Indonesia entry requirements for UK travellers: What visa or documents do you need?

Indonesia has a certain something that hooks you from the very first moment. It's not just Bali, which already draws in so many people; it's also Java, Komodo, and those thousands of islands that seem to appear on the map almost out of nowhere. With so many options, more and more people are considering travelling to Indonesia from the UK or other parts of the world without being entirely sure about the entry requirements.

Between visas, digital forms, and new tourist taxes, entering Indonesia in 2026 involves more details than meets the eye. At Trip.com, for example, we often see questions about whether a visa is needed for Indonesia or what documents you'll be asked for at the airport.

📌 General Entry Requirements for Indonesia

Entry rules for Indonesia depend on your nationality and the type of visa you use. While a small number of countries can still enter visa-free, most international travellers now require either a Visa on Arrival (VoA/e-VoA) or an advance eVisa before travelling.

In general, there are four main ways to enter Indonesia as a tourist:

• Visa-free entry for selected countries
• Visa on Arrival (VoA/e-VoA), the most common option
• Advance eVisa for nationalities not eligible for VoA
• Calling Visa for restricted countries requiring special approval

Some of the most common entry categories are listed below:

🖥️ What Is Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VOA) and How to Apply?

The Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VOA) is the most popular tourist visa for those heading to the country for a holiday. You can get it directly upon arrival at the airport, with no need to sort out any paperwork before your trip.

This type of visa is designed for short stays, and the process is usually quite quick at international airports like Bali or Jakarta. Once you land, simply head to the Visa on Arrival counter, pay the relevant fee, and go through immigration control.

Here's how it works:

1. You arrive at an international airport in Indonesia
2. Find the Visa on Arrival (VOA) area
3. You make the visa payment
4. You receive your visa and continue on to immigration.

That said, although the system is well-organised at the main airports, it's a good idea to have a card or cash ready to speed up your entry into the country.

Key facts about Indonesia's Visa on Arrival

💻 What is an e-VOA and how do you apply for it before you travel?

The Indonesia e-VOA is the online version of the Visa on Arrival. It works in the same way, but you can apply for it from home before your trip. This means you arrive in Indonesia with your visa already approved, helping you skip some of the queues at immigration, especially at busy airports like Bali.

The process is quite straightforward, and approval usually arrives within a few hours or on the same day.

How to apply for the Indonesia e-VOA step by step

1. Head over to the official Indonesia immigration portal
2. Create an account with your email
3. Complete your personal and passport details
4. Upload a photo or copy of your passport
5. Make your payment online using an international card
6. Receive your e-VOA by email
7. Show it to immigration when you arrive in Indonesia

Differences between VOA and e-VOA for Indonesia

📲 What Is the Indonesia Arrival Card and How to Fill It Out?

The All Indonesia Arrival Card is a mandatory digital form that you must complete before entering Indonesia. It has replaced the old paper form that used to be handed out during flights. The process is entirely online and usually takes just a few minutes. Once submitted, you will receive a QR code that you'll need to show upon arrival in the country.

How do I complete the Indonesia Arrival Card?

1. Head over to the official website before your trip
2. Click on the "Foreign visitors" section
3. Enter your personal and passport details
4. Add your flight and accommodation details
5. Submit the online form up to 3 days before your trip
6. Save the generated QR code
7. Show it to immigration when you arrive in Indonesia

Although the form is free of charge, it is mandatory for entry into the country, so it's best to complete it before you fly to avoid any issues at the airport.

Key facts about the Indonesia Arrival Card

📋 Mandatory Entry Requirements for Indonesia

Even if you have an approved Indonesia Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, this doesn't automatically guarantee entry into the country. Upon arrival, immigration authorities may ask for various documents to verify your stay, so it's best to have everything prepared before you travel.

Here's what they are:

📘 Valid passport

Your passport must have at least 6 months' validity remaining from your date of entry into Indonesia. You'll also need 2 blank pages available for immigration stamps. It's also important that your document is in good condition, as damaged passports can cause issues at border control.

🎫 Outbound ticket

The authorities may ask for proof of onward travel to ensure you won't exceed your permitted length of stay. This could be a return ticket to your home country or a flight to another international destination. In fact, some airlines will even check this before letting you board.

🏨 Book your stay

They might also ask for details about where you'll be staying during your trip. A confirmed hotel or villa booking is usually all you need. If you're staying at someone's home, an invitation letter can also do the trick. Having your booking saved on your mobile is generally sufficient.

💳 Sufficient travel funds

The Indonesian authorities may also ask you to prove that you have enough funds to cover your stay as a tourist. Although there is no exact official figure published, it is generally considered reasonable to have between £40 and £90 per day of your trip.

You can prove this using bank cards, cash, bank statements, or mobile finance apps. Also, if you're travelling with more than 100,000,000 IDR (approx. £4,900) in cash, you must declare it upon entering the country.

📝 Indonesia Travel Checklist

🏝️ Bali Tourist Tax: Who Needs to Pay and How Much Is It?

Since 2024, Bali has implemented a mandatory tourist tax for all international travellers visiting the island. It's not expensive, but it is one more requirement for entering Indonesia. This tax was created to protect the natural environment and local culture, which makes perfect sense given the amount of tourism Bali receives each year.

Here's what you need to know:

• The current cost is 150,000 Indonesian rupiah, which is approximately £6.50-£8.00.
• It's a one-off payment per entry to Bali, not per day.
• Applies to most international tourists

It's best to pay online via the official Love Bali portal before you travel. And here's the trick: doing it in advance saves you time when you arrive.

What's more, the process for paying the Bali tourist tax is quite straightforward:

1. Access the official Love Bali portal
2. Enter your personal and travel details
3. Make the payment by card
4. You'll receive a digital voucher with a QR code

💉 Health Requirements and Vaccinations for Indonesia

When it comes to vaccinations for travelling to Indonesia, many people assume there are complex mandatory requirements, but in reality, that's rarely the case. As a general rule, you don't need any mandatory vaccinations if you're travelling from Europe or Latin America. Just remember that there can be important exceptions that are worth checking before you set off on your adventure.

To get us on the same page, here are the basics:

• Yellow fever: only mandatory if you are arriving from a country with a risk of transmission.
• If you have a long layover in one of those countries, they might ask you for it too.
• In that case, you'll need the international certificate of vaccination

However, here's the nuance. Although they aren't mandatory, there are several vaccinations recommended for travelling to Indonesia, especially if you're planning to hop between islands or venture off the beaten track away from tourist areas.

Recommended vaccinations for your trip to Indonesia

Also, remember that staying in hotels in Bali is quite different from exploring rural areas or getting stuck into more adventurous activities. What's more, there are a few basic health tips that can really make all the difference when travelling to Indonesia:

• Avoid drinking tap water; it's always best to stick to bottled.
• Use mosquito repellent, especially at dusk.
• Pack a small travel first-aid kit with the essentials.

⏳ How Long Can You Stay in Indonesia?

Most travellers entering with the Visa on Arrival (VOA) or the Indonesian e-VOA can stay in the country for up to 30 days. This is the standard period for tourist trips and is usually plenty of time to explore destinations like Bali, Java, or the Gili Islands without having to rush.

That said, the good news is that this visa can be extended once you're in Indonesia. The extension allows you to add another 30 days, bringing your total tourist stay to a maximum of 60 days without needing to leave the country. You can process your Indonesian visa extension at immigration offices, or in many cases, have local agencies take care of the process for you.

What happens if you overstay your permitted time in Indonesia?

If you stay in Indonesia longer than authorised without extending your visa, immigration penalties apply immediately. Even overstaying by just one day can result in a fine, as Indonesia does not offer a grace period.

The standard overstay penalty is:

In more serious cases, overstaying can also lead to:

• Immigration questioning
• Problems entering Indonesia in the future
• Deportation or temporary entry bans for long overstays

That's why it's a good idea to double-check your entry and exit dates before you travel and keep an eye on the length of your stay to avoid any hiccups at immigration. In practice, between the initial 30 days and the possibility of an extension, most tourists have more than enough time to explore Indonesia at their own pace.

💰 How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Indonesia?

How much it costs to travel to Indonesia depends quite a bit on how you plan your trip, but the truth is that it remains a fairly affordable destination compared to other places.

You can travel on a budget or really level up without breaking the bank. To give you a clear idea, here's a pretty realistic estimated budget:

💸 Approximate Travel Budget for Indonesia

🧩 Indonesia Travel Guides