Indonesia Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

When a traveller is willing to travel to Indonesia for tourism, a tourist visa to Indonesia is issued in the traveller’s name. This visa is one of the common types of visas and is generally a single-entry type. There are certain other benefits to the visa type as well. The holder can even visit their family and friends in the country by providing one extra document. However, it is important to know  that a visa does not guarantee you an entry in Indonesia. If in case the airport authorities or the border control find an issue with the visa or yourself, there are chances that you may not be allowed to enter the country. The validity offered by the visa is of about 30 days if issued on arrival. If you issue it prior to the journey, the validity and the period of stay may vary.

There are more than one ways to get a tourist visa to Indonesia. But before that, there are the eligibility criteria that you need to follow. It is necessary that you meet these criteria as this will allow you to apply for the visa. Indonesia tourist visa for Indian passport holders can be issued in two different ways. The processes are given as follows:

• Visa on arrival

1. Book flight tickets for onward and return journey.
2. Collect the required documents before travelling.
3. Upon arrival, consult the airport authorities.
4. Present your passport and other documents if asked.
5. Get the Visa Stamp on your passport.

• Visa prior to arrival

1. You can start by downloading the application form.
2. Choose the visa type that you require.
3. Fill out the visa application form and other documents.
4. You can then collect the required documents.
5. Submit the documents to the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate.
6. Wait until you get your documents approved from the Directorate General of Immigration.
7. After approval, you will be informed about other requirements if needed.
8. You can then pay the fee and the processing will begin.

The visa on arrival is applicable for over 160 countries and fortunately India is one of them. This type will allow you to stay in the country for about 30 calendar days from the date of arrival. It is applicable only for the ones who are visiting the country for leisure and tourism and not for employment or any other such purpose. It is a single entry type. To get a multiple-entry, you will have to apply prior to travel. It can also be extended up to 30 days as well.

It is also essential to note that the information provided during the application must be complete and should be verifiable. If there is any kind of information that is false or untraceable, there are chances that you may get your visa application rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect your future applications to get a tourist visa to Indonesia or to any other type to any country other than Indonesia as well. To avoid such mistakes, it is recommended that you hire a trustworthy agency for the issuance of the visa.

The eligibility criteria for a tourist visa to Indonesia must be met before applying for the visa. Some of the important parameters are listed as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
  • • If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Indonesia.
    • You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements
  • • You must be healthy enough to travel to Indonesia.
    • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
    • You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.

• • •  
• You must meet the character requirements

• • • You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Indonesia.
    • You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
  • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Indonesia.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There are different kinds of requirements as per the procedure that is to be followed. The list of requirements  for Indonesia Tourist Visa is given as follows:

• Visa on arrival

• • • An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
    • Confirmed flight tickets
    • Proof of sufficient funds - foreign exchange, credit card, travellers cheque, or any other equivalent document. (scanned copies)
• Visa prior to arrival
  • • An original passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel.
    • Coloured photographs as per the photo specifications
    • A cover letter with all the required details
    • Confirmed flight tickets
    • Proof of accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc. (scanned copies)
    • Proof of purpose of visit - invitation letter, etc. (scanned copies)
    • Proof of sufficient funds - bank statement or any other equivalent document. (scanned copies)

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of a  tourist visa to Indonesia is about 3 to 5 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters.

The processing time for a visa on arrival is generally one to a few hours. There are other factors as well that affect this processing time. The processing may take time if your passport and other documents take longer to get verified or if there is a queue.

The Indonesia tourist visa price normally varies depending on the process that you choose to follow, be it on arrival or prior to arrival. The fees to get a tourist visa to Indonesia are to be paid to the embassy or the agency through which you are getting it issued. There are several factors that affect the cost of the visa. These include the number of entries required, the purpose of the visit, the service charges and others.

After the payment of the Indonesia tourist visa price of whatever is required, the processing of the documents and the visa will begin for visa prior to arrival. Also, 

• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

You can check the status of your visa offline by contacting the embassy. If you have applied through a professional agency, you can check the status online by visiting their website for Indonesia tourist visa tracking.

When you finally get your Indonesia tourist visa, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Some of the most important ones are listed as follows:

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Indonesia within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Indonesia
• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.