Planning a trip to Labuan Bajo or anywhere in Indonesia? Before you arrive, it’s important to understand the entry rules and prepare the right documents. This guide covers everything from passport requirements to visa options, the All Indonesia Arrival Card, and the Bali tourist levy.
By following this checklist, you’ll avoid surprises at the airport and enjoy a smooth start to your journey.
Passport Requirements
Your passport is the key document for entering Indonesia. Make sure it meets the following conditions:
- Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Immigration is strict on this rule.
- Condition: Keep your passport in good shape. Passports with torn pages or water damage may not be accepted.
- Blank Pages: At least one empty page is required for immigration stamps.
- Emergency Passports: Temporary or emergency passports are not valid for Visa on Arrival (VOA). If you have one, check other visa options before you travel.
Indonesian Visa Options
Depending on your nationality and length of stay, you have several options for entering Indonesia:
Visa-Free Entry
- Visa Type: A1 – Visit Visa Exemption.
- Eligibility: Citizens of 19 countries and territories (Belarus, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, and Vietnam). See the official list.
- Duration: Up to 30 days (not extendable).
- Purpose: Tourism, family visits, meetings and transit. Official info: imigrasi.go.id.
- Limitations: Cannot be extended or changed into another visa.
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
- Visa Type: B1 – Tourist (Visa on Arrival).
- Eligibility: Citizens of 97 countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, and most of the EU.
- Duration: 30 days; extendable once for another 30 days.
- Cost: IDR 500,000 (~USD 35).
- Where to Get: Available at major airports and seaports.
- Requirements: Passport valid for 6+ months, proof of onward or return ticket, and visa fee.
Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA)
- Visa Type: B1 – Tourist (Visa on Arrival).
- Application: apply online evisa.imigrasi.go.id before departure. Official info: imigrasi.go.id.
- Duration & Cost: Same as VOA.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, or JCB.
- Benefits: Faster entry, avoid queues, and easier to extend online. Your e-VOA must be used within 90 days of the date it was issued.
- Availability: Check the e-VOA portal to see if your nationality can apply online. If not, you can still get the Visa on Arrival at the airport counter.
Tip: Use your phone to apply. The system scans your passport photo and fills in your details automatically.
Single Entry Tourist Visa
- Visa Type: C1 (formerly B211A) – Tourist Single Entry Visitor Visa.
- Duration: 60 days; extendable twice (up to 180 days in total).
- Cost: IDR 1,000,000 (~USD 65).
- Application: apply online evisa.imigrasi.go.id or through an Indonesian consulate. Official info: imigrasi.go.id.
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
- Visa Type: D1 – Tourist Multiple Entry Visa.
- Duration: Up to 60 days per visit, extendable up to 180 days in total.
- Validity: 1, 2, or 5 years.
- Cost: Starts from IDR 3,000,000 (~USD 200).
- Perfect for: Frequent travelers to Indonesia.
- Application: apply online evisa.imigrasi.go.id or through an Indonesian consulate. Official info: imigrasi.go.id.
Other Visa Types
For business, study, work, or investment visas, visit the official immigration website or contact the Indonesian embassy or consulate in your country.
Return or Onward Ticket
To enter Indonesia, you must show proof of a return or onward flight.
- Why: To make sure travelers don’t overstay their visa.
- Without It: You may be denied entry or asked to buy a ticket immediately at the airport.
- Travel Tip: Match your return flight date with the visa you’re using.
All Indonesia Arrival Card (Starting August 2025)
Indonesia now uses a unified digital arrival card that combines customs and health forms.
- Who needs it: All travelers, including Indonesian citizens.
- When to fill: Within 3 days before your flight.
- Where to apply: allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id.
- What you get: A QR code to show at immigration.
The old Customs Declaration (ecd.beacukai.go.id) and SATUSEHAT Health Pass are no longer used separately – the All Indonesia Arrival Card replaces both.
Bali Tourist Tax
If your trip includes Bali, all international visitors pay a one-time tourist levy:
- Cost: IDR 150,000 (~USD 10) per person.
- Payment Options: Online at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before you fly, or at cashless counters at the Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali.
- Purpose: Supports environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
Visiting Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park has its own entry permit, separate from your visa. Foreign visitors pay IDR 250,000 per person per day, and every visit must be booked in advance through the park’s SiOra system, usually by your tour operator with your passport details. The park also has a daily visitor quota, so book your boat trip early in peak season. Current fees and rules are in our Komodo National Park guide.
Indonesia Entry Checklist
Here’s a quick recap of what you’ll need for a smooth entry:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Return or onward ticket
- Correct visa (Visa-Free, VOA, or e-VOA)
- All Indonesia Arrival Card (digital form)
- Bali tourist tax (only if visiting Bali)
- Komodo National Park permit booked through your tour operator (if visiting the park)
Travel Tips Before You Arrive
- Book your accommodation in advance.
- Keep both digital and printed copies of your documents.
- Apply for an e-VOA online to save time at the airport.
- Double-check entry requirements before you fly — rules may change.
⚠️ Important: Official Indonesian websites use “.go.id” domains (e.g., indonesia.go.id, evisa.imigrasi.go.id). Be careful with non-official sites.
