Discontent with Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival (VOA) program is a common complaint for individuals planning travel in 2025. Although the VOA was intended to ease entry for tourism and business travelers, a long progression of regulatory amendments, shifting lists of eligibilities, and changes to extension processes has led many to question exactly how the system works.
More recent changes in June 2025 requirement that all visitors appear in person at an immigration agency to renew visas, including the recording of biometric data—have added additional layers of complexity. Meanwhile, the simultaneous coexistence of old-fashioned VOA, electronic VOA (e-VOA), and intermittent additions to the list of eligible countries have further muddied the waters for visitors trying to determine the appropriate procedure for their needs.
This article demystifies the new VOA requirements, spells out the latest regulatory updates, and explains the step-by-step process of acquiring and renewing a Visa on Arrival in Indonesia for 2025. Whatever your travel style like first-time visitor or seasoned traveller – keeping up with these changing rules is essential to a hassle-free entry and stay in Indonesia.
- Source: Jue Huang on Unsplash
What is the Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VoA)?
The Pros and Cons of Using Visa on Arrival in Indonesia
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Obtain visa upon arrival without prior application, ideal for spontaneous trips. | Valid for 30 days initially, with only one 30-day extension allowed. |
| Fixed cost of IDR 500,000 (~$30–35 USD). | Leaving Indonesia requires a new visa for re-entry. |
| Cash in IDR, USD, Euro, AUD; some airports accept cards; e-VOA available. | Since June 1st, 2025, visa extensions require in-person visits for biometric data. |
| Issued at major airports and seaports including Bali and Jakarta. | Long waiting times at visa counters during busy periods. |
| One-time extension for 30 additional days possible. | Mainly for tourism, business, or social visits; not suitable for work or study. |
| Online application and payment available to save time at arrival. | Passport must be surrendered during visa processing, causing inconvenience |
Countries Eligible and Not Eligible for Indonesia Visa on Arrival in 2025
Additionally, there is a group of countries whose citizens are exempt from paying the VOA fee and are granted visa-free entry for up to 30 days. These visa-exempt countries are primarily ASEAN neighbors and nearby nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor Leste (added in 2023). However, this visa-free entry is not extendable; travelers planning to stay longer than 30 days must obtain a paid VOA.
How to Get a Visa on Arrival Indonesia
1. Confirm that your nationality is among the 97 countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) or electronic Visa on Arrival (VoA) in Indonesia.
2. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Have a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds (around USD 1,000 or equivalent).
3. Obtain VOA on Arrival:
- Upon arrival at designated Indonesian airports or seaports, proceed to the VOA counter before immigration.
- Fill out the visa application form and pay the visa fee (IDR 500,000 or USD 35). Payment can be made in cash (IDR, USD, Euro, AUD) or card where accepted.
- Receive the visa sticker in your passport.
4. Present your passport with the VOA sticker, arrival/departure card, and supporting documents (return ticket, proof of funds) to the immigration officer.
5. Starting June 2025, to extend your VOA for an additional 30 days, you must visit a local immigration office in person for biometric data collection and application submission.
- Source: Phil Mosley
Is Indonesia’s VoA Extendable and How?
Updates about the Biometric Data Collection for Indonesia VoA 2025
According to the policy, outlined in Circular Letter No. IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025 with initial implementation in the South Jakarta Immigration Office and a phased rollout expected across the country.
Starting May 21, 2025, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration reinstated mandatory biometric data collection for all visa extensions, including the Visa on Arrival (VOA) and electronic VOA (e-VOA). This policy requires all foreign nationals to personally visit a local immigration office to provide biometric information such as fingerprints and photographs when applying for visa extensions.
Official per June 2, 2025, online or remote visa extensions are no longer accepted; travelers must appear in person at immigration offices across Indonesia including major destinations like Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Sumatra to complete the extension process.
This new hybrid system begins with online registration but mandates in-person document verification and biometric submission, typically requiring two to three visits to the immigration office.
Read more “Indonesia Reinstates Biometric Requirement for Visa Extensions, Effective 21 May 2025”
Alternative Visa Options If You Can’t Get an Indonesia Visa on Arrival
If you are unable to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) to travel to Indonesia, several alternative visa options are available depending on your nationality, purpose of visit, and length of stay:
Type C Visa (Single Entry Visa)
Suitable for various short-term purposes such as tourism, business, study, or social visits. It offers different validity periods:
- 30-day visa (non-extendable)
- 60-day visa (extendable twice for 60 days each)
- 180-day visa (extendable once for 180 days).
Type D Visa (Multiple Entry Visa)
Designed for frequent travelers, this visa is valid for 1, 2, or 5 years with stays of 60 or 180 days per visit, extendable depending on the visa type
Type E Visa (KITAS/ITAS – Temporary Residence Permit)
For long-term stays, including work, retirement, remote work, or investment purposes. It allows multiple entries, longer validity (6 months to 10 years), and offers benefits such as the ability to work, open bank accounts, and obtain health insurance.
Bridging Visa
If you need additional time to process your KITAS or other long-term visa, or wish to switch to another type of visa without leaving Indonesia, you can apply for a bridging visa, which grants an additional 60 days of stay.
Get to know more about Indonesia Visas 2025 “Answering 15 Common Questions About Indonesia Visas 2025“
Common questions about the Indonesia Visa on Arrival (VoA)
Is the VoA valid for all Indonesian entry points?
No, VoA is only available at certain international airports and border posts. Check if your entry point issues VoA before traveling.
Can I use the VoA for work or digital nomad activities?
No, the VoA is intended for tourism, family visits, or short business meetings only. It does not legally permit working or remote work activities in Indonesia.
What happens if I overstay my VoA?
Overstaying the VoA results in fines of approximately IDR 1,000,000 per day and may lead to blacklisting or other penalties.
Extend Your Indonesia Visa on Arrival 2025 with LMI Consultancy
LMI Consultancy has been helping individuals and international companies from all over the world establish businesses in South East Asia’s most promising market, helping over 35,000 people in the process!
Formally known as Lets Move Indonesia, we are famed for being the market leading agency in Indonesia since 2016, due to our ethical and transparent approach. Our values have standardized prices across Indonesia, and we are solely responsible for making immigration and legal services in Indonesia safer for both expatriates and Indonesians.
