Transit Information

Many travelers are confused about whether they should get a visa to transit through Indonesia and get to another destination, as it depends on many factors - whether you go out of the airport and the length of the stopover, etc.

For many nationalities, Indonesian tourist visas and transit visas are issued on arrival at major Indonesia Airports and seaports in Indonesia. Tourist visas are usually not extendable and not convertible into other types of visa.

This FAQs are available to help you find your route through the Indonesia Airports easily and efficiently.

When do I need a visa to transit through Indonesia?

Passengers transiting through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for less than 24 hours, or other airports for less than 8 hours, do not require a visa. However, those who are switching terminals in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, or those transiting through Ngurah Rai International Airport require a visa unless they are from a visa-exempt jurisdiction. Please note that, if you'd like to go through custom, a visa would be required even if your layover is shorter than 24 hours. It could be a transit visa or other types of visa such as Visa on Arrival.

Then, when can I transit through Indonesia without a visa?

If you meet all of the following conditions, you can transit through Indonesia without visa. The conditions are:

• Layover time less than 24 hours though Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as determined by scheduled arrival and departure times;

• Staying in the specific Transit Area (means no clearing immigration, no re-checking your luggage).

However, the problem is often you will need to leave the transit area and clear custom, for one reason or another. For example, you have to re-check your luggage to the final destination since the airline does not do it for you, or simply because your connecting flight does not leave on the same day and you want to spend the night in a hotel outside the area, etc.

In all these cases, you officially enter the Indonesia, you must apply in advance for an entry or get a Visa on Arrival in order to transit through Indonesia.

Is it possible to get a Transit Visa on arrival in Indonesian airports?

Tourist and Transit Visa on arrival is available for nationals of these 52 countries and territories. A transit visa for up to 7 (seven) days costs US$10.00, and a tourist visa for up to 30 (thirty) days costs US$25.00.

Nationalities not listed above should obtain a visa prior to departure.

Visa Free Entry and Visa on Arrival facilities are available at the Immigration check-point at these ports and airports.

What's the validity of a Tourist Visa for Indonesia? How long can I stay in Indonesia with the Tourist Visa?

Tourist visas are valid for 30 days, your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th day. Tourist visas may only be extended due to natural disaster, illness or accident, and cannot be transferred to another type of visa.

You can get a 60 day visa in your home country (you have up to 3 months from date of application to enter Indonesia where you will then get your 60 day stamp) or at one of the countries close to Indonesia like Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore. I have received 60 day visas from both Singapore and Penang in 2006 without any problems. Usually takes about 3 days and you will need a passport that has at least 12 months left on it, two passport photos, photocopy of the first page of your passport and money to pay for the 60 day visa.)

Visa on Arrival is usually not extendable and not convertible into other types of visa.

Overstay visitors incur a penalty of US$20 per day for under 60 days of overstay. More than 60 days overstay may incur a 5 years prison sentence or a fine of IDR25.000.000.

What other types of visas that Indonesia offer?

You can apply for the following visa if your visit purpose to Indonesia is fall under the category as mentioned:

• Business Visas
• Employment Visas
• Social - Cultural Visas
• Bali Retirement Visas
• Visa on Arrival (VOA)

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