Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago — over 17,000 islands stretching 5,000 km between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, home to 277 million people making it the fourth most populous country on earth, with an astonishing diversity of cultures, languages (over 700) and religions. Jakarta on Java is the capital (the designated new capital, Nusantara, lies on Borneo). Bali — the “Island of the Gods” — is the only Hindu-majority island in the world's largest Muslim-majority country.
Also required: digital arrival card
Indonesia Visa & Entry System
Indonesia offers several visa options. Citizens of ASEAN countries and a few others enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days (not extendable). Most Western nationalities — including United States, United Kingdom, EU countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at major international airports and seaports for tourism, valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days, for a fee payable in cash or card — confirm the current amount before travel. The Tourist e-Visa, applied for online before travel at evisa.imigrasi.go.id, offers greater flexibility — 60 days initially, extendable up to 4 times for 30 days each (maximum 6 months); check the current designation for this visa category on the official portal, as Indonesia's visa index codes are periodically renamed. For long-term stays, the Second Home Visa allows retirees and digital nomads to stay up to 5 years with proof of income or assets above a published threshold. The KITAS temporary residence permit covers work, study, family reunification, investment and retirement — requiring an employer or sponsor and applied for after entry with the correct visa. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank pages. Immigration requires proof of onward or return travel.
Visa types
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
For tourism, family visits, social and cultural activities for 90+ eligible nationalities including US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada. Available at all major international airports (Jakarta/Soekarno-Hatta, Bali/Ngurah Rai, Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta) and designated seaports — check whether your specific entry point offers VOA before arriving at a minor port. A fee applies, payable in cash or card — confirm the current amount before travel.
Visa-Free Entry
For ASEAN nationals and select countries for short tourism visits. Free of charge. NOT extendable — if you may need more than 30 days, use the VOA instead.
Tourist e-Visa
More flexible option for tourism, business or visiting family. Applied for online before travel at evisa.imigrasi.go.id — check the official portal for the current visa index designation. Especially suited for stays beyond 30 days or when a longer stay is planned from the outset.
Second Home Visa
For long-term stays: retirees (minimum age 55), digital nomads, remote workers and high-net-worth individuals. Requires proof of income or assets above a published minimum threshold, held in an Indonesian bank account or equivalent — confirm the current amount. Allows multiple entries and exits.
Business Visa
For business activities without local employment: meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, market research. Invitation letter from an Indonesian company recommended.
KITAS (Temporary Residence Permit)
Temporary residence permit for work, study, family reunification, investment or retirement in Indonesia. Applied for at immigration after entry with the correct visa. Requires employer or sponsor.
Guides
Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands spanning the Hindu temples of Bali, the orangutans of Borneo, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, the Komodo dragons, the waters of Raja Ampat and the volcanoes of Java. Bali dominates the headlines and earns it, but it's only one island among many: Java holds the cultural heartland, Komodo and Flores reveal an older, less-visited Indonesia, and Sumatra offers orangutans and the world's largest volcanic lake. Costs across the country remain notably low relative to comparable destinations.
Indonesia travel guide →
The full guide — Bali's temples, the twin monuments, the volcano logic, the reef and the transfer-budget route.
Money in Indonesia →
Rupiah, the zeroes and ATM strategy — the practical money guide.
Eating in Indonesia →
Every island its own kitchen — rendang's slow logic, sambal's grammar and the warung as the real restaurant.
Getting around Indonesia →
Island-hopping's real math — flights as buses, ferries where they make sense, and Grab's role on land.
Health & safety in Indonesia →
Motorbike risk stated plainly, stomach and dengue basics, volcano-advisory reality and temple conduct.
Cities & planning
Airports
Plan your trip
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Regions
Embassies & missions
- AustraliaDenpasar · Surabaya · Jakarta
- AustriaJakarta · Bandung · Surabaya · Yogyakarta
- CanadaJakarta
- FranceJakarta
- GermanyJakarta · Makassar · Medan · Denpasar +1
- GuatemalaJakarta
- ItalyJakarta
- NetherlandsJakarta
- Saudi ArabiaJakarta
- South KoreaJakarta
- SpainJakarta
- SwitzerlandJakarta
- United KingdomDenpasar · Jakarta
- United StatesDenpasar · Surabaya · Medan · Jakarta
Accredited missions for Indonesia
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Most Western nationalities — including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for 30 days at major airports and seaports, extendable once for another 30 days. ASEAN citizens and a few others get free visa-free entry for up to 30 days, non-extendable.
What's the difference between the VOA and the e-visa?
The VOA is paid in cash or card on arrival and covers 30 days extendable to 60. The Tourist e-Visa, applied for online before travel, starts at 60 days and can be extended up to four times for 30 days each, for a maximum of 6 months — better suited to longer or open-ended trips.
How many days do I need for Bali alone?
A week covers Ubud, the Uluwatu coast and one of the Nusa islands without rushing. Ten days to two weeks lets you add a volcano sunrise (Bromo or Ijen) or a Gili Islands stop.
Is Bali representative of the rest of Indonesia?
Not really — Bali is the only Hindu-majority island in the world's largest Muslim-majority country, and it's far more developed and touristy than most of the archipelago. Java, Sumatra, Flores and Raja Ampat offer a very different, less crowded experience.
What should I know about diving in Raja Ampat or Komodo?
Both sit within the Coral Triangle, the world's most biodiverse marine region. Komodo trips run from Labuan Bajo (1-3 days), while Raja Ampat requires more logistics to reach but rewards with over 1,500 fish species and pristine reef.
Is Indonesia budget-friendly?
Very much so outside upmarket Bali resorts — warung meals and guesthouse stays are notably affordable, and domestic flights between islands are cheap and frequent, making island-hopping accessible even on a modest budget.
Planning a trip to Indonesia? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.
Also required: digital arrival card
This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.