Types of Indonesian Visas, Their Uses, and Application Fees

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A visa is a document that permits a person to enter a country. Indonesia provides various types of visas at different costs, depending on the purposes of the visit.

According to the Indonesian immigration website, Imigrasi.go.id, a visa is an authorization that a country grants to foreign nationals to enter that country. Unlike passports, which are issued by the country of origin, visas are issued by the country of destination. However, not all countries require a visa for every visitor. 

Indonesia offers several visa options for foreigners planning to visit the vast archipelago. Please note that visa regulations are subject to change without notice, so it is advisable to check with immigration or reliable agencies.

Here are the types of visas available in Indonesia:

1. Diplomatic Visa

According to Article 35 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on immigration, diplomatic visas are specifically for foreign citizens possessing diplomatic passports for diplomatic purposes. The holders are allowed to travel to Indonesian territory, and the visa will be the basis for a residence permit. This visa application is free of charge.

2. Service Visa

A service visa is issued to foreign citizens bearing a service passport for non-diplomatic purposes in Indonesia, according to Article 36 of the Immigration Law. The application for this visa is also free of charge.

3. Visitor Visa

This visa is issued to foreign nationals traveling to Indonesia for government official visits, education, socio-cultural visits, tourism, business, family visits, journalism, or transit to other countries as mentioned in Article 38 of Law No. 6 of 2011.

Visitor visas have several categories, including visa on arrival (VoA). A visitor visa has a maximum validity period of 180 days from the date of issuance, with a maximum stay of 30 days after arrival. The cost varies depending on the requirements. The details are as follows:

- A single-entry visit visa is granted for a maximum of 60 days and costs Rp2 million per person.

- A single-entry visit visa is granted for a maximum of 180 days and costs Rp6 million per person.

- A single-entry visit visa for tourism purposes is granted for a maximum of 60 days and is subject to a cost of Rp1.5 million per person.

- A multiple-entry visitor visa is valid for twelve months for several trips and costs Rp3 million per person.

- A visit visa on arrival specifically for tourism is valid for 30 days and costs Rp500,000 per person.

4. Limited stay visa.

Under Article 39 of the Immigration Law, a limited stay visa is issued to foreigners who will enter and stay in the Indonesian territory for a certain time. There are two categories of limited stay visas (Vitas), namely for those who work on ships or installations in Indonesian waters and non-work, such as clergies, professionals, students, researchers, workers, investors, senior citizens, and those who marry Indonesian citizens. The maximum validity period for Vitas is two years from the arrival date. Costs vary as follows:

- Limited stay visa at US$150 per application.

- Limited stay visa on arrival at Rp700,000 per application.

- Second home limited stay visa at Rp3 million per application.

- Second home limited stay visa for followers (husband, wife, children, or parents),

- The approval of a visa by the Director General of Immigration (especially for limited stay visas) costs Rp200,000 per application.

5. Working Visa

A working visa is a type of visa regulated by Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning Worker Protection. According to this law, a working visa is granted to foreign nationals employed in Indonesia by their sponsors. The visa application is available via visa-online.imigrasi.go.id or the TKA online.

6. Free Visit Visa

The free visit visa (BVK) is regulated by Presidential Regulation No. 21/2016. It aims to strengthen Indonesia's relations with other countries. This type of visa is granted to foreigners from certain countries to travel to Indonesia without the need for a travel visa.

The application for this visa is generally free of charge and is valid for a maximum stay of 30 days and cannot be extended.

Earlier in the mid-year, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi announced the temporary suspension of the free visit visa program for 159 countries. This decision was regulated by the Law and Human Rights Minister’s Decree No. M.HH-GR.01.07 of 2023, which was ratified on June 7.

RIZKI DEWI A. | VIVIA AGARTA F.

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