Indonesia is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and hospitable locals. To make your travels to Indonesia hassle-free, the country offers a convenient visa option known as the Indonesia Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA). In this article, we will delve into all aspects of the electronic VOA, including its definition, prerequisites, the application process, validity period, and eligibility criteria.

What is the electronic Visa on Arrival?

The Indonesia electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) is an innovative system introduced by the Indonesian government for foreigners who visit Indonesia for the purpose of tourism, government visits, business meeting, good purchasing, transit, or pre-investment. The system allows visitors to apply for their visas online, prior to their arrival to Indonesia, eliminating the need for a physical visa application at an Indonesian embassy or consulate as well as avoiding the line at the VoA counter at the immigration checkpoint. The e-VoA is a single-entry visa that is valid for 30 days stay in Indonesia, the validity period is 90 days. If foreign visitors holding an e-VOA enter Indonesia beyond this 90-day period, they are required to apply for a new e-VOA or apply for a visa on arrival upon arrival at the airport. The e-VoA fee must be paid online using a credit or debit card, and a printout of the approved e-Visa must be presented upon arrival in Indonesia. The e-VoA system has been implemented to streamline the visa application process and make it more convenient and efficient for visitors. If you prefer the Visa on Arrival option, this guide will be helpful.

What documents are required for Indonesia e-VoA?

To be eligible to apply for the Indonesia e-VoA, visitors must hold a passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry into Indonesia. The required documents for the e-VoA application include:

  • Photo/scan of your biography passport page with at least 6 months validity from the date of your arrival to Indonesia (format JPG/JPEG/PNG)
  • Recent passport-sized photo (width 35 mm, height 45 mm, resolution 600 dpi), format JPG/JPEG/PNG
  • An email address
  • Valid credit or debit card to make payment for the visa fee of 500,000 IDR

Payment is only accepted by Mastercard, Visa, and JCB credit/debit cards. The card is not required to be under your name. Make sure that your card has a "3D Secure System" and is open to international transactions. Every payment via a credit or debit card will incur additional fees according to the financial institution's regulations. After the e-VoA is approved, a printout of the approved e-Visa must be presented upon arrival in Indonesia. Immigration Officer may ask for your return or onward ticket.

How do I apply for Indonesia e-Voa?

To obtain the Indonesia e-VoA, applicants need to provide essential personal and travel details by completing an online application form available on the official Republic of Indonesia Directorate General of Immigration official website. Beware of unauthorized websites that offer assistance with acquiring the Indonesian e-VOA for a fee, as they are not affiliated with the Indonesian government.

Before submitting e-VOA, you must create an account in which you will need to fill in data, upload documents, receive a verification email, and activate the account by clicking "activate" on the verification email which must be confirmed within one hour. After logging in to your account, you can apply for e-Voa by choosing a visa type and filling out travel information, such as arrival and residence information in Indonesia, and making a payment. The payment must be made within 120 minutes of completing the payment confirmation page. Otherwise, the system will not accept payment, and you will need to create a new request.

 The form must be submitted along with the required documents and the VoA payment. The processing time is typically 1-3 working days, after which the approved e-VoA will be sent to the applicant's email and will also be available in your account. The e-VoA system is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, with clear instructions and helpful information provided throughout the application process; however, it is recommended to apply for an e-VoA no less than five days prior to the date of your arrival. Immigration Officers at the ports of entry can verify your e-VOA in their system. However, you are advised to keep your e-VOA document with you either as a soft copy (on a tablet pc, smartphone, etc.) or as a hardcopy in case of any failure in the system.

Do I qualify for Indonesia e-Voa?

The Indonesia e-VOA is accessible to citizens of the following 86 countries: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican, and Vietnam.

Nevertheless, eligibility for the e-VOA can change, and it's recommended to check with your local Indonesian embassy or consular office before traveling. Visitors from eligible countries are encouraged to take advantage of the e-VoA system to simplify the visa application process and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience when they arrive in Indonesia.

To sum up, the Electronic Visa on Arrival is the most hassle-free and uncomplicated alternative for individuals planning a short-term trip to Indonesia. By adhering to the requirements and guidelines discussed in this article, you can look forward to experiencing all the attractions that Indonesia has to offer. Whether you're captivated by the country's stunning natural landscapes, its diverse cultural heritage, or its warm and welcoming people, the Indonesia VOA is an excellent way to embark on your journey.