Travel Information
Entry Points
VISAS
All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.
Visa-on-Arrival:
The Indonesian Government extends Visa on Arrival (VoA) to nationals of 63 countries which can be obtained at designated entry airports and sea ports. Visa-on-Arrival are valid for 30 days and are extendable with another 30 days to be applied at Immigration offices in Indonesia.
Please note that starting 26 January 2010, the 7-day Visa-on-Arrival has been discontinued.
Countries extended Visa-on-Arrival facility are:
1. Algeria, 2. Australia, 3.Argentina, 4. Austria, 5. Bahrain, 6. Belgium, 7. Brazil, 8. Bulgaria, 9. Cambodia, 10. Canada, 11. Cyprus, 12. Denmark, 13. Egypt, 14. Estonia, 15.Fiji, 16. Finland, 17.France, 18. Germany, 19.Greece 20.Hungary, 21.Iceland, 22.India, 23.Iran, 24. Ireland, 25.Italy, 26. Japan, 27.Kuwait, 28. Laos PDR, 29.Latvia, 30.Libya, 31. Lithuania, 32.Liechtenstein, 33. Luxemburg, 34. Malta, 35. Maldives, 36.Monaco, 37. Mexico, 38. New Zealand, 39. the Netherlands, 40. Norway, 41. Oman, 42. Panama, 43. The People’s Republic of China, 44.Poland, 45. Portugal, 46.Qatar, 47.Rumania, 48.Russia, 49.South Africa, 50.South Korea, 51.Switzerland, 52.Saudi Arabia, 53. South Africa, 54.Spain, 55.Suriname, 56.Sweden, 57.Slovakia, 58.Slovenia, 59.Taiwan, 60. Tunisia. 61.the United Arab Emirates, 62. the United Kingdom, 63. The United States of America.
Entry Ports Where Visa-on-Arrival May Be Issued are:
Airports:
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Authorized seaports are at Batam: Sekupang, Batuampar, Nongsa, Marina, and Teluk Senimba, Bandar Bintan, Talani Lagoi, Tanjung Balai Karimun, and Bandar Sri Udana Labon in the Riau archipelago, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang; Belawan port and Sibolga in North Sumatra, Yos Sudarso Tanjung Perak in Surabaya; Teluk Bayur of Padang; Tanjung Priok harbor at Jakarta; Padang Bai and Benoa ports in Bali; the port of Jayapura; Bitung; Tanjung Mas in Semarang, Central Java; Tenua and Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara, Pare-Pare and Soekarno Hatta port in South Sulawesi.
Free Tourist Visa
Free Tourist short stay visas for 30 days are extended to tourists from 12 countries, namely from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Equador, Morocco and Peru,
VISA Application at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates
Visitors from other countries must apply for visa at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their home country. In addition, the visa cannot be replaced with any other immigration letters. The visa shall then be administered by Visa Officer in the presence of the applicant concerned.
You may find information on Indonesia embassies and consulates contact details at the Ministry of Foreign Affair website on the following direct link: www.deplu.go.id
For further information on applying for visa to Indonesia, you may browse our FAQs.
Free entry visa is also provided to delegates registered in a conference that is officially convened. In addition, tourist visa can be obtained from every Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. You can visit Indonesia through certain means and gates, by air via Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Surabaya and Batam; by sea via Semarang, Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Tanjung Pinang and Kupang. Maximum stay in Indonesia is two months.
Airport Tax
An airport tax of Rp150,000 is levied by airports on departing passengers on international flights and Rp.25,000 for those on domestic routes.
Tipping
Most hotels add a 10% service charge to the bill on top of the 10% tax. In restaurants where service charge is not added, a tip of 5 to 10% on the bill will be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment.
Customs
Maximum items allowed by customs when you visit Indonesia:
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 100 grams of tobacco
- Reasonable amount of perfume per adult, meaning if you arrive drenched in perfume the customs probably will not mind you carrying loads of bottles.
- Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipments are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs.
- You are prohibited to carry:
- Firearms
- Narcotics drugs
- Pornography materials
- Chinese printing and medicines
- Transceivers and cordless telephone
- Films, pre-recorded video tapes, laser discs, VCDs, DVDs must be screened by Censor Board.
- Import or export of foreign currencies and travelers’ checks are allowed. However, the import and export of Indonesia currency, exceeding 100 million Rupiah is prohibited.
Further information on customs and taxes in Indonesia, log into www.beacukai.go.id
General Information
Timezones
Indonesia has three time zones—Western Indonesia Time which is GMT +7 (covering Sumatra, Java, Madura, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan), Central Indonesia Time which is GMT +8 (covering East and South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara) and the last is Eastern Indonesia Time which is GMT +9 (covering Maluku and Irian Jaya). The capital Jakarta is GMT + 7 or 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.
Office Hours
Office hours start from 8 AM to 4 PM, or 9 AM to 5 PM. Lunch break occurs between 12 noon to 1 PM. Usually offices are closed on Saturdays, including government offices. Government office hours start at 8 AM and end at 4 PM.
Banking Hours
Standard banking hours are from 8 AM to 3 PM from Monday to Friday. However several banks open their branches in hotels (and some in malls) longer than office hour, a few are open on Saturdays so you might want to check first. Jakarta has a number of international banks, even though you can also exchange currencies in some hotel cashiers and official money changers.
Currency
The Indonesia Rupiah is also called IDR. Information of daily exchange rate can be found in newspapers or from the net. Some Indonesia banks provide this on their websites. IDR and US$ are the most acceptable currencies. Most tourism resorts have money changer facilities. When you are traveling to remote areas it is advisable to exchange your money and clear your check. Credit cards are only acceptable in big hotels, restaurants, shops and traveling agencies.
Electricity
Electric power supply is 220 volts in all regions. So be careful with your 110-volt electronic equipment. The sockets will only fit with with two pins rounded-tip plugs (technically known as Type C, E, and F) or use adaptors. Most hotels and many restaurants in large cities provide internet connections or free WiFi.
Embassy of the Republic of Marshall Islands
Embassy of Mexico
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
Embassy of Mozambique
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
Royal Netherlands Embassy
New Zealand Embassy
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Indonesian Phrases
Bahasa Indonesia is relatively simple and by using a few phrases or sentences, you’ll be more appreciated and respected. You can find Indonesian phrase books in good book shops.
But these few pointers below can help. Try slipping a few of them in daily conversations and ask whether you get it right. It’ll be a great ice-breaker.
English |
Bahasa Indonesia |
| How do you do ? | Apa kabar? |
| Good Morning | Selamat Pagi |
| Good Afternoon | Selamat Siang |
| Goodbye | Selamat Tinggal |
| Fine | Baik |
| Welcome | Selamat Datang |
Personal Pronoun & Title |
|
| I | Saya |
| You | Kamu/ Anda |
| We | Kami |
| He/ She | Ia/ Dia (both are genderless) |
| They | Mereka |
| Mr. | Tuan |
| Miss | Nona |
| Mrs | Nyonya |
Questions |
|
| Can you help me? | Dapatkah Anda membantu/ menolong saya? |
| How do I get there? | Bagaimana cara untuk kesana? |
| How far? | Seberapa jauh? |
| How long will it make? | Seberapa lama? |
| How much (Price)? | Berapa harganya? |
| What is this/ that? | Apa ini/ itu? |
| What is your name? | Siapa nama Anda? |
| When? | Kapan? |
| Where? | Di mana? |
| Why? | Kenapa/ mengapa? |
Direction |
|
| Go up | Naik |
| Go down | Turun |
| Turn | Berputar |
| Right | Kanan |
| Left | Kiri |
| Front | Depan |
| Behind | Belakang |
| North | Utara |
| South | Selatan |
| East | Timur |
| West | Barat |
Do's and Dont's
Indonesia has several traditions and customs and it is best if you know them beforehand. Some of them are:
- Even though hand shaking is deemed appropriate between men and women, bear in mind that a number of Muslim women prefer to introduce themselves to men by nodding their head, smiling, and clasping their hands without any physical contact.
- Traditionally, when you greet someone, both hands are used when shaking, without grasping.
- It is considered polite to make a phone call first before visiting.
- Shoes must be taken off before entering a house or place of worship like mosques.
- Usually drinks are offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
- When eating, receiving or giving something, always use your right hand. Right index finger should not be used to point a place, items or people. Use the right hand thumb and fold the remaining fingers to be more polite.
- Taking photographs of houses of worships is allowed, however permission should be asked first whenever possible, especially if you want to take pictures of the interior.
- Most Indonesian Muslims do not consume alcoholic drinks and pork.
- Hence, the tradition of proposing a toast to honor someone is not generally known.
TRAVEL TIPS
- Plan your budget and choose your destination carefully. Indonesia is vast—each region has its own quirks and possibilities. For instance, if you plan to have some adventure in rugged terrains, it’s advisable to come on dry season for rains might make your paths muddy.
- Make sure you find as many information as possible concerning Indonesia, especially about the visa.
- Have sufficient cash ready, usually US$ is preferred. It can easily be exchanged in airports, hotels, banks or reputable money changers. Customs might ask you to show how much money you bring.
- Dress sufficiently. If you are female, make sure you dress accordingly. Skimpy clothings in public area, save from beaches and pools, might warrant unwanted attention.