What do you need to legally stay in Indonesia? This question is of interest not only to those who are planning a short holiday but also to those who are going to spend the winter in the islands. The largest state in Southeast Asia is a highly sought-after tourist destination. Let’s look at what visa requirements overseas nationals must follow and how long you can stay in the country.
Contents:
- Visa regime between Indonesia and other countries
- How many days you can stay in Indonesia without a visa
- Extension of stay over 90 days in Indonesia
- Investor and property owner visa
- Conclusions
Visa regime between Indonesia and other countries
Citizens of most countries need a visa on arrival (VOA). You can get a VOA stamp on your passport at one of the international airports located in Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Batam, and Bali. It is also possible to get a visa in Indonesia at seaports upon arrival on cruise ships. How long can you stay in Indonesia with a VOA? The maximum duration is 30 days, which is extendable once for the same period. Each day of overstay leads to heavy fines. The VOA fee is $35 and is payable at the airport/seaport. You can also apply for a tourist visa (B211A) in advance. This type is valid for 60 days and is extendable twice for another 60 days. From June 2023, travellers no longer need proof of vaccination or PCR testing.
Short-term visa document requirements
Here are the documents you need:
- Valid passport. It is important that the passport validity must be at least 6 months from the entry date.
- Proof of accommodation. You may provide a hotel reservation, an agreement if you rent an apartment in Indonesia, or an invitation letter from the host.
- Insurance to cover medical services.
- Tickets. A round-trip ticket must be provided as proof of departure from the country.
How many days you can stay in Indonesia without a visa
In fact, you cannot spend more than 30 days in Indonesia without a visa obtained in advance. If you do not need a longer period, you can enter the country with a sticker, which is affixed at the airport upon arrival. A longer visit requires the appropriate type of permit. It is important to note that the purpose of the VOA is only tourism. It does not allow you to engage in studies or employment. Therefore, if your purpose is business, an appropriate visa is required, which allows you to do business for 60 days after each arrival.
Extension of stay over 90 days in Indonesia
Obtaining a visit visa allows you to secure a longer period of permitted stay in the country. Its validity period is 60 days, and you must have a sponsor. Sponsorship is usually provided by relevant agencies. The document can be subsequently extended for 30 days, providing 90 days stay in Indonesia. The maximum number of such extensions is 4. Thus, foreign citizens can stay in the island nation for up to 180 days.
Another way to holiday in Indonesia over 90 days does not require preparing any paperwork. It is enough to leave the island nation at the end of the 60-day period of your extended VOA, travelling to one of the neighbouring visa-free countries and then entering back.
Investor and property owner visa
In September 2023, the country introduced golden investor visas. You can now obtain a 5- or even 10-year residence permit. To get a 5-year permit, you must establish a company in the state and invest more than $2.5 million in it. For a 10-year permit, you need at least $5 million. Another way to take part in the programme is to purchase shares of public companies or government bonds, or open a deposit account with over $350,000. Such investments will allow you to live in the country for 5 years. If you are willing to spend $700,000 on securities, you can live in the islands for up to 10 years. Golden visa holders are permitted to enter and leave the island nation an unlimited number of times without having to submit requests to immigration centres.
There are also preferential conditions for retirees who have reached 55 years of age. To obtain a residence permit, they only need to confirm an income of at least $18,000 per year, find property in Indonesia to live in, and hire at least 2 local citizens as service personnel. A document is issued for a year and is extendable. The maximum validity is 5 years, after which the retiree may become permanent residents.
It is important to note that this type of permit does not allow you to work. The retiree is expected to spend money in the country rather than earn it.
Conclusions
Foreign nationals can stay on the territory of the state long-term. The specific duration of your visit depends on the type of visa. The cost of fees also varies. It is worth checking the entry requirements in more detail immediately before the trip, since legislation and current rules may change with the adoption of new types of entry permits.
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