Indonesia - Travel Preparation

Determine what type of visa you need to get. There are different types of visas, including tourist, student, business and others. Indonesian immigration officials enforce stringent restrictions on visa; and participating in activities that are outside the boundaries of your visa can get you thrown in prison for up to 5 years.

Visit the Indonesian Embassy in WashingtonD.C. or an Indonesian Consulate to apply. Alternatively, you can download the visa application and apply through the mail.

Provide your passport, original travel itinerary, passport photos, visa application, visa fee, a recent bank statement, a letter of employment and a self-addressed stamped envelope when you apply for a visa through the mail.

Apply for a tourist visa when you arrive in Indonesia. There are visa application centers at most of the major Indonesian airports and a few seaports. These visas are valid for either 7 days or 30 days, and you typically only need your passport and onward/return ticket as documents.

Keep your passport and visa with you safe as you travel in Indonesia to avoid problems with thieves or immigration authorities.

Visa

SHORT VISIT TOURISTS VISA ISSUED ON ARRIVAL

Citizens from the following countries are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). This visa can be applied for after you have landed at certain airports and seaports in Indonesia. The Visa on Arrival can not be converted or extended to obtain an immigration permit. The maximum stay permitted by the visa on arrival is 30 days.

Argentina	Australia	Austria	Algeria	Bahrain	Belgium
Brazil	Bulgaria	Czech Republic	Cambodia	Canada	China
Cyprus	Denmark	Egypt	Estonia	Fiji	Finland
France	Germany	Greece	Hungary	Iceland	India
Iran	Ireland	Italy	Japan	Kuwait	Laos
Latvia	Libya	Lithuania	Liechtenstein	Luxembourg	Maldives
Malta	Mexico	Monaco	Netherland	New Zealand	Norway
Oman	Panama	Poland	Portugal	Qatar	Romania
Russia	Saudi Arabia	SlovakRepublic	Slovenia	South Africa	South Korea
Spain	Surinam	Sweden	Switzerland	Taiwan, PRC	Tunisia
United Arab Emirates	United Kingdom	USA

Please be advised that’ Visa On Arrival ‘may o be extended only upon approval from the Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia in case of natural disaster, illness or accident, but cannot be transferred to another type of visa. Overstaying visitors incur to pay a penalty of US$20 per day/person (for under 60 days’ stay) whilst over 60 days’ stay will be a 5 (five) year prison sentence or a fine of IDR25.000.000 (local currency).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)

- Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months as from the date of entry into Indonesia.

- Onward or return tickets are compulsory.

- No compulsory vaccinations.

- Visitors must enter through the following airports or seaports in Indonesia.

VISA – FREE SHORT VISIT FOR TOURISTS

The following countries do not require a visa to enter Indonesia for a tourist visit of up to 30 (thirty) days:

Brunei Darussalam

Chile

Hong Kong SAR

Macao SAR

Malaysia

Morocco

Peru

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand and

Vietnam.

Please be advised that Visa-Free Short Visits may be extended only upon approval from the Minister of Justice and

Human Rights/Director General of Immigration of the Republic of Indonesia based on natural disaster, illness or

accident, but cannot be transferred to another type of visa. Overstay visitors incur to pay a penalty of US$20 per day

(for under 60 days’ stay) whilst over 60 days’ stay will be a 5 (five) year prison sentence or a fine of IDF25.000.000

(local currency).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA-FREE SHORT VISITS

- Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months as from the date of entry into Indonesia.

- Onward or return tickets are compulsory.

- No compulsory vaccinations.

- Visitors on Visa-Free Short Visits must enter and exit from certain specified airports and seaports in Indonesia to be ascertained from the tourists’ local Indonesian Mission in advance before buying air tickets.

SOCIAL/CULTURAL VISIT VISA

This visa is issued by the Indonesian Embassy to applicants, who are going to Indonesia for a social/cultural visit,

such as visiting relatives/friends; social organizations; exchange visits between educational institutions;

undertaking research and attending a training programme in Indonesia.

Two Types of entry:

• Single Entry

Maximum length of stay is 60 days.

Extensions can be applied for and obtained in Indonesia from the Immigration Authorities.

Approval from the Immigration Office in Indonesia is needed for applicants who wish to stay for longer than 60 days;

that must be applied for by the applicant’s sponsor/relative/friends who reside/base in Indonesia. Visa will

be issued by the Embassy only after receiving the authorization direct from the Immigration office in Indonesia.

A person granted a student, research or training visa is not permitted to take up employment, and may not remain in

Indonesia for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted.

• Multiple Entries need special permit from the Immigration Office in Indonesia.

Validity of visa will be three months from the date of issue.

To return the passport by post, a self addressed special delivery envelope should be provided.

Visa is issued within five to six working days from receipt of application provided all documents are in order.

Required documents which should be submitted are as follows:

- Passport (with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia);

- One completed visa application form;

- One coloured passport size photograph;

- Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover the cost of applicant's intended stay in Indonesia (Bank Statement dated less than a month with a minimum balance of £1,000.or traveler's cheques for equivalent amount;)

- Evidence of obligation in the applicant’s country of permanent residence (e.g. a letter from employer/ college/school, certifying the applicant’s intention to return after the visit to Indonesia);

- Written approval from the Immigration Office in Indonesia necessary should the duration of visit be more than 60 days.

Customs

Import regulations by Indonesian customs;

Imports:

Tobacco: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 100 grams of tobacco

Alcohol: 1 liter

Perfume: for personal use

Goods: valued USD 1000.

Export regulations by Indonesian customs

Prohibited

Exports:

Prohibited items are

Weapons, firearms and ammunition, non-prescribed drugs, narcotics, television sets, cordless telephones and other electronic equipment, fresh fruits, Chinese publications and medicines, pornography, and any commercial or merchandised goods as part of baggage (infringements will be charged Rp25,000 per piece).

Other information about Indonesian Customs

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. The countries and areas included in the yellow fever endemic zones are considered by Indonesia as infected areas. For a map of yellow fever endemic zones, see the Internet or consult your local Indonesian Mission.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Indonesia. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

Typhoid occurs. Poliomyelitis transmission has been interrupted in Indonesia.

Malaria risk exists throughout the year everywhere except in the main tourist resorts of Java and Bali, Jakarta municipality and other big cities where risk is only slight. The malignant form falciparum is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethane. The benign form vivax is reported to be resistant to chloroquine. The recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is mefloquine.

Food, drink: All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Amoebic and bacillary dysenteries occur. Hepatitis A and E occur and hepatitis B is highly endemic. Dengue fever, giardiasis, Japanese Encephalitis and Paratyphoid can occur. Tuberculosis and diphtheria vaccinations are sometimes recommended. Bilharzias (schistosomiasis) are present in central Sulawesi. Avoid swimming and paddling in river or sea water direct; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health care: Health insurance to include emergency repatriation cover is strongly advised. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities, but emergency services are generally inadequate outside major cities. Fees must be paid before leaving the hospital. Although medical costs are relatively cheap, drugs can be expensive.