Through a regulation No 121 of 2015, the Ministry of Transportation has designated (5) five Indonesian harbours, to be operational as transit port with turnaround capacity for foreign flag cruise vessels.

The five ports are:

1. Port Belawan, Medan,
2. Port Tanjung Priok, Jakarta,
3. Port Tanjung Perak, Surabaya,
4. Port Soekarno – Hatta, Makassar
5. Port Benoa, Bali

This regulation permits foreign passenger ships to take visitors on journeys within the country, stopping at major domestic ports, as part of an effort to boost tourism. The regulation does require that stops at domestic ports by foreign cruise ships be part of longer trips that both begin and end outside of Indonesia’s territorial waters. It was also announced that at the major ports, ships carrying passengers would be given priority over those with cargo in being assigned berths

By general definition a turnaround port is a Port from which a cruise ship loads passengers and begins its itinerary, and to which it returns to disembark passengers upon conclusion of voyage. The turnaround operation in which a cruise ship itinerary starts and finishes, involving the full disembark of all previous cruise guests and embarking of new cruise guests, as well as changing of crew. For new cruise guests or crew, this can include transport from different locations to the port, such as airports, meet and greet service. It is also where the cruise ship's supplies are loaded for the cruise, which includes everything from fresh water to fuel and other supplies needed for the cruise.

In the past tourist travelling on a cruise to Indonesia must start & end their journey either from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong or Australia. With the release of this regulation, cruise operators may benefit operating taking in & out foreign and local passengers to travel inside and outside Indonesia territorial waters.

By virtue of the Minister of Finance Regulation No. 1914/KM.4/2018 issued on 18 August 2018 pertaining to Entry and Exit Ports Providing Customs Clearance for Temporary Import of Cruise Ships/Yachts, the Government has designated 93 entry and exit ports*) that can provide custom clearance for temporary import of Cruise Ships. With this regulation, cruise ship/yachts can enter and exit through any of the 93 designated ports, subject to clearance compliance.

Passport
Passports must be valid for more than 6 (six) months since the date of entry.

1. Visa Free (up to 30 days)
Nationals of 169 countries*) are eligible for a visa-free visit of up to 30 days, with condition as follows:

• it is not extendable, you must leave after 30 days is up.
• it is not granted for the journalist/media to do coverage in Indonesia.
• no working or study is allowed

2. Visa for a visit of up to 2 months
If you wish to stay for 2 months, there are 2 ways to obtain the visa, either:

• Obtaining a visa in your home or residing country prior to arrival by applying to the nearest Indonesian embassy/consulate.
• Requesting a visa on arrival/VOA (valid for 30 days) which costs US$35. This type of visa is extendable for a further 30 day. But, you must leave the country after 2 months.

3. Visa for a visit of more than 2 up to 8 months
If you wish to stay more than 2 months up to 8 months, you must obtain prior to arrival for 2 months and can be extended every month for a maximum of 6 months (8 months in total).
There are two types of 211 Social Visas:

• the 211/30 visa is usually given for conventions or meetings that are short term.
• the 211/60 is given for Social/Cultural purpose. This visa which gives you 60 days on arrival, and is renewable every month.

4. Visa Extensions
You do not need to be in a port of entry for get a visa extension. There are many Immigration offices all over Indonesia. A list of offices where visa extensions can be found at www.indonesiapassport.com/immigration_office.html

5. Visa for Crew
Short Visit Visa index: 111 is a visa/entry permit for crews of foreign vessels to be operating for a certain period of time in the Indonesian territorial waters. Holders of visit visa index 111 may apply for DAHSUSKIM directly upon arrival to Indonesia without the need to change the index.

Holders of visit visa index 111, upon arrival, will be picked by staffs delivering letters of the Director General of Immigration who will take them to the vessel and sign on at the nearest immigration office at the port.

At the departure, they will also be taken by staffs delivering letters of the immigration office to be signed on at the immigration office of the airport. The taking process is called escorting in order to apply WASKAT (Tight Surveillance).

Visa applicant must have partner in Indonesia that is a company having complete business permits in the business line of Shipping such as SIUPAL, issued by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation The role of partner Company as such shall further to become the sponsor and shall provide all the necessary documents for visa application process.

6. Visa for Journalist/Media
A Journalist Visa is a visa issued to foreign citizens who intend to visit Indonesia for journalist activities, media coverage, or commercial/non-commercial filming/video shooting activities. This visa has to be obtained prior to arrival prior by applying to the nearest Indonesian embassy/consulate.