Indonesia visa on arrival: how it works and what to prepare
Indonesia is one of the more straightforward countries in Southeast Asia to enter for tourism. Most short-stay visitors, including UK passport holders, can use a visa on arrival rather than applying for a full visa in advance. This guide explains how the process works, who can use it, how long you can stay, and what to have ready, so you move through the airport without surprises. For the requirements themselves, always rely on the official Indonesian immigration service, linked below.
Who can use Indonesia's visa on arrival
The visa on arrival, often shortened to VoA, is open to passport holders from a long list of countries, including the United Kingdom and many others. It is intended for tourism, family visits, and certain short business meetings. It is not the right route for paid work, long-term stays, or study, which need different visas arranged ahead of time.
If your nationality is not on the visa on arrival list, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel instead. Checking your specific corridor on the Indonesia destination page and the official portal is the safest first step.
How long you can stay
The visa on arrival allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date you enter. It can be extended once, for a further period, through Indonesia's official immigration service either online or at a local immigration office. If you think you might stay longer, it is worth understanding the extension process before you travel, because the rules and timing are set by immigration and can change.
The 30-day count begins on the day you arrive, so plan your onward travel with the exact dates in mind. Overstaying carries penalties, so give yourself a clear margin.
How to get your visa on arrival
There are two common routes:
- On arrival at the airport. Major international gateways such as Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya have visa on arrival counters. You complete the process after you land and before immigration control.
- Online in advance (e-VoA). Indonesia also offers an electronic visa on arrival you apply for before you fly through the official portal. You receive it by email and present it on arrival, which can mean a quicker path through the airport.
Both lead to the same permission to enter. The online route suits travellers who prefer to have everything settled before departure, while the on-arrival counter suits those who decide late or prefer to handle it in person.
What to prepare before you fly
While the official portal is the definitive source, travellers are typically asked to have the following ready:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry, with blank pages. Our passport validity rules guide explains why the six-month rule matters and how to avoid being caught out.
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- Confirmation of where you are staying for the first part of your trip.
Requirements can vary by nationality and can change, so confirm the current list on the official Indonesian immigration portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id before you travel. We inform rather than advise, and we never process applications on your behalf.
After you land: getting connected
Once your entry is sorted, the next priority for most travellers is getting online. Indonesia has good mobile coverage across its cities and main tourist areas, and an eSIM is the simplest way to use it. You buy and install an eSIM before you fly, then switch it on when you land, with no queuing for a local SIM card.
Saily offers Indonesia eSIM plans that take only a few minutes to set up. Get your Indonesia eSIM with Saily so you can arrange transport, check maps, and message ahead the moment you arrive. If you are heading to East Java, our Mount Bromo guide covers connectivity around the caldera too.
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Entry requirements at a glance
The headline rules for many travellers are a visa on arrival for up to 30 days, a passport valid for at least six months, and proof of onward travel. Because these details depend on your nationality and can be updated by the authorities, treat the official immigration portal as the final word, and use our destination pages as a starting point for planning.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Indonesia?
UK passport holders can generally enter Indonesia using a visa on arrival for tourism, valid for up to 30 days. You arrange it at the airport or apply for the electronic version online before you travel. Always confirm the current rules on the official portal.
How long is Indonesia's visa on arrival valid?
The visa on arrival allows a stay of up to 30 days from your date of entry. It can be extended once through Indonesia's official immigration service.
Can I extend my Indonesia visa on arrival?
Yes, the visa on arrival can usually be extended once for a further period. Extensions are handled by Indonesian immigration online or at a local office, and you should begin the process before your current permission expires.
Can I apply for the Indonesia visa on arrival online before I fly?
Yes. Indonesia offers an electronic visa on arrival, known as e-VoA, through its official portal. You apply in advance, receive it by email, and present it when you land, which can speed up your arrival.
What passport validity do I need for Indonesia?
Travellers are typically required to hold a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, with blank pages. Check our passport validity rules guide and the official portal to be sure.
Which airports offer visa on arrival in Indonesia?
Major international gateways including Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya operate visa on arrival counters. The electronic version can be used at participating entry points, which are listed on the official immigration portal.
Can I work on Indonesia's visa on arrival?
No. The visa on arrival is for tourism, family visits, and certain short business activities. Paid work requires a different visa arranged in advance, so check the appropriate category if you plan to work.
What is the difference between visa on arrival and e-VoA?
They grant the same permission to enter. The visa on arrival is obtained at the airport counter after you land, while the e-VoA is applied for online before you travel and presented on arrival.
Do children need their own visa on arrival?
Yes, each traveller, including children, generally needs their own entry permission and passport. Confirm the specific requirements for minors on the official immigration portal before you fly.
How do I get mobile data when I land in Indonesia?
The easiest option is an eSIM bought and installed before departure, switched on when you arrive. Indonesia has good coverage in its cities and tourist areas, so you can be online as soon as you clear immigration.
How visa on arrival compares with the alternatives
Visa on arrival is one of three broad ways a country can let you in, and the differences matter more than the names suggest. A visa-free arrangement asks nothing of you before you fly. An e-visa is decided before departure, so you know the answer before you are committed. A visa on arrival is decided at the border, which is the fastest to arrange and the least certain of the three.
For most travellers to Indonesia the distinction is academic, because the scheme is well established and the process at the airport is routine. It becomes relevant if your trip depends on being admitted, or if you are combining Indonesia with countries that handle entry differently.
Related reading
- Visa on arrival: what to expect walks through the arrival process itself.
- Visa on arrival vs e-visa sets out where the two differ and when each is preferable.
- Mount Bromo and Borobudur Temple cover the two sights most first trips are built around.
- The Indonesia destination page has the corridor detail and the current official source for your passport.