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:
| Afghanistan | Cameroon | Central African Republic |
| Colombia | Congo | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Djibouti | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea |
| Ethiopia | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
| Iran | Iraq | Israel |
| Kosovo | Liberia | Micronesia |
| Montenegro | Niger | Nigeria |
| North Korea | Sierra Leone | Somalia |
| South Sudan | Sudan | Syria |
| Yemen |
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 Work Visa
- Indonesia Student Visa
- Indonesia Family Visa
- Indonesia Retirement 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:
| Albania | Algeria | Andorra |
| Angola | Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina |
| Armenia | Australia | Austria |
| Azerbaijan | Bahamas | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Barbados | Belarus |
| Belgium | Belize | Benin |
| Bhutan | Bolivia | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Botswana | Brazil | Brunei |
| Bulgaria | Burkina Faso | Burundi |
| Cambodia | Canada | Cape Verde |
| Chad | Chile | China |
| Commonwealth of Dominica | Comoros | Costa Rica |
| Cote D’Ivoire | Croatia | Cuba |
| Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt |
| El Salvador | England | Estonia |
| Fiji | Finland | France |
| Gabon | The Gambia | Georgia |
| Germany | Ghana | Greece |
| Grenada | Guatemala | Guyana |
| Haiti | Honduras | Hong Kong SAR |
| Hungary | Iceland | India |
| Ireland | Italy | Jamaica |
| Japan | Jordan | Kazakhstan |
| Kenya | Kiribati | Kuwait |
| Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Latvia |
| Lebanon | Lesotho | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Macau SAR |
| Macedonia | Madagascar | Malawi |
| Malaysia | Maldives | Mali |
| Malta | Marshall Islands | Mauritania |
| Mauritius | Mexico | Moldova |
| Monaco | Mongolia | Morocco |
| Mozambique | Myanmar | Namibia |
| Nauru | Nepal | Netherlands |
| New Zealand | Nicaragua | Norway |
| Oman | Palau | Palestine |
| Panama | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay |
| Peru | Philippines | Poland |
| Portugal | Puerto Rico | Qatar |
| Romania | Russia | Rwanda |
| Samoa | San Marino | Sao Tome and Principe |
| Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Serbia |
| Seychelles | Singapore | Slovakia |
| Slovenia | Solomon Island | South Africa |
| South Korea | Spain | Sri Lanka |
| St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent and Grenadines |
| Suriname | Swaziland | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Taiwan | Tajikistan |
| Tanzania | Thailand | Timor-Leste |
| Togo | Tonga | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Tunisia | Turkey | Turkmenistan |
| Tuvalu | Uganda | Ukraine |
| United Arab Emirates | Uruguay | USA |
| Uzbekistan | Vanuatu | Vatican City |
| Venezuela | Vietnam | Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |