🪪Visa Guide Indonesia

Visa Guide for Indonesia: What You Need to Know (2025 Update)

Planning a trip to Indonesia? Whether you’re heading to Bali, Sumatra, or exploring the lesser-known islands, navigating Indonesia’s visa rules can feel like stepping into a jungle of regulations, exceptions, and ever-changing updates. Add to that some technical issues on the official website and different experiences shared by travelers, and it’s no wonder many feel confused.

To help you out, we’ve put together a clear guide through the Indonesian visa maze.

General Requirements

Before we dive into visa types, here’s the one absolute must:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry.

And while officially you need a return or onward ticket, not everyone is asked to show it. Still, to avoid trouble at check-in or immigration, it’s best to have one ready.

Visa Options for Travelers

1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – 30 Days • ~27€ (500,000 IDR)

This is the classic option, available at most international airports in Indonesia.

• How it works: You get it directly at the airport upon arrival.

• Payment:

  • In Bali, you can usually pay by credit card.

  • In Jakarta, there’s an ATM near the visa counter.

  • At other airports, it’s safer to carry 35 USD in cash (preferably exact change).

  • Euro payments are not officially accepted.

• Extension: You can extend it once for another 30 days (500,000 IDR).

  • Important (since June 1, 2025): No more online extensions! You must go to the local immigration office in person.

  • You’ll need to apply and pay online first, then show up at your assigned immigration office for a biometric photo and final approval.

• Maximum stay: 60 days total.

2. E-Visa on Arrival (E-VOA) – 30 Days • ~27€ (500,000 IDR)

Introduced in 2023, this is the digital version of the VOA.

• How it works: Apply online before your trip on the official immigration website: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id

• Requirements:

  • Passport scan

  • Digital passport photo

  • Proof of onward ticket

• Processing time: Usually 4 business days, though approvals can come much faster.

• Advantages:

  • Faster entry (some airports even have auto-gates for E-Visas).

  • You pay online by card, no need for cash.

• Limitations:

  • Only valid at certain entry points (Jakarta, Denpasar/Bali, Lombok, Medan confirmed).

  • Website often suffers from technical glitches.

• Extension: Same rules as the VOA – you must now go to immigration in person.

• Maximum stay: 60 days total.

3. Tourist Visa 60 Days (C1 Visa) – 60 Days • ~54€ (1,000,000 IDR)

For those who already know they’ll stay longer than a month, this can be a smarter option and what we did!

• How it works: Apply online before arrival: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id

• Cost: 1,000,000 IDR (~55€).

• Requirements:

  • Passport scan

  • Passport photo

  • Bank statement showing at least 2,000 USD in the last three months

• Processing time: About 5 business days.

• Advantages:

  • No onward ticket required.

  • Can be extended twice, each time for 60 days (~115€ per extension).

  • Total possible stay: 180 days without leaving Indonesia.

• Drawbacks:

  • You must visit immigration in person for extensions.

  • The website can be unreliable – many find it works best with a Gmail account and Google Chrome.

Which Visa Should You Choose?

• Short trip (up to 30 days): VOA or E-VOA is easiest.

• Around 1–2 months: VOA with extension or E-VOA with extension.

• Longer stay (2–6 months): 60-Day Tourist Visa is your best bet.

Final Tips

• Always double-check the latest updates before you fly – Indonesian visa rules change frequently.

• Bring patience if you need to extend your visa; waiting times at immigration offices can be long.

• Keep multiple copies (digital & printed) of your documents like flight tickets, passport scans, and photos.

With the right visa in hand, you’ll be free to focus on what really matters: chasing waterfalls, climbing volcanoes, and enjoying the endless beaches of Indonesia. 🌴✨