Is Indonesia Visa On Arrival Still Available? What to Expect in 2024

One of the most common questions travellers ask before booking a flight to Indonesia is whether the Visa on Arrival is still running — or whether something changed while they weren’t looking. The short answer is yes, VoA is still very much available in 2026. But the process has shifted enough that arriving unprepared can mean standing in a long queue while everyone around you walks straight through immigration. The e-VoA system, the mandatory electronic customs declaration, and updated airport procedures have all changed the experience at Indonesia’s two busiest international airports. This guide covers everything you need to know before you land.

Visa-Free Entry: Which Nationalities Qualify and What It Covers

Indonesia offers visa-free entry under the Bebas Visa Kunjungan (BVK) scheme to citizens of ASEAN member countries and a small number of additional nations. If your passport is from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or Timor-Leste, you can enter Indonesia without paying any visa fee.

The visa-free stay allows up to 30 days and is strictly for tourism, social visits, and transit. You cannot use it for work, business negotiations that lead to a contract, or any paid activity inside Indonesia. It is also non-extendable — you cannot walk into an immigration office and add more time. If you know before arrival that you want to stay beyond 30 days, you need to apply for a different visa type before you fly.

Standard requirements for visa-free entry:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry
• A confirmed return ticket or onward ticket to another country
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay (not always requested, but immigration officers can ask)
• No history of overstaying in Indonesia

Airlines check the passport validity rule strictly. If your passport expires in less than 6 months from your arrival date, you may be denied boarding before you even reach Indonesia.

Visa on Arrival (VoA): Cost, Eligible Countries, and Where to Get It

For travellers from countries not covered by the BVK scheme, the Visa on Arrival is the standard entry option. Citizens of over 90 countries are eligible, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, and many others. The full and current list is published on the official Indonesian Immigration website at imigrasi.go.id.

The cost is IDR 500,000 per person. This fee has remained stable for a considerable period and has not changed through 2026. The VoA gives you an initial stay of up to 30 days.

The VoA can be extended once for an additional 30 days, giving you a total of 60 days in-country. You must apply for this extension at an immigration office before your original 30-day period expires. The extension fee is also IDR 500,000. Immigration offices in tourist areas like Bali (Kantor Imigrasi Ngurah Rai) and Lombok handle these extensions routinely.

VoA is available at the following entry points:

• Airports: Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) Jakarta, Ngurah Rai (DPS) Denpasar/Bali, Kualanamu (KNO) Medan, Juanda (SUB) Surabaya, Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG) Makassar, and other major international airports
• Seaports: Batam Centre, Sekupang, Citra Tri Tunas (Harbour Bay/Batam), Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang, Bandar Bentan Telani in Bintan, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta

Payment at the VoA counter accepts cash in Indonesian Rupiah as the most reliable method. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express) are generally accepted at airport counters, but reliability varies. Always have IDR 500,000 in cash on hand as a backup. Debit cards are accepted at some counters but are the least reliable option.

How to Apply for the e-VoA Before You Fly (Step-by-Step)

The electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) is the government-recommended route. You apply and pay online before departure, then present a QR code at immigration when you land. The fee is the same — IDR 500,000 — but you avoid the physical payment queue at the airport.

Here is the full process:

1. Go to molina.imigrasi.go.id
2. Register an account using your email address
3. Log in and select “Apply Visa”
4. Choose “Visa on Arrival (e-VoA)”
5. Fill in your personal details, passport information, and travel itinerary
6. Upload a scanned copy of your passport biodata page and a recent passport-style photograph (4×6 cm, white background)
7. Pay the IDR 500,000 fee using a credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Amex)
8. After approval — usually within minutes to a few hours — you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code
9. Save this QR code on your phone or print it
10. At immigration, present your passport, return ticket, and the e-VoA QR code to the officer

The system is straightforward, but a few things can trip people up. Make sure the name on your application matches your passport exactly, including middle names if your passport includes them. Upload a clear, flat scan of your passport — blurry or cropped photos are a common reason for delays in approval. The e-VoA is tied to a single passport, so if you renew your passport after applying, you will need to apply again.

The B211A Social/Cultural Visa: For Stays Beyond 60 Days

If you plan to stay in Indonesia longer than the 60 days that VoA and its extension allow, the B211A Single Entry Visitor Visa is the visa most long-term tourists and digital nomads use. It is also the appropriate option if your purpose involves attending cultural events, language courses, family visits, or business meetings that do not involve receiving a local salary.

The B211A is initially granted for 60 days. It can then be extended up to four times, each extension adding 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 180 days (6 months) within a single visa cycle.

Costs:

• Initial visa application fee: IDR 1,500,000
• Each extension fee: IDR 500,000 per extension

Requirements:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months (or 12 months if you intend to use all 4 extensions)
• An Indonesian sponsor — either an individual or a company registered in Indonesia. Licensed visa agents can fulfil this requirement for a service fee.
• Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
• Confirmed return or onward ticket
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended

The B211A can be applied for online through molina.imigrasi.go.id, either by you with a sponsor or through a visa agent who manages the whole process. Many travellers who are new to Indonesia use a visa agent for their first B211A, as agents handle the sponsorship paperwork and know how to navigate any bureaucratic quirks. Once approved, you receive an e-visa that you present at immigration on arrival. Extensions are handled in-country at the nearest immigration office.

What to Expect at Immigration: CGK and DPS Airport Procedures

Before you think about visa counters, there is one mandatory step that every international arrival must complete before landing: the Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD). Paper customs forms are no longer distributed or accepted at Indonesian airports. You must fill this in online at ecd.beacukai.go.id up to three days before arrival. The system generates a QR code, which you save on your phone or print. You will scan it at automated gates or present it to a customs officer after collecting your bags.

The arrival process at both Soekarno-Hatta and Ngurah Rai follows the same basic sequence:

Visa/Immigration:

• Visa-free travellers: Proceed directly to the immigration counter with passport and return ticket
• VoA (on arrival): Go to the VoA payment counter first, pay IDR 500,000, collect your receipt, then join the immigration queue
• e-VoA or B211A e-visa holders: Proceed directly to immigration, present your passport, return ticket, and QR code

Baggage claim: Collect your luggage from the carousel

Customs: Scan your e-CD QR code at the automated gates or hand it to a customs officer. Luggage may be scanned or inspected

Exit to arrivals hall

Immigration queues at both CGK and DPS can range from 15 minutes at quiet times to over two hours during peak international arrival windows. The PeduliLindungi app, previously required for COVID-19 tracking, is no longer mandatory for international travellers.

At Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), most international flights arrive at Terminal 3, though some airlines use Terminal 2. Check your boarding pass. At Ngurah Rai (DPS), all international arrivals use the single international terminal.

Getting from the Airport: Transport Options and Real Costs

Once you clear immigration and customs, the arrival hall at both airports is loud, bright, and full of people holding signs and offering transport. Here is how to navigate it without overpaying.

From Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) to Jakarta

• Airport Train (KAI Commuter): The cleanest and most reliable option. Trains run from the airport station at Terminal 1/2/3 to BNI City/Sudirman Baru and Manggarai stations in central Jakarta. Cost: IDR 70,000 per person. Travel time: approximately 45–55 minutes to BNI City. Frequency: roughly every 30–60 minutes.
• Damri Airport Buses: Affordable buses to multiple points across Jakarta and surrounding cities. Cost: IDR 50,000–IDR 80,000 depending on destination.
• Official Taxis (Blue Bird Group): Available at designated taxi stands outside arrivals. Metered with an airport surcharge.
• Gojek/Grab: Cheaper than taxis for most Jakarta destinations. Designated pick-up points are located outside the main arrival halls, but drivers sometimes ask you to meet at specific spots to avoid airport taxi zone restrictions. Expect to pay IDR 150,000–IDR 250,000 to central Jakarta depending on traffic.

From Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Bali’s Tourist Areas

• Official Airport Taxis: Fixed-price counter in the arrivals hall. Approximate costs: Kuta IDR 100,000–150,000, Seminyak IDR 150,000–200,000, Ubud IDR 300,000–400,000.
• Gojek/Grab: Significantly cheaper than official taxis, but pick-up zones are a short walk from the main exit. Approximate costs: Kuta IDR 60,000–90,000, Seminyak IDR 80,000–120,000, Ubud IDR 180,000–250,000. Prices vary with demand.
• Pre-booked Private Transfers: Convenient if arranged through your hotel or a tour operator. More expensive than app-based options but removes all uncertainty on arrival.

Boat Entry and Sea Ports That Accept VoA

If you are travelling from Singapore or Malaysia by ferry, several Indonesian seaports are authorised to issue Visa on Arrival. The most commonly used are in the Riau Islands — Batam and Bintan — which sit directly across from Singapore and are popular for weekend trips as well as longer Indonesia stays.

VoA-authorised seaports include:

• Batam Centre, Sekupang, and Citra Tri Tunas (Harbour Bay) in Batam
• Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang
• Bandar Bentan Telani in Bintan
• Tanjung Priok in Jakarta

The procedure mirrors the airport process: go to the VoA counter first if you have not pre-applied for an e-VoA, pay IDR 500,000, then proceed to immigration. The mandatory e-CD must still be completed online via ecd.beacukai.go.id before you arrive at the port.

2026 Updates: What Has Changed Since 2024

The core visa structure — visa-free for ASEAN nationals, VoA for eligible passport holders, B211A for longer stays — remains the same in 2026. But a few things have shifted in ways that directly affect your airport experience.

e-VoA is now the default expectation. The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has continued to actively push the e-VoA system at molina.imigrasi.go.id since 2024. The on-arrival VoA payment counter still exists and still works, but immigration staff routinely direct arriving passengers toward the e-VoA as the preferred route. Signage at CGK and DPS reflects this shift.

Paper customs forms are gone. The Electronic Customs Declaration at ecd.beacukai.go.id became fully mandatory for all international arrivals. If you show up without a completed e-CD QR code, you will be directed to complete it on a tablet at the airport before you can proceed — which creates an unnecessary delay.

More automated e-gates at major airports. CGK and DPS have expanded their automated immigration gate installations since 2024. These are primarily for Indonesian citizens and citizens of certain ASEAN countries holding e-passports. Most international VoA holders still proceed through staffed counters.

PeduliLindungi requirements have been fully lifted. The COVID-19 tracking app is no longer required for entry. Health screening still exists in the form of thermal scanners, but there is no app registration requirement for asymptomatic international travellers.

VoA fee unchanged. The IDR 500,000 fee has remained stable and has not increased through 2026.

Common Mistakes That Get Travellers Stopped at the Border

Most entry problems at Indonesian immigration are predictable and entirely avoidable. These are the ones that come up most often.

• Passport expiring within 6 months: Airlines will deny boarding. Check your passport expiry date against your arrival date in Indonesia — not your departure date from home. The rule is 6 months from the day you arrive.
• No return or onward ticket: Immigration officers can and do ask for proof you have a way out of Indonesia. A flexible flight ticket with no confirmed date is sometimes questioned. A confirmed booking, even a refundable one, is the safest approach.
• Skipping the e-CD: Arriving without the electronic customs declaration QR code means completing it on a shared airport tablet, which takes time and can hold up everyone behind you in the customs queue.
• Using the wrong visa type for work: Entering on a VoA or tourist visa and then doing paid work — including remote freelance work paid by foreign clients — exists in a legal grey area in Indonesia. If you plan to work, look at the KITAS work permit or the relevant professional visa options. Enforcement has increased in popular digital nomad areas since 2024.
• Previous overstay history: Indonesia takes overstays seriously. Fines are IDR 1,000,000 per day for overstays, and a history of overstaying can result in entry refusal. If you overstayed previously and are attempting to re-enter, be prepared for scrutiny.
• Trying to extend a visa-free entry: The BVK visa-free 30 days for ASEAN nationals is non-extendable. Some travellers misunderstand this and attempt to extend it at an immigration office, which is not possible.

2026 Budget Reality: Entry and Visa Costs at a Glance

Here is what entry into Indonesia actually costs across different scenarios in 2026:

• Visa-free (ASEAN nationals): IDR 0 — no fee
• Visa on Arrival (VoA), 30 days: IDR 500,000
• VoA extension (additional 30 days, total 60 days): IDR 500,000
• e-VoA (online pre-application, same fee): IDR 500,000
• B211A Social/Cultural Visa (initial 60 days): IDR 1,500,000
• B211A extension (each 30-day extension, up to 4 extensions): IDR 500,000 per extension
• B211A maximum total cost (initial + 4 extensions): IDR 3,500,000

If you are using a visa agent to handle a B211A application, factor in their service fee, which typically ranges from IDR 500,000 to IDR 1,500,000 depending on the agent and how much they are managing on your behalf.

For budget travellers, the VoA at IDR 500,000 (approximately USD 30–32 at mid-2026 exchange rates) is a one-off cost that most nationalities simply build into their trip budget. The B211A is a more significant upfront cost but makes sense financially for anyone planning to stay two months or longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Visa on Arrival still available at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport in 2026?

Yes. VoA is available at Ngurah Rai (DPS) International Airport in 2026. The fee is IDR 500,000 per person, payable by cash or card at the VoA counter before you join the immigration queue. The e-VoA through molina.imigrasi.go.id is the faster alternative — apply before you fly and skip the payment counter entirely.

Can I extend my Visa on Arrival in Indonesia?

Yes, once. The VoA can be extended for one additional 30-day period, giving a total stay of 60 days. You must apply at an Indonesian immigration office before your initial 30 days expire. The extension fee is IDR 500,000. After 60 days, you need to depart Indonesia or have applied for a different visa type before your VoA expires.

What is the difference between the VoA and the e-VoA?

Both give you the same 30-day entry and cost the same — IDR 500,000. The difference is timing. VoA is paid at a counter inside the airport after you land. The e-VoA is applied for and paid online at molina.imigrasi.go.id before you travel. The e-VoA lets you skip the payment counter queue and go straight to the immigration officer on arrival.

What documents do I need to enter Indonesia on a VoA?

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, a confirmed return or onward ticket out of Indonesia, and your VoA receipt (or e-VoA QR code if you applied online). You also need a completed Electronic Customs Declaration from ecd.beacukai.go.id before arrival. Proof of sufficient funds may be requested.

What happens if I overstay my visa in Indonesia?

Overstaying is taken seriously. The fine is IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay, capped at a maximum amount, with the cap determined by the Directorate General of Immigration. Repeated overstays or overstays of significant length can result in deportation and a ban from re-entering Indonesia. Always extend or depart before your visa expires.

1. Disembarkation: Follow signs for “Arrivals” or “Immigration”
2. Thermal screening: Walk through thermal scanners. Travellers showing fever or symptoms of communicable diseases may be directed for additional checks
3. Visa/Immigration:
   • Visa-free travellers: Proceed directly to the immigration counter with passport and return ticket
   • VoA (on arrival): Go to the VoA payment counter first, pay IDR 500,000, collect your receipt, then join the immigration queue
   • e-VoA or B211A e-visa holders: Proceed directly to immigration, present your passport, return ticket, and QR code
4. Baggage claim: Collect your luggage from the carousel
5. Customs: Scan your e-CD QR code at the automated gates or hand it to a customs officer. Luggage may be scanned or inspected
6. Exit to arrivals hall

Immigration queues at both CGK and DPS can range from 15 minutes at quiet times to over two hours during peak international arrival windows. The PeduliLindungi app, previously required for COVID-19 tracking, is no longer mandatory for international travellers.

At Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), most international flights arrive at Terminal 3, though some airlines use Terminal 2. Check your boarding pass. At Ngurah Rai (DPS), all international arrivals use the single international terminal.

Getting from the Airport: Transport Options and Real Costs

Once you clear immigration and customs, the arrival hall at both airports is loud, bright, and full of people holding signs and offering transport. Here is how to navigate it without overpaying.

From Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) to Jakarta

• Airport Train (KAI Commuter): The cleanest and most reliable option. Trains run from the airport station at Terminal 1/2/3 to BNI City/Sudirman Baru and Manggarai stations in central Jakarta. Cost: IDR 70,000 per person. Travel time: approximately 45–55 minutes to BNI City. Frequency: roughly every 30–60 minutes.
• Damri Airport Buses: Affordable buses to multiple points across Jakarta and surrounding cities. Cost: IDR 50,000–IDR 80,000 depending on destination.
• Official Taxis (Blue Bird Group): Available at designated taxi stands outside arrivals. Metered with an airport surcharge.
• Gojek/Grab: Cheaper than taxis for most Jakarta destinations. Designated pick-up points are located outside the main arrival halls, but drivers sometimes ask you to meet at specific spots to avoid airport taxi zone restrictions. Expect to pay IDR 150,000–IDR 250,000 to central Jakarta depending on traffic.

From Ngurah Rai (DPS) to Bali’s Tourist Areas

• Official Airport Taxis: Fixed-price counter in the arrivals hall. Approximate costs: Kuta IDR 100,000–150,000, Seminyak IDR 150,000–200,000, Ubud IDR 300,000–400,000.
• Gojek/Grab: Significantly cheaper than official taxis, but pick-up zones are a short walk from the main exit. Approximate costs: Kuta IDR 60,000–90,000, Seminyak IDR 80,000–120,000, Ubud IDR 180,000–250,000. Prices vary with demand.
• Pre-booked Private Transfers: Convenient if arranged through your hotel or a tour operator. More expensive than app-based options but removes all uncertainty on arrival.

Boat Entry and Sea Ports That Accept VoA

If you are travelling from Singapore or Malaysia by ferry, several Indonesian seaports are authorised to issue Visa on Arrival. The most commonly used are in the Riau Islands — Batam and Bintan — which sit directly across from Singapore and are popular for weekend trips as well as longer Indonesia stays.

VoA-authorised seaports include:

• Batam Centre, Sekupang, and Citra Tri Tunas (Harbour Bay) in Batam
• Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang
• Bandar Bentan Telani in Bintan
• Tanjung Priok in Jakarta

The procedure mirrors the airport process: go to the VoA counter first if you have not pre-applied for an e-VoA, pay IDR 500,000, then proceed to immigration. The mandatory e-CD must still be completed online via ecd.beacukai.go.id before you arrive at the port.

2026 Updates: What Has Changed Since 2024

The core visa structure — visa-free for ASEAN nationals, VoA for eligible passport holders, B211A for longer stays — remains the same in 2026. But a few things have shifted in ways that directly affect your airport experience.

e-VoA is now the default expectation. The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has continued to actively push the e-VoA system at molina.imigrasi.go.id since 2024. The on-arrival VoA payment counter still exists and still works, but immigration staff routinely direct arriving passengers toward the e-VoA as the preferred route. Signage at CGK and DPS reflects this shift.

Paper customs forms are gone. The Electronic Customs Declaration at ecd.beacukai.go.id became fully mandatory for all international arrivals. If you show up without a completed e-CD QR code, you will be directed to complete it on a tablet at the airport before you can proceed — which creates an unnecessary delay.

More automated e-gates at major airports. CGK and DPS have expanded their automated immigration gate installations since 2024. These are primarily for Indonesian citizens and citizens of certain ASEAN countries holding e-passports. Most international VoA holders still proceed through staffed counters.

PeduliLindungi requirements have been fully lifted. The COVID-19 tracking app is no longer required for entry. Health screening still exists in the form of thermal scanners, but there is no app registration requirement for asymptomatic international travellers.

VoA fee unchanged. The IDR 500,000 fee has remained stable and has not increased through 2026.

Common Mistakes That Get Travellers Stopped at the Border

Most entry problems at Indonesian immigration are predictable and entirely avoidable. These are the ones that come up most often.

• Passport expiring within 6 months: Airlines will deny boarding. Check your passport expiry date against your arrival date in Indonesia — not your departure date from home. The rule is 6 months from the day you arrive.
• No return or onward ticket: Immigration officers can and do ask for proof you have a way out of Indonesia. A flexible flight ticket with no confirmed date is sometimes questioned. A confirmed booking, even a refundable one, is the safest approach.
• Skipping the e-CD: Arriving without the electronic customs declaration QR code means completing it on a shared airport tablet, which takes time and can hold up everyone behind you in the customs queue.
• Using the wrong visa type for work: Entering on a VoA or tourist visa and then doing paid work — including remote freelance work paid by foreign clients — exists in a legal grey area in Indonesia. If you plan to work, look at the KITAS work permit or the relevant professional visa options. Enforcement has increased in popular digital nomad areas since 2024.
• Previous overstay history: Indonesia takes overstays seriously. Fines are IDR 1,000,000 per day for overstays, and a history of overstaying can result in entry refusal. If you overstayed previously and are attempting to re-enter, be prepared for scrutiny.
• Trying to extend a visa-free entry: The BVK visa-free 30 days for ASEAN nationals is non-extendable. Some travellers misunderstand this and attempt to extend it at an immigration office, which is not possible.

2026 Budget Reality: Entry and Visa Costs at a Glance

Here is what entry into Indonesia actually costs across different scenarios in 2026:

• Visa-free (ASEAN nationals): IDR 0 — no fee
• Visa on Arrival (VoA), 30 days: IDR 500,000
• VoA extension (additional 30 days, total 60 days): IDR 500,000
• e-VoA (online pre-application, same fee): IDR 500,000
• B211A Social/Cultural Visa (initial 60 days): IDR 1,500,000
• B211A extension (each 30-day extension, up to 4 extensions): IDR 500,000 per extension
• B211A maximum total cost (initial + 4 extensions): IDR 3,500,000

If you are using a visa agent to handle a B211A application, factor in their service fee, which typically ranges from IDR 500,000 to IDR 1,500,000 depending on the agent and how much they are managing on your behalf.

For budget travellers, the VoA at IDR 500,000 (approximately USD 30–32 at mid-2026 exchange rates) is a one-off cost that most nationalities simply build into their trip budget. The B211A is a more significant upfront cost but makes sense financially for anyone planning to stay two months or longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Visa on Arrival still available at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport in 2026?

Yes. VoA is available at Ngurah Rai (DPS) International Airport in 2026. The fee is IDR 500,000 per person, payable by cash or card at the VoA counter before you join the immigration queue. The e-VoA through molina.imigrasi.go.id is the faster alternative — apply before you fly and skip the payment counter entirely.

Can I extend my Visa on Arrival in Indonesia?

Yes, once. The VoA can be extended for one additional 30-day period, giving a total stay of 60 days. You must apply at an Indonesian immigration office before your initial 30 days expire. The extension fee is IDR 500,000. After 60 days, you need to depart Indonesia or have applied for a different visa type before your VoA expires.

What is the difference between the VoA and the e-VoA?

Both give you the same 30-day entry and cost the same — IDR 500,000. The difference is timing. VoA is paid at a counter inside the airport after you land. The e-VoA is applied for and paid online at molina.imigrasi.go.id before you travel. The e-VoA lets you skip the payment counter queue and go straight to the immigration officer on arrival.

What documents do I need to enter Indonesia on a VoA?

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, a confirmed return or onward ticket out of Indonesia, and your VoA receipt (or e-VoA QR code if you applied online). You also need a completed Electronic Customs Declaration from ecd.beacukai.go.id before arrival. Proof of sufficient funds may be requested.

What happens if I overstay my visa in Indonesia?

Overstaying is taken seriously. The fine is IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay, capped at a maximum amount, with the cap determined by the Directorate General of Immigration. Repeated overstays or overstays of significant length can result in deportation and a ban from re-entering Indonesia. Always extend or depart before your visa expires.

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📷 Featured image by Affan Fadhlan on Unsplash.