General Information

Types of Indonesian Visas

Indonesia is extensively preparing for a tourism recovery in the near future as the government is putting their utmost effort to flatten the curve of pandemic through the acceleration of vaccination programs and the implementation of community restrictions. Currently, Indonesia has decided to reopen Bali and Riau Islands for visitors with terms and conditions applying. Before planning your trip to Indonesia, complete your basic preparation by learning about the visa and requirements to enter Indonesia.

1 | E-Visa

e-visa application system

In order to provide ease of access, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights has developed an electronic visa (e-Visa) application system. This e-Visa aims to facilitate foreign travelers who are planning to visit Indonesia in the future and bring positive impact on the development of tourism and creative economy of Indonesia.

The e-Visa application system allows foreigners to apply for a visa online without having to visit the Republic of Indonesia Representative out of the country or the Immigration Office.

2 | Type of Visas

applying for visa

Before applying for a visa to Indonesia, you need to identify your purpose of visit in order to know what kind of visa you need. Based on the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights (KEPMENKUMHAM) No. M.HH-03.GR.01.05 of 2021, here are the current types of visas you can apply for.

Visit Visa
- Index B211A with Purpose of Visit as follows:
  - Traveling
  - Emergency and urgent work
  - Business meeting
  - Purchasing goods
  - Film production
  - Voluntary, medical, and sustenance work
  - Government duty
  - Accompanying transport tool in the region of Indonesia
  - Development of marine industry (yachters)
  - Government duty in accordance with Indonesian Presidential related meetings in G20 or International Assembly of 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
- Index B211B with Purpose of Visit as follows:
  - Candidate of expatriate in working competency trial
Visa for Temporary Resident Permit
- Visa for Temporary Resident Permit - Work
  - Index C312 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
    - Experts
    - Joining to work on board the ship, floating device, or installation which operates in the water, sea territory, continental shelf, and the exclusive economic zone in Indonesia
    - Supervising and monitoring the quality of goods or productions
    - Inspection or auditing on company branches in Indonesia
    - Post-sales service
    - Setting up and repairing mechanics
    - Non-permanent construction work
    - Film production activity with commercial purpose and have been granted permission from authorized institutions
    - Candidate of expatriate in working competency trial
- Visa for Temporary Resident Permit - Non-Work
  - Index C313 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
    - Foreign investment with validity period of 1 year
  - Index C314 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
    - Foreign investment with validity period of 2 year
  - Index C316 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
    - Education and training
  - Index C317 with Purpose of Visit as follows:
    - Family union

You can visit this link for further information regarding types of visa that are applicable in indonesia.

3 | Latest Travel Regulations

COVID-19 vaccine registration

On 27 July 2022, the government started applying the Visa On Arrival (VOA) program for 75 selected countries as well as the Visa Exemption Facility for 9 selected countries.

As a way to support the tourism recovery in Indonesia, the Indonesian Government will make sure to keep their utmost efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, namely by maintaining the status as one of countries with the highest vaccination rates, as well as the country that consistently provides safety protocols for all of its visitors.

Visit this link to gather more information about the selected countries for the VOA program and Visa Exemption Facility, as well as the rest of the travel regulations that currently apply in Indonesia.

Note that this regulation is dynamic and can be changed from time to time, so that travelers need to recheck and confirm before planning their future journey.

We hope that this information can assist you in preparing your next journey to Indonesia. We kindly ask you to stay safe by always practicing healthy habits such as washing hands frequently, wearing a mask in public, and implementing social distancing. See you soon in the near future.

*Disclaimer : This article was updated on 24 August, 2022.. Due to the dynamic nature of travel regulations, please keep yourself updated by following our social media.

Getting to Indonesia

Am I familiar with the visa and immigration policies of Indonesia?

Before departing on your exciting adventure across the various wonders of Indonesia, be sure you have all the necessary travel documents that you will need to bring along on your trip. It will also be wise if you are well aware of all the information regarding immigration and visas to Indonesia from your home country to avoid all the unnecessary inconveniences.

Please refer to our Visa and Immigration information page to learn about the entry information to Indonesia and other related information.

1 | What are the easiest ways for me to get to Indonesia by air?

The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang (just at the outskirt of Jakarta) and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Both have undergone massive expansion and are now equipped with the latest and most convenient facilities. Other Airports that also serve international flights include Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Hasanudin Airport in Makassar, and Kuala Namu in Medan. The recently established West Java International Airport in Majalengka, West Java Province about 68Km from Bandung also serves numerous international flights.

Travel to Indonesia from the Americas can take as little as 20 hours and requires at least a transit in East Asia, Europe or the Middle East. Travel from most of Europe will take less than 20 hours. While there are direct flights to Jakarta from Amsterdam, London and Istanbul, for other cities a transit is required. Australia, though, is just 4–7 hours away. There are several flights from various cities in the Middle East to Indonesia. There are also short flights from Indonesian cities to nearby Malaysian cities, such as from Pontianak to Kuching, Tarakan to Tawau, and Pekanbaru to Malacca.

Garuda Indonesia, the flag carrier of Indonesia, serves flights to several cities in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Amsterdam, and London. The airline also has extensive code-sharing agreements (Sky Team) and this assists in providing good flight frequencies from airports in countries near Indonesia.

Other international airlines that serve to and from Indonesia include AirAsia. Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Emirates, Eva Air, Firefly, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lion Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, and Qantas/Jetstar Airways.

2 | What is the best route available by sea?

Ferries

Ferries connect Indonesia with the neighboring countries of Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Most connections are between ports in Sumatra and Riau Islands Province and those in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. The close proximity between Batam Island and Bintan Island in Riau Islands Province to Singapore and Malaysia has made the twin-island the third and fourth main entrance to the country. There is also a ferry service between Malaysia's Sabah state and East Kalimantan. Onward boat connections to Jakarta and other Indonesian islands are available from these ports. Meanwhile, Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) ships connect General Santos and Davao in the Philippines with Bitung, in North Sulawesi.

Frequent ferries connect Singapore to various ports in Batam, as well as Tanjung Pinang and Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi (Bintan Resorts) in Bintan. There are also daily ferries that connect Singapore with Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island. In Peninsular Malaysia, daily and frequent ferries depart from various ports including Johor Bahru and Port Kland Near Kuala Lumpur to Batam, Bintan, Tanjung Balai, as well as Dumai and Pekanbaru in Riau Province, and Tanjung Balai Asahan in North Sumatra.

Cruise Ships and Yachts

Cruise ships call at 5 ports: Tanjung Priok (North Jakarta), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Belawan (near Medan), Makassar and Tanjung Benoa (Bali). There are 24 schedules of regular cruise ships from Singapore, visiting Java and Bali, whereas irregular schedule cruise ships visiting Bali and Nusa Tenggara. You may take a cruise and stop at specific locations along the way with everyone else, in which case Immigration will be handled on your ship. It may be possible to end your cruise here, in which case you'll need to visit an Immigration office after disembarking.

Committed to making it easier for yachters and cruise ships to enter the waters, the Indonesian government has implemented a number of policies that simplify procedures. These include the waiver of cabotage so that cruise ships are able to embark and disembark passengers at the appointed ports. The government has also eased the CIQP (customs, immigration, quarantine, and port authorities) procedures and simplified the sailing permit application from one month to just one day.

3 | How will I manage traveling overland if I’m on the border?

Indonesia shares land borders with three countries: Timor Leste in Timor Island, Malaysia in Borneo, and Papua New Guinea in Papua. From Timor Leste, The border crossing to Indonesia is located at the town of Atambua with the main border post of Mota’ain. In Atambua, there are also the border posts of Matamauk and Napan.

From Malaysia, Regular buses between Kuching (Sarawak, eastern Malaysia) and Pontianak (West Kalimantan) pass through the border post at Entikong. The Aruk Border Post in Sambas Regency, connect West Kalimantan Province in Indonesia to Sarawak, Malaysia. The Nanga Badau Sanggau Border Post also connects West Kalimantan and the State of Sarawak in Malaysia.

The only land crossing that connects the Indonesian province of Papua and Papua New Guinea is the Skouw Border Post situated at Muaratami District which is about 60Km from Jayapura, the capital city of Papua Province.

Local Law

When visiting other countries, it is customary to pay close attention to the local laws that apply, Indonesia is no exception. As a country of diversity with an abundance of different cultures, laws, and customs to honour, respect and comply with, travellers who plan to visit Indonesia must follow these local laws & customs to avoid any trouble or mishaps.

DRUGS

What is the penalty for drug possession and trafficking in Indonesia?

Like in many countries, Indonesia has Capital Punishments for Possession and Trafficking of illegal drugs.

Possession is punishable by 4 to 12 years of imprisonment. There is also IDR 800 million to 8 billion (US$89,600 to US$896,000) worth of fines. If the drugs exceed 1 kilogram (for raw drugs like marijuana) or 5 grams (for processed drugs like heroin and cocaine), a maximum punishment of life imprisonment may be imposed.

Trafficking is punishable by 5 to 15 years of imprisonment and fines of IDR one billion to ten billion (US$112,000 to US$1.2 million). If the volume of drugs exceeds 1 kilogram (for raw drugs) or 5 grams (for processed drugs), the death penalty may be imposed.

SMOKING

Is Smoking Allowed in Indonesia?

Smoking is prohibited in public places, such as Healthcare Facilities, Educational Facilities, and Places of Worship. Smoking is also prohibited in Public Transport. Children’s Outdoor or Indoor Facilities are also a smoke-free zone. Designated smoking areas are a must in other types of public places and office buildings.

How Many Cigarettes Can I Bring to Indonesia?

Travellers could bring a maximum of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult.

DRINKING

Is alcohol legal in Indonesia?

As a country with Muslims as the majority, alcohol drinking is prohibited by the laws of the religion and frowned upon. However, since Indonesia is a country with diverse cultures and religions, currently there are no alcohol bans being enforced in Indonesia, with the exception of Aceh.

Drinking is also prohibited in most Public Places such as Worship Places, Workplaces, Schools, Malls, Supermarkets, Minimarkets, Outdoor/Indoor Public Space, and other places where there are a lot of people/crowd in the area. Also prohibited, driving while under the influence of alcohol. Don’t drink and drive!

What is the drinking age in Indonesia?

The legal age for drinking in Indonesia is 21 years old. Those who are caught drinking outside the legal age will face serious punishment or charges from the authorities.

OVERSTAYING

What Happens if You Overstayed in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s law on immigration for travellers who overstay is no more than 60 days. Those who overstay within the 60 days period will have to pay a daily fine of IDR up to 1 million per day. Those who overstayed more than 60 days will face deportation and possible blacklisting.

DRIVING

Can Foreigners Drive in Indonesia?

Foreigners can drive using an international driving permit that has been issued in Indonesia, as well as a driver's license from the individual’s home country. Alternatively, foreigners can have the international driving permit issued in their home country before they leave, but this may need to be endorsed by the Indonesian licensing office in Jakarta once they arrive.

What is the Age Limit to Drive in Indonesia?

The age limit to drive in Indonesia after obtaining the Indonesian driving license issued by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is 17 years old.

What is the speed limit in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, people drive on the left-hand side of the road, and standard international driving laws apply. The speed limit is 50kph in urban areas in Indonesia, and 100kph on a motorway, but the only proper motorways in the country are in Java.

GAMBLING

Is Gambling Legal in Indonesia?

Gambling is prohibited in Indonesia, it is considered completely illegal for both locals and foreigners. There are no proper casinos in the country, and those who practice gambling may find severe punishments by authorities and thrown to jail.

WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY HOTLINE IN INDONESIA?

Indonesia has different systems for landlines and mobile phones: landlines use area codes, while mobile phones do not. For landline area codes, the digit "0" is added in front when dialling domestic long distance from within Indonesia, but is always omitted when calling from abroad. Here are some important numbers/hotline for Police Assistance in case you need assistance on a matter:

Emergency Numbers

Police/General Emergencies: 110 or 112(From Satellite and Mobile Phones)
Ambulance and Medical Emergencies: 118 or 119
Firefighter: 113
Search and Rescue (BASARNAS): 115
Natural Disaster Assistance: 129

Useful Numbers:

International Phone Number Information: 102

Local Phone Number Information: 108

Domestic Call Operator: 100 and 106

International Call Operators: 101 and 107

Tourism Information:

Bureau of Public Communication of the Ministry of Tourism: +62 21 3838899

Important note for foreigners visiting Indonesia, be sure to carry your passport with you at all times as a form of identification as a precaution measures. Chances are you won't need it, but there is always a chance that you may be required to do so.