🇮🇩 Indonesia visa for United Kingdom citizens

Most passports get you 30 days free on arrival. Some others pay for 30 days. Don't even think about working remotely on these stamps.

Who Walks in Visa-Free (and Who Pays)

If you're from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or most of the EU, you get a 30-day visa exemption on arrival. No application needed beforehand. It’s straightforward. Just show your passport.

Many other countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and most Middle Eastern nations, can get a Visa on Arrival (VoA). This also grants you 30 days. You pay for it at the immigration counter. The current fee is IDR 500,000 (around $35 USD). You can usually extend this VoA once for another 30 days.

Then there are countries that require a visa before you arrive. This list changes, but generally includes nations like Nigeria, Pakistan, and North Korea. If your passport falls into this category, you'll need to apply at an Indonesian embassy or consulate in your home country or a neighboring one. It's a much longer process and requires planning weeks, if not months, in advance.

How Long Can You Actually Stay?

That initial 30-day visa exemption or VoA is the starting point. You can extend your stay once for another 30 days. This extension process involves visiting an immigration office in Indonesia. It’s not difficult, but it does require paperwork and a fee, typically around IDR 150,000.

Here's where people get tripped up: the exit stamp. When you leave Indonesia, immigration officers check your passport for an exit stamp and ensure you haven't overstayed. Overstaying is taken seriously. The penalty is usually IDR 1,000,000 per day (about $70 USD). This is payable at the airport when you depart. For serious overstays, you could face detention or deportation. There's also a concept of "double-entry" visas, but for short tourist stays, most people just focus on extending their initial 30 days.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp

Can you work remotely on a tourist visa or exemption? The official answer is no. Indonesia's tourist visas and exemptions are strictly for tourism, visiting family, or short business trips (like attending meetings).

However, enforcement is… inconsistent. You'll see digital nomads everywhere in Bali, working from cafes and co-working spaces on tourist stamps. Immigration officers are generally more concerned with overstays than with someone tapping away on a laptop. That said, it's a legal grey area. If you were to be questioned, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on. For longer stays or if you plan on earning income while in Indonesia, you should investigate a B211A visa, which is sometimes used for business or remote work purposes, though it has its own complexities and isn't a true digital nomad visa.

What's New in Indonesian Immigration

Indonesia has been making moves to streamline its visa processes. The big news recently has been the rollout and expansion of the eVisa system. Many nationalities that previously needed a VoA or a pre-approved visa can now apply online. This includes the B211A visa, which can often be processed much faster.

Fees for some visas have been adjusted, and the VoA fee remains IDR 500,000. Keep an eye on the official Directorate General of Immigration website for the most up-to-date information, as policies can shift. They've also been expanding the airports and ports where VoAs are issued. The goal is clearly to attract more foreign visitors, but it's always wise to check the latest requirements before you book your flight.