If you’re thinking of visiting Indonesia, chances are you do not need an Indonesia Visa at all. That’s because the Indonesian visa policy is very lenient. For stays of up to 30 days, only nationals from a few countries have to apply for a visa. Additionally, several others can apply for an Indonesian Visa on Arrival.
Who Needs an Indonesia Visa?
You need a visa to travel to Indonesia if you are from one of the following countries:
AfghanistanCameroonCentral African RepublicColombiaCongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoDjiboutiEquatorial GuineaEritreaEthiopiaGuineaGuinea-BissauIranIraqIsraelKosovoLiberiaMicronesiaMontenegroNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth SudanSudanSyriaYemen
Citizens of countries not mentioned above can enter Indonesia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. If you are from a “visa-free” country, but you want to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days, you also have to apply for an Indonesia visa. Please see “Indonesia Visa Free Countries” at the end of the article for a comprehensive list of who can enter Indonesia without a visa.
Do I Need a Visa to Transit in Indonesia?
If you are normally exempt from holding an Indonesian Tourist Visa, then you also do not need an Indonesia airport transit visa.
But if you are from one of the countries listed above, then you do have to apply for an Indonesia visa unless:
You will transit in Jakarta (CGK) and
You have a confirmed onward flight ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours, and
You do not leave the international transit area of the airport and
You have the necessary documents (visa, passport, etc) for the next destination
Or
You will transit in an airport other than Jakarta (CGK) and
You have an onward flight ticket within 8 hours and
You do not leave the international transit area of the airport and
You have the necessary documents (visa, passport, etc) for the next destination
Types of Indonesian Visas
Indonesian visas are divided into the following types, based on the purpose and duration of your trip:
Tourist Visa (Embassy and On Arrival)
Multiple-entry Visa
Business Visa
Limited Stay Visa
Indonesia Tourist Visa
The Indonesia Tourist Visa is a single-entry visa, which is issued for a maximum of 30 days. Certain nationals can receive the Indonesia tourist visa on arrival (see above). You can extend this visa once you are in Indonesia, and stay for a maximum of 60 days. You can get this type of visa if you intend to enter Indonesia for tourism, recreational, or visiting purposes. You cannot work or conduct business with a tourist visa.
You have to apply for an Indonesia tourist visa only if you are from one of the visa-required countries or you want to stay for more than 30 days. Otherwise, most people do not need to apply for an Indonesia visa for tourism at all.
Indonesia Multiple-Entry Visa
The Indonesian Indonesia Multiple-Entry Visa is issued to people who will enter Indonesia for official government activities, business or commercial activities, or family visits. This visa is valid for six months, one year, or two years. To receive this type of visa, you have to get Authorization from the Directorate General of Immigration in Indonesia.
Indonesia Business Visa
The Business Visa for Indonesia is a type of multiple-entry visa, which can be issued for up to one year. With it, a business traveller can enter Indonesia multiple times and can stay up to 60 days in any entry.
With a Business visa, you can attend meetings or training, do negotiations, and other business-related activities, but you cannot take up actual employment in Indonesia (i.e. you cannot be paid a salary by an Indonesian company).
Indonesia Limited Stay Visa
The Limited Stay Visa for Indonesia is a type of “long-stay” visa, despite the name. This is the type of visa you need if you want to work, study, join a family member, or retire in Indonesia. Fr example:
Indonesia Family Visa
In order for you to apply for one of these visas, your sponsor or guarantor in Indonesia (i.e. your employer, school, or family member) has to apply for a Letter of Visa Authorization in the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta, Indonesia. Once the Directorate General of Immigration authorizes your visa, they will notify the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate who will then give you the visa.
Documents Needed for an Indonesia Visa Application
When you apply for an Indonesia visa, you must have several documents which support your application. The Indonesia visa requirements differ depending on the visa that you are applying for.
How to Apply for an Indonesia Visa?
You can apply for an Indonesia visa in one of the following ways:
At an Indonesian Mission abroad (Embassy or Consulate) before you travel
On arrival at the airport in Indonesia
Applying for an Indonesia Visa at an Embassy or Consulate
The process for an Indonesian visa application is:
Find the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate responsible for your jurisdiction. You can find the Diplomatic Missions of Indonesia here.
Contact them or visit their website to learn about the visa application requirements.
Make an appointment, if necessary.
Collect the required documents for the Indonesia visa application. You have to submit your passport along with the documents.
Pay the Indonesia visa fee. The method of payment changes depending on the specific Embassy or Consulate. Some require you to pay through a bank, while others accept cash. The visa fees are non-refundable. See “Indonesia Visa Fees” below.
Submit the documents at the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. In some cases, you may be allowed to submit the documents by mail.
Wait for the Embassy/Consulate to process your visa application.
Once they have a decision, you should go back to pick up your passport and documents. If you applied by mail, the Embassy/Consulate will mail them to you. If the decision was positive, you will receive your Indonesian visa.
Please note: Although the process detailed above is a general overview, the exact process varies from country to country. This is why the first thing you should do is contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate responsible for your jurisdiction.
Applying for an Indonesia Visa on Arrival
See here for how to apply for an Indonesia Visa on Arrival and the documents you have to present. Please note that the Indonesia VOA is only issued for short-term touristic purposes.
How Long Does It Take to Process an Indonesian Visa?
It takes about 3 – 5 working days for the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate to process your visa application. Still, the processing time depends on the specific diplomatic mission where you are applying as well as the application method. If you apply by mail, it will take longer for you to receive the visa due to the mailing time.
If you are from the following countries, the processing time will be longer since the Embassy/Consulate has to request permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta:
Afghanistan
Cameroon
Guinea
Israel
Liberia
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Pakistan
Somalia
Syria
Indonesia Visa Fees
The Indonesia Visa fees are as follows:
Single-entry Tourist Visa: USD 50
Multiple-entry Tourist/Visit/Business Visa: USD 100
Limited Stay Visa:
Six months: USD 50
One year: USD 90
Two years: USD 160
Visa on Arrival: USD 35
How to pay the Indonesia visa fee?
There isn’t a single acceptable way to pay the Indonesia visa fee. This will depend on what Embassy or Consulate you are applying, and whether you’re applying by mail or in person. Luckily, the Indonesian Embassies/Consulates have instructions about the payment method on their websites. Sometimes you have to purchase a Money Order, and other times you can pay via your Credit or Debit Card.
Note: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules as well as the country in which you apply.
What Is the Duration of an Indonesia Visa?
The validity of a Tourist Visa for Indonesia is 30 days and for a single entry. This type of visa can be extended for another 30 days before expiration.
Visas on Arrival are also valid for 30 days and extendable.
A multiple-entry Indonesia visa is valid for one year. You cannot stay longer than 60 days on each entry.
Limited stay visas are issued for six months, one year, or two years.
If you are from one of the countries with visa exemption, you can enter Indonesia without a visa and stay up to 30 days as well (same as with VOA or tourist visa), but you cannot apply for an extension!
Indonesia Visa Extension
You can apply for an Indonesia visa extension before your current visa expires at the Immigration Office in Indonesia. You have to pay a fee, which will be the same as your original visa fee (i.e: USD 35 for Visa on Arrival; USD 50 for Embassy Tourist Visa). You can apply for an extension up to 4 times, each time for 30 days.
You cannot apply for an extension of your stay if you have entered under Visa Waiver (without a visa).
If you stay longer than you are allowed, you will have to pay a fee for every day you have overstayed. The overstay fee is approximately USD 70 per day.
Indonesia Visa for US Citizens
If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa for Indonesia. You need only your passport (which has to be valid for another six months) and a return or onward ticket. You can stay in Indonesia without a visa for up to 30 days. Make sure you don’t overstay because you will have to pay a fine when you depart.
If you want to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days, you have to get a visa. You can either get it at one of the Visa On Arrival counters at the airport or you can apply from an Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in the US. The Visa on Arrival will also be valid for 30 days, but you can extend it before it expires, and you get another 30 days. You are not allowed to extend your stay in Indonesia if you initially entered without a visa.
Indonesia Visa Free Countries
If your country is listed on the table below, you do not need a visa to visit Indonesia for up to 30 days:
AlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCanadaCape VerdeChadChileChinaCommonwealth of DominicaComorosCosta RicaCote D’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEnglandEstoniaFijiFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SARHungaryIcelandIndiaIrelandItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau SARMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNorwayOmanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSt Kitts and NevisSt LuciaSt Vincent and GrenadinesSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUSAUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamZambiaZimbabwe
Documents Required for Indonesia Visa Application
When you apply for an Indonesian visa, you have to submit several documents to the Embassy/Consulate so they can process your application. The Indonesia visa requirements change depending on the type of visa you need, how you are applying, and even what country you are from.
Indonesia Visa Requirements
The documents required for an Indonesian visa application include:
Passport.
Passport-size pictures, in line with Indonesia visa photo requirements.
Indonesia Visa Application Form.
Proof of Travel Arrangements.
Proof of Accommodation in Indonesia.
Proof of Sufficient Financial Means.
Invitation Letter to Indonesia.
Cover Letter (for Business Travellers).
Indonesia Visa Fee Payment.
Your Passport
You have to submit your passport to the Indonesia Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your visa. The passport must:
Be valid for at least another six months from the date of application.
Have at least one blank visa page (for some types of visas, such as the retirement visa, more blank pages are required)
Must be in good condition
You may also be required to submit a copy of the relevant pages of your passport, such as the personal information page and previous visas and entry stamps.
Indonesia Visa Photo Requirements
Another visa requirement for Indonesia is submitting 2 to 4 recent pictures of yourself which meet the following requirements:
Dimensions: 3cm x 4cm or 4cm x 6cm (depending on the Embassy/Consulate)
White or red background (depending on the Embassy/Consulate)
Taken within the last three month
Your face must be fully visible and you must be staring straight ahead
You must have a neutral facial expression
No headgear allows unless it is for religious purposes. Even them, the face must be fully visible.
If you have prescription eye-glasses, they must not have glare, thick rims, or be too big.
The picture must be attached to the designated spot on the Indonesia Visa Application Form using an adhesive/paper glue (not a stapler or scotch tape)
Indonesia Visa Application Form
Different Embassies/Consulates have their own requirements where to download or fill in the visa application form. Some offer it at their premises, whereas others allow you to print it out yourself or complete it online before applying.
In all cases, you must hand in at least one copy of the Indonesia visa application form along with the rest of the required documents. The visa application form must:
Be fully completed
Include all correct information
Be signed (for minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign the form)
Include a picture of yourself, as described above
Proof of Travel Arrangements
Another requirement for Indonesian visas is proof of travel arrangements, such as a flight itinerary. You must submit an itinerary or electronic ticket reservation, which shows dates of entry and exit into Indonesia as well as your full name.
Proof of Accommodation in Indonesia
Proof of accommodation as part of the Indonesia visa requirements can be:
Hotel booking/reservation,
Invitation Letter from a host, if you are planning to stay with friends or family members/relatives,
Confirmation by an organized tour operator or holiday tours, or
Rental agreement / contract.
Proof of Sufficient Financial Means
When you apply for an Indonesian visa, you have to be able to prove that you can sustain yourself financially during your stay. Proof of sufficient funds can be bank statements showing transactions from the last three months, officially issued from your bank. You need about $2,000 for a stay of one month.
If you have a sponsor who will be covering your expenses, such as a host company for business travelers, they must show
Invitation Letter
If you are traveling to Indonesia to visit friends or relatives, they may have to write you an invitation letter, which you have to include with the other Indonesia visa requirements.
If you are traveling for business, then the company in Indonesia which you will visit has to write you a letter of invitation. This type of letter must:
Be written on the company’s letterhead
Show the full address and phone number of the inviting company
State the number of days and entries you are requesting the visa for
In both cases, the inviter has to explain whether they share responsibility for your accommodation and maintenance costs.
Cover Letter (for Business Travellers)
Business travellers will also need a Business Visa Cover Letter from the company, organization or institution for which they work. The letter has to be written on the company’s letterhead and include the full address and phone number of the company/organization/institution as well as number of days and entries that the applicant needs the visa.
Indonesia Visa Requirements for Mail Application
If you apply by mail, one of the Indonesia visa requirements is a pre-paid, stamped and self-addressed envelope which can be mailed using a safe courier or postal service. The Embassy/Consulate will use the envelope to mail you back your documents as well as your passport (which, if the application was successful, will contain your Indonesian visa).
Indonesia Visa Fee
When you apply for an Indonesian visa, you will have to pay a non-refundable fee as follows:
Single-entry Tourist Visa: USD 50
Multiple-entry Tourist/Visit/Business Visa: USD 100
Limited Stay Visa:
Six months: USD 50
One year: USD 90
Two years: USD 160
Visa on Arrival: USD 35
What is proof of payment of the Indonesia visa fee?
Since there is no single acceptable way to pay the Indonesia visa fee, the proof of payment will depend on the Embassy/Consulate and whether you are by mail or in person. You can usually find instructions about the payment method on their websites. Sometimes you have to purchase a Money Order, and other times you can pay via your Credit or Debit Card.
Note: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules as well as the country in which you apply.
Indonesia Visa Requirements by Visa Types
Depending on what type of Indonesian visa you apply for, there are going to be additional documents required for the application. If you’re applying for a long-stay visa, such as a work or study visa, you will need a sponsor in Indonesia to help you get authorization from the Immigration Department there. You will have to send your sponsor all the necessary documents for the application. See the Indonesia visa requirements by the purpose of travel below:
Indonesian visas for long-term purposes are usually applied for in Indonesia, and you only have to pick up the visa or submit additional documents to the Indonesian Embassy in your country. This is why you need a sponsor.
Indonesia Visa Requirements by Country
When it comes to Indonesia visas, citizens of a large list of countries do not need a visa at all – at least not for short-term, tourism purposes. If you are from one of the countries in this list, then you can travel to Indonesia visa-free for up to 30 days. You only have to present your passport and ticket to the immigration officers at the entry-point.
If you are eligible for an Indonesia Visa on Arrival, then, as the name suggests, you can simply get the visa at the airport in Indonesia with fewer requirements:
Your passport.
An onward or return flight ticket.
The Visa on Arrival fee.