.
- Online payment.
Visitor visa to Indonesia
If you can't get a visa exemption or a VoA, or if you want to stay in Indonesia a bit longer (who can blame you!), then you'll need to apply for a visitor visa before traveling.
Visitor visas are issued for an initial stay of up to 60 days. Depending on the visa category, they can be extended several times through Indonesian immigration offices.
Applications are now handled through Indonesia's official online visa system, rather than directly through embassies.
Supporting documents usually include:
- Passport and photograph.
- Proof of sufficient funds.
- Travel itinerary and accommodation details.
- A local sponsor or guarantor, where required.
The exact requirements depend on the purpose of your stay (tourism, family visit, business, etc.) and should be checked carefully before applying.
Multiple-entry visit visa to Indonesia
Foreigners who travel to Indonesia frequently for family, business meetings or other activities may be able to apply for a multiple-entry visit visa.
This type of visa allows multiple entries over a certain period of time, with a maximum length of stay per visit.
You should note that:
- Stay limits apply to each entry.
- Employment is not permitted under these visit visa categories.
Details and eligibility criteria for these visas are all available through Indonesia's official immigration channels.
Visa extensions and length of stay in Indonesia
Whether a short-term visa can be extended really depends on the visa category. Visa-free entry cannot be extended and does not allow conversion to another visa type. Meanwhile, the Visa on Arrival (VoA / e-VoA) is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for a further 30 days (subject to approval by Indonesian immigration authorities, of course).
Other visitor visas may allow multiple extensions up to a maximum total stay, which is determined by the visa type. Extensions are not automatic, so you'll need to apply at the local immigration office, which often involves both online submission and an in-person visit. It's a good idea to apply for any extensions well before your current stay expires.
Arrival formalities and other requirements in Indonesia
Online arrival and customs forms
Indonesia uses online systems for its arrival declarations. You'll need to complete an electronic arrival form (“All Indonesia”) that combines customs and health declarations before your arrival and keep the QR code available for inspection.
An electronic customs declaration (e-CD) is also used to declare goods brought into the country.
You'll notice that airlines or airport authorities may provide specific instructions on which forms must be completed and when.
Bali tourist levy
Tourists arriving in Bali need to pay a tourist levy of IDR 150,000. You can pay for this when you arrive, or do it beforehand online. It's worth keeping proof of this payment during your stay.
Vaccination requirements
At the time of writing, Indonesia might ask for proof of yellow fever vaccination from travelers arriving from countries where the disease is currently considered a risk.
Local registration
For shorter stays in hotels and other accommodations, registration with local authorities is normally just handled automatically by the accommodation provider. If you're staying in private accommodation or for a longer time, then you might need to make sure your address and presence are properly registered with local authorities.
Foreigners holding longer-term stay permits should report changes of address and always comply with any local administrative requirements. Because all of these procedures can vary depending on your location and the length of stay, you should check things out with the local immigration office once you've arrived.
Important:
Visit visa categories, including visa exemptions and Visa on Arrival, don't allow employment in Indonesia. Foreigners who want to work here should apply for the appropriate stay and work permits before beginning any sort of professional activity.
Leaving and re-entering Indonesia on short-term visas
Short-term visas like visa-free entry, VoA, and visitor visas are given for specific periods and purposes, and leaving and re-entering Indonesia does not guarantee you can re-enter on the same terms again. So, while it is legally possible to exit and re-enter Indonesia on a new short-term visa (if you're eligible for one in the first place), repeated short stays or frequent re-entries could end up attracting closer scrutiny from immigration authorities.
We advise that travelers and expats shouldn't rely on multiple short-term visas as a long-term stay strategy. If you're looking to stay in Indonesia for extended periods, then you should apply for a visa that better matches the length and purpose of your stay, rather than attempting these repeated exits and re-entries.
Useful links:
Directorate General of Immigration
Indonesian Customs and Excises
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
