Visas for Indonesia

Before coming to Indonesia you need to know main things about vaccines and visas. Here I will try to share main information about visas for Indonesia.

After making some research I found out that in different countries, Indonesian embassies have a bit different rules for visas. Before starting making visa, first of all you need to contact Indonesian embassy in your country to get information concrete for your country citizens (or nearest country that is responsible to make visas for your country citizens. For example Indonesian embassy in Denmark responsible as well for visas issue for Lithuanians).

Notice: all information prepared according 12 2017 news.

Visa types, requirements and extension

Free Visa for short visit (BVKS)
Visa-free is 30 days permission to stay in Indonesia. The list of countries whose citizens can get such visa.
Visitors with the visa-free facility will be able to proceed directly to the immigration clearance counter after deplaning.

Requirements:

  • Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months, from the date of arrival to Indonesia
  • Onward or return tickets must be shown on arrival

Extension
The visa free facility does not allow the change into other permits or extension.

Visa on arrival (VOA)
Visa on arrival can be obtained directly when you are landed at major Indonesian entry points.
Visa on arrival is given to a person who has come with holiday/leisure, business or social visit purposes in Indonesia. The maximum length of stay is 30 days.
The list of countries whose citizens can have Visa on arrival.

Arrival and departure card. Since April 1st 2015 it is not necessary anymore to fill the form and to hand it over to the immigration officer at the immigration desk.  But you should keep your boarding pass and show it to the immigration officer.

Requirements:

  • Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months, from the date of arrival to Indonesia
  • Return ticket is compulsory
  • Need to pay visa fee (preferably in cash) – 35 USD

The immigration officer at the port of entry may ask the passenger to produce any necessary documents (such as hotel reservation and proof of finance).

Extension
Can be extended once for extra 30 days at the Immigration office in Indonesia.
But, to apply for this type of visa, it is better to inform the immigration officers of your intentions to renew at the time of getting your visa on arrival.
To extend visa costs an additional 35 USD.

Overstay visitors incur a penalty of 20 USD per day for under 60 days over-stay. More than 60 days over-stay may incur a 5 year prison sentence or a fine of 25 000 000 Rp (~1 879 USD).

Visa before arriving
Citizens of other countries not on the visa on arrival or visa free lists will be required to apply for a visa overseas – in their home country – before entering Indonesia. Citizens of any country wishing to stay more than 30 days must also apply for an appropriate visa (cultural visit or business visit) at their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before traveling to Indonesia.

Nationals of San Marino require visa at all times including for transit. Otherwise other nationalities can transit through Indonesian airports for up to 8 hours.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Iraq, Israel, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, and Somalia require an approval from Immigration Office in Indonesia before travelling for Business, Tourist and Social Visits purposes. This policy is called “Indonesian Calling Visa”.

Temporary stay visa
This type of visa is issued to an applicant:
  • setting up or expanding an investment which involves a substantial amount of capital in Indonesia;
  • invited to work for his/her professional expertise by the Indonesian government, private company or Non-Governmental Organization;
  • joining Indonesian parents/ parents having the Indonesian Temporary or Permanent Resident Card;
  • joining Indonesian husband/ spouse having the Indonesian Temporary or Permanent Resident Card;
  • ex Indonesian citizens to repatriate to Indonesia.

To apply for this type of visa, an applicant has to have a bona fide Indonesian sponsor living in Indonesia. Indonesian sponsor will set up the administratively paper works to the Indonesian Labor Department and Immigration office.

If the application is approved, the Immigration office will send an approval to the Indonesian Mission located closely to the applicant country of residence.

Requirements:

  • Valid passport (18 months beyond the entry date)
  • Approval from the Immigration Director General
  • 2 visa application forms with 2 pictures
  • Curriculum Vitae form
  • A good of conduct letter from the nearby police office
  • A certified copy of university diploma/certificate of professional teacher
  • Copy of itinerary/tickets
  • Proof of visa payment

Temporary Stay Visa is issued for a single entry. After his/her arrival in Indonesia, the visa holder is required to contact the nearby Immigration office sooner to apply for a Temporary Stay Card. A Temporary Stay Card holder requires exit-reentry permit anytime he/she’ll leave and re-enter Indonesia.

Single entry visa (official, business, social-cultural, vacation)
A single entry visa is issued for those traveling to Indonesia for official visit (diplomatic/service), business trip, social-cultural or vacation (holiday/tourist). In some places it can be named separately “Tourist visa”, “Social-cultural visa”, “Business visa”.
As well can be made “Collective visit visa” (for a group from 5 to 25 people) and “Multiple business visit visa” (this visa is issued to an applicant who frequently makes business trips to Indonesia within 1 year).

A single entry visa is valid for 2 months from the date of issuance

Requirements:

  • Need to fill in the visa application form
  • Copy of itinerary ticket
  • Support letter/letter from company in your country (for Business trip)
  • Invitation from family/company/counterpart in Indonesia (for Social-cultural visit) (here are 2 examples)
  • Proof of visa payment
  • Original Passport (should be valid 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia)
  • 2 recent photographs
  • Copy of identification card

Extension
Social-cultural visa and Tourist visa allow to extend 4 times (each time for 1 month).
Visa can be extended in Indonesia. Extension of Business and Social-Cultural visas can be obtained at the Directorate General of Immigration. While the extension of Diplomatic and Service visa will be done through Directorate for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Diplomatic visa
Diplomatic visa is granted to foreign nationals holding Diplomatic passport who visit Indonesia for diplomatic assignments. Particular assignment shall obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Requirements:

  • Need to fill in the visa application form
  • Should have Diplomatic Note from Ministry of Foreign Affairs from your country
  • Original Diplomatic Passport (should be valid 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia)
  • 2 recent photographs

Service visa
Service visa is granted to foreign nationals holding Service or Official Passport who visit Indonesia for official assignments. Particular assignment shall obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Requirements:

  • Need to fill in the visa application form
  • Should have Diplomatic Note from Ministry of Foreign Affairs from your country
  • Invitation letter from counterpart in Indonesia
  • Original Service or Official Passport (should be valid 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia)
  • 2 recent photographs

Transit visa
Foreign nationals wishes to make stop over in Indonesian territory before continuing their trip to another country or to their home country, to join or work on a transport vehicle that will continue its trip to another country, will need Transit Visa, allowing to stay for 14 days during 30 days period.

Requirements:

  • Need to fill in the visa application form
  • Should have copy of itinerary ticket
  • For those joining a transport vehicle must provide copy of work contract
  • Invitation letter from counterpart in Indonesia
  • Proof of visa payment
  • Original Service or Official Passport (should be valid 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia)
  • 2 recent photographs

Non-ordinary passports
Holders of non-ordinary passports issued by the following countries are allowed to visit Indonesia without a visa:
(D — diplomatic passports; O — official passports; S — service passports; Sp — special passports)

Afghanistan D S
Argentina D O
Austria D S
Azerbaijan D S
Bangladesh D O
Belarus D O
Bosnia and Herzegovina D S
Brazil D O
Bulgaria D S
China D S
Colombia D O S
Croatia D S
Cuba D O
Ecuador D O Sp
France D S
Georgia D S
Hungary D S
India D O
Iran D S
Kazakhstan D S
Kyrgyzstan D S
Macedonia D O
Mexico D O
Moldova D O S
Mongolia D O
Nicaragua D O S
North Korea D O S
Pakistan D O
Paraguay D O
Poland D S
Portugal D S Sp
Russia D S
Slovakia D S
Slovenia D S
South Korea D O
Sri Lanka D O
Suriname D S
Switzerland D S
Timor-Leste D O S
Tunisia D Sp
Turkey D S Sp
United Arab Emirates D S
Uruguay D O
Venezuela D S

Additional information:
  • There are restricted regions in Indonesia. The 4 regions are: Maluku, Poso, and Irian Jaya/West Papua. Applicants seeking to visit the restricted regions must obtain special authorization from Indonesian authorities.
  • To avoid the long wait at airports to apply for a visa on arrival, and if you want to stay for 60 days, you can apply for a Visit visa at the Indonesian consular office in your home country. The consular office at Indonesian embassies (outside of Indonesia) can issue a 60-day Visit visa.
  • Beware of the day counting trap! The way the immigration officials’ count stay period is: the day of arrival counts as day one. The day of departure also counts. For example you have 30-days visa, you arrive on the 1st day, you must leave on the 30th day (not the 31st or the first of the next month). Even if you leave 5 min. after midnight, it will be counted as a full new day. If you overstay you will have to pay a penalty of 200 000 Rp per day. Up to 3 days is usually no problem, you will simply pay the fee at the immigration counter.
  • Nothing to declare? You will still be given a tax card (if not, pick one in the arrival hall). Just tick everywhere “no” unless you need to declare something (it’s not allowed to bring in cash of more than 10 000 USD). Officers will collect the card when you exit through customs.
  • More information about KITAS and other permits cards in Indonesia, you can find here.

Visa extension in Yogyakarta

If you have visa on arrival and want to extend it, here you will find practical information how to do that in Yogyakarta city. About other visas extension procedure I don’t know yet. Like will make it later, so will share information later as well.

Note that, the immigration office asks that all visitors dress “properly” meaning covered shoulders and knees.

Where is Immigration office

Immigration officeImmigration office in Yogyakarta located beside Yogyakarta International Adisucipto airport
JL. Solo KM.10 PO BOX 19 YKAP

Opening hours:
Mon – Thur (8:00-12:00) – (13:00 -14:00), Friday (8:30-11:30) – (13:00 -14:00)
(also check that the days you want to go is not an Indonesian holiday. Then all extension process might take longer).

How to reach immigration office
Coming from the airport:
  • Exiting the airport, turn left and walk until you come to the parking are.
  • Turn right, walking through the parking are until you come the main street (Jl. Solo).
  • Turn left and the immigration office will be fairly immediately on your left.

Coming from downtown of Yogyakarta:

  • Take bus 1A on the TransYogya public bus system from Jl. Malioboro (3 000 Rp). It takes ~1 hour each way.
  • The bus will drop you off in front of the airport (the last stop).
  • To get from airport to office follow the instructions above.
  • You can also take a “becak” (~30-40,000 Rp, you’ll need to haggle!) or taxi (~50-60,000 Rp) which will get you there faster.

What you need to have with you
You need to have such documents:
  • Passport
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of Indonesian Visa (make sure stamp date is visible)
  • Exit ticket (yeah, you will need to show it)
  • Copy of exit ticket
  • Application for Visa extension form (they’ll give you this at the office)
  • 350 000 Rp fee for extension

How the extension process looks like
  • If possible arrive with all documents as early as you can in the morning.
  • In the front desk at the immigration office will provide you a file folder with visa extension form.
  • Fill out the application form and put inside all your documents. The immigration officials should tell you to come back in 2 days.
  • If possible arrive after 2 days as early as you can (better before 10:00 am).
  • Pay the 355 000 Rp fee, get your picture and fingerprints taken.
  • Next day pick up your passport with new visa.

Try to understand the process :D


Visa extension in Bali


Visa making outside Indonesia

If you want to stay in Indonesia longer than your visa valid and you already made all possible extensions, you must leave the country and re-enter with a new visa.
People commonly fly to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore to make new visa. There is no stipulation on the time you must stay outside Indonesia, in fact, you can return the same day if you want and be issued a new visa upon your arrival in Indonesia.

I was making my “Tourist visa” for 60 days in Penang island, Malaysia. Here is practical information from my experience.

If you have new information, feel free to share it in comments. Thank you :)

Some information used from internet sources.

Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

What to do before going to Indonesia
What to take before coming to Indonesia
Vaccinations

 



What can you do with 1 euro in Indonesia

Some people, when they arrive to Indonesia, feel like millionaires. Here, everything is counted by thousands and millions. In Indonesia there are only 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 thousands banknote and 100, 200, 500, 1 000 coins. Paradox but more than 57% of all Indonesian inhibits earn till 1,78 EUR per day.

Money are using not only for shopping
Indonesians cure fever with metal coins. They scratch the back with coins for wind get out from the body. Indonesians believe that wind, makes them get fever and metal coins attracts bad spirits. This “procedure” (others say it “massage”) called “kerok”.

As well, like probably in many countries, money is given like presents.

In the end of Ramadhan, during Idul-Fitri, when relatives visiting relatives, if in the family there are any kids – guests brings colorful envelopment with money inside (usually 10 000 Rp – ~0,69 EUR) for kids. Even before this celebration banks specially is changing big amount of cash to smaller. Nobody surprised when kids, during Idul-Fitri, comes to guests and showing their wallets (asking money).

In the traditional Muslim weddings you rare will see guests with flowers or presents. Almost everyone brings envelopment with money. When you come, first of all you need to “register” in guest book and beside this book is always stands the box to put the money. There are not written rules how much you need to put, but it’s good gesture if one person brings at least 50 000 Rp (~3,43 EUR).

Before Christmas, Catholics in Indonesia are used to give money for kids like a present. The amount is ~20 000 Rp (1,37 EUR). It should be new banknote in beautiful envelopment. Some street sellers, especially for Christmas sells new banknote already packed. Of course for this “service” you need to pay extra ~2 000–5 000 Rp (0,14–0,34 EUR).

Different prices in different cities and for different people
For example, in Yogyakarta prices are ~1,5 times less than in Jakarta or Bali island.
As well different prices sellers gives for local people and for foreigners. Even if you already know how to barge in Indonesian language, still usually the final sum will be a bit bigger than for locals. Some Indonesians even don’t hide, that foreigners they see like walking ATM’s, so they try to take as much as possible cash from them :).

What can you do with 1 euro in Indonesia?
So what is possible to buy for 1 EUR in Yogyakarta city? Like EUR currency all the time changing let’s take average -1 EUR=14 500 Rp.

  • Eat food in local restaurant “Rumah makan” (where is menu from which you can choose).
    1 portion simple rise (“nasi putih”), fried mushrooms (“jamur goreng”), sambal sause with guava natural juice – 13 500 Rp (0,93 EUR).
  • Have a dish in street restaurant “Warung makan” (food made and putted in the window, there are no menu, you take what is putted)
    1 portion simple rice, vegetables (“sayur”), 2 balls of smash potatoes (“perkedel”), 1 chicken thigh in sweet suce (“ayam bakar”) and natural guava juice – 14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR).
  • Eat in street restaurant (where you see how food is preparing for you)
    1 portion fried rise (“nasi goreng” – called national Indonesian dish) with chicken scrap, omelet, several vegetables and cold drink  “es jeruk” – 11 000 Rp (0,76 EUR).
  • Take away food from street vendors “kaki-lima”.
    1 portion rice cooked in coconut oil (“nasi uduk”), 2 peace “tempeh” and 2 peace of “tahu” – 7 000 Rp (0,48 EUR).

It’s really possible to find where to eat cheaper but I don’t go to places where I see that food is made and kept not in the best conditions :)

If you don’t have big requirements for food and don’t eat big portions, per day in Yogyakarta is possible to eat 3 times for 24 000 Rp (1,65 EUR): for breakfast instant coffee and 4 coffee cake; for lunch – rice, vegetables, chicken, simple drink; for dinner – rice, “tahu” and “tempeh”.

What possible to buy for 1 EUR in Surabaya city? (Thank you Abriani Ori Ratnasari for information)
1 EUR  Abriani calculate like 15 000 Rp. Here is the list what you can do with 1 EUR:

  • Buy food in KFC “goceng package”. You can choose: ice cream, soup, love float, melon float, grape float, burger and others.
  • Buy food: rice, chicken and ice tea – 5 000 Rp (0,33 EUR)
  • Buy books
  • Buy pensil case
  • Buy ticket for public transportation like “angkot” or bus – it’s only 5 000 Rp (0,33 EUR) one way, for 1 person
  • Buy 3 underwear units (for girls)

More things what can you do with 1 euro

  • Eat sandwich with cobra meat– 13 000 Rp (0,89 EUR).
  • Order 2 natural juice in local restaurant – 10 000-14 000 Rp (0,69-0,96 EUR).
  • Try Robusta coffee from Flores island in local restaurant– 10 000 Rp (0,69 EUR).
  • In small shop buy 13 packages of instant coffee – 13 000 Rp (0,89 EUR).
  • In small shop buy 10 packages of instant noodles (Indonesians just love this ”dish”)– ~14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR).
  • Buy ~ 1,2 kilo simple rice – ~14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR).
  • In big supermarket buy “Coca cola” 1,5 l – 13 000 Rp (0,89 EUR). Or in small shop buy 3 small bottles (425 ml) – 12 000 Rp (0,82 EUR).
  • Buy 4 bottles of water in not touristic are (500 ml) – 12 000 Rp (0,82 EUR).
  • Buy 1 kilo tomatoes and cucumber in local market – 14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR) (locals can buy cheaper ;)).
  • Buy 1-2 kilo of seasonal fruits (banana, mango…) – 7 000-13 000 Rp (0,48-0,96 EUR).
  • In small shop buy food „package“ – 2 packages of instat coffee, pie, jam – 13 500 Rp (0,93 EUR) or 0,5 kilo of rice, small package of sauce and 2 pieces of “tahu” and “tempeh” – 13 500 Rp (0,93 EUR).
  • Put the fuel almost 2 l in petrol station – 14 800 Rp (1,02 EUR).
  • Buy bus ticket from Yogyakarta to Magelang city – 13 000 Rp (0,89 EUR).
  • With “becak” go short distance (that takes no longer than 10 min.) – 10 000 Rp (0,69 EUR).
  • Pay for motorbike parking 7-14 times – 14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR). The price depends where you want to park – touristic places more expensive.
  • Go with taxi ~2-4 km – 12 000-14 400 Rp (0,82-0,99 EUR).
  • Buy local cigarettes 1-2 (with „kretek“) – 8 000-14 000 Rp (0,55-0,96 EUR).
  • Buy small souvenirs in Malioboro street, for example T-shirt– 13 000 Rp (0,89 EUR)
  • Visit 1 person, 1 time Sultan palace “Kraton” – 13 500 Rp (0,93 EUR) or Water castle “Taman sari” – 14 000 Rp (0,96 EUR).
  • Put to mobile “pulsa”– 11 000 Rp (0,76 EUR).
  • Buy cleaning stuff for home, for example in small shop liquid for cleaning the floor – 9 700 Rp (0,67 EUR).
  • Buy hygienic stuff (in small shop): tooth paste, soap, wet napkins – 13 700 Rp (0,94 EUR).
  • Take laundry service for ~5,5 kilos – 13 750 Rp (0,94 EUR).
  • Buy 1 pair of slippers – 12 000 Rp (0,82 EUR).

And some other things possible to do with 1 EUR ;).

Per day, if not spread out the money, possible to live for ~ 30 000 Rp (2,06 EUR). That’s why mostly people use banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 thousand. Those banknotes are mostly dirty and damage. Sometimes I see when locals get new banknote of 2 000 Rp, they are smiling while looking at them, because not many new banknotes you can see of such amount.

As well, sometimes it’s happens (especially in small shop) when they don’t have back change, they give back small candies (I really don’t like it). But when I tried once in the same shop pay with the same candies – I didn’t manage :D

What you managed to buy with 1 euro in Indonesia?


Useful? Great! :) You might also like these:

How to save some money before going to Indonesia
How much cost live in Yogyakarta
How to save money in Indonesia

 



 

How to prepare before and during rainy season in Indonesia

Rainy season in Indonesia (that usually takes ~6 months) can influence your health condition and damage your belongings. If you are not used to such weather condition you should be prepared to it. What to do during rainy season? Here are my recommendations how to “survive” during rainy season.

What to do before rainy season or when the first rain comes

Place of stay

  • Liking parts: check if there is any liking parts through the roof, wall. Repair/cover it immediately (can ask your owner for help)
  • Gutter: check if the place gutter is clean because if the water during the rain won’t be able to go properly, it will start goes inside your place through walls, windows, and roof.
  • Windows, doors: when you are leaving the place, check your windows and doors. Be sure they close properly. During a tropical rain storm the wind blows the rain sideways and water can come in these cracks.
  • Bamboo roof: if you have such – cover properly the roof from inside.

Discount for travel insurance

Humidity and mushrooms

Because of big humid the mushrooms can damage your clothes, electrical devices, can affect your health condition.

  • Sun: if will be any sun, take out all your stuff to get dry in sun as often as possible (mattress, blankets, pillows, other textile and etc.)
  • Clothes: keep the shoes that you don’t wear in the plastic bags, but often ventilate them in the sun. As well ventilate your clothes often.
  • Electric device: turn on them daily. During the trip, if you will leave anything at home, keep it in plastic boxes.
  • Spaces: ventilate it daily; clean once per week the floor and others places where mushrooms can start to grove because of humid.
  • Furniture: buy special liquid and cover with it your furniture. That prevents wooden furniture from mushrooms and insects that eat wood. Also as often as possible take the furniture outside for a sun.
  • Cleaning equipment: keep it all the time clean, don’t leave in the bathroom.
  • Humidity collector: use special humid collector that possible to buy in bigger supermarkets and often take out collected water from there. As well them are very good for dry season – like humidity level in Indonesia is very high.
  • Fan: if you have it – use daily, to dry your sleeping place or other spaces.

Mosquitoes

  • Body treatment: during rainy season usually there are more mosquitoes and those who can give you Dengue fever (every 5 years in Indonesia exist outbreak of Dengue fever, this year (2015) was the 5th year, so many people got it). So use more often the spry from mosquitoes or other products on your skin.
  • Home implements: use implements at home to prevent the mosquitoes. For example mosquitoes net, electrical devices with lavender smell.
  • Clothes: don’t leave too many clothes hanging in the room, like mosquitoes will hide there. As well somehow black color clothes attract them more.
  • Food: drink more guava fruits. It helps your immunity system be stronger against Dengue fever.

Health

  • Vitamins: drink more vitamin C (you can buy it in the shops, pharmacy). If you have – vitamins that makes your immunity system stronger.
  • Food: drink more warm drinks, if it’s possible with lemon. Eat more soups and warm dishes. Eat properly food and “normal” dose.
  • Clothes: wear clothes that makes you stay warm, cover your neck with scarf. If in the place of staying the floor is from ceramic – wear socks or slippers. If you will get wet, try as soon as possible to change the clothes.
  • During the night: make sure that you will sleep warm (wear warm clothes, cover yourself with warm blanket and etc.)
  • Places: don’t stay in places where windy, drought is.

Be patient waiting for the dry season and take care of yourself, your place and stuff during rainy season :).

If you will be unlucky and will get sick, you can read where to get help –  health institutions in Yogyakarta.

 

Have more tips what to do during rainy season? Please share :)