🇮🇩 Indonesia visa requirements

Most nationalities get 30 days visa-free or on arrival. Don't assume you can work remotely, though. That's a common pitfall.

Who Gets In And For How Long

Indonesia offers visa-free entry or a visa-on-arrival (VOA) for a huge number of nationalities. The B211A visa is your go-to if you're not on the visa-exempt list. This covers most Western passports, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries. You can get this on arrival at many international airports. It initially grants you 30 days.

There's also a list of countries eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA), which is essentially the same process as the visa-free entry for many, but confirmed as a VOA. You'll get a stamp in your passport and can extend it. If your country isn't on either of these lists, you'll need to apply for a visa at an Indonesian embassy or consulate abroad before you travel. The B211A visa is often the easiest route for remote workers, as it's a tourist/business visa that can be extended.

Overstaying Is A Bad Idea

Your initial entry permit, whether visa-free or a VOA, usually gives you 30 days. This is often extendable for another 30 days, but crucially, you must apply for the extension before your initial 30 days expire. This means visiting an immigration office or using an agent. Don't wait until the last day.

If you overstay, the penalties are steep. You'll face a fine of IDR 1,000,000 (around $65 USD) per day of overstay. This sounds manageable, but it adds up fast. More seriously, significant overstays can lead to detention, deportation, and blacklisting from future entry into Indonesia. There's also a system where you can get an "exit permit" stamp when you leave, which shows you've complied with the rules. Repeatedly entering on a visa-free stamp and leaving just before it expires, only to re-enter immediately, might raise eyebrows, though it's often overlooked for short stays.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp

This is where things get blurry. Officially, working while on a tourist visa or visa-free entry is not permitted. Indonesia doesn't have a specific digital nomad visa like some other countries. However, enforcement is inconsistent. Many remote workers live in Bali and other popular spots for months on end using the tourist visa and its extensions.

Immigration officers are generally more concerned with people working illegally in regulated professions or those causing public order issues. For simply working on your laptop for a foreign company, you're unlikely to face direct scrutiny unless you draw attention to yourself. That said, it's a grey area. If you plan to stay long-term, exploring the B211A visa (which is technically for tourism or business meetings) and its extension options is a safer bet than relying on visa-free entry for extended periods. Don't try to set up a local business or solicit work within Indonesia.

Recent Changes and the eVisa Shuffle

Indonesia has been actively streamlining its visa processes, particularly over the last 18 months. The big development was the rollout of eVOA (electronic Visa on Arrival) for many nationalities. This allows you to apply and pay for your VOA online before you even land, often saving time at the airport. The fee for the eVOA is typically IDR 500,000, which covers the initial 30 days.

There have also been adjustments to fees and the types of visas available. The B211A visa has become more prominent as a flexible option for longer stays, and its extension process is now more standardized. It's worth checking the official Directorate General of Immigration website for the absolute latest information before your trip, as policies can shift. The number of countries eligible for visa-free entry or VOA has also seen some minor expansions and contractions over time.