Us Citizens: Can They Travel To Indonesia?

US citizens are allowed to travel to Indonesia, but they must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of their arrival. They can apply for a visa-on-arrival if staying for tourism, family visitation, or other purposes for 30 days or less. The Visa-on-Arrival costs $35 and may be extended for a maximum of 30 days by applying at the Indonesian immigration office. Indonesia requires two blank passport pages, and travelers without these may be denied entry and advised to obtain a new passport.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens are required to have a visa to enter Indonesia. This can be obtained on arrival at some international airports, seaports, or land crossings. The visa on arrival is valid for up to 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days. The visa on arrival costs 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah (about $35).

Alternatively, travellers can apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) in advance. The eVisa is valid for up to 30 days and can be used for tourism, business, transit, or conferences. The application for the eVisa must be submitted at least 3 days before travelling. The eVisa costs $35 and is usually approved within 3 days.

To enter Indonesia, travellers must have a passport with at least two blank pages and six months of validity from the date of entry. A limited-validity passport will not be accepted without a prior Indonesian visa.

Passport validity and other entry requirements

To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Indonesian authorities regularly deny entry to foreign nationals who arrive with less than six months' validity on their passports. The US Embassy cannot obtain entry permission for Americans in this situation. Travellers will be required to go to Singapore or a nearby country to obtain a new US passport.

Your passport must also have two blank pages. Travellers without two blank visa pages in their passport may be denied entry and advised to obtain a new US passport.

US citizens may apply for a visa on arrival if staying for tourism, family visitation, or other purposes for 30 days or less. The Visa on Arrival costs $35 USD and may be extended for a maximum of 30 days by applying at the immigration office in Indonesia.

Indonesia enforces its immigration and visa requirements strictly. Several Westerners, including Americans, have been jailed for visa violations and/or overstays. Violators may also be subject to substantial fines and/or deportation from Indonesia for immigration and visa violations. Immigration officials have also detained people for conducting business, academic, or other non-tourist activities while on a tourist visa. Volunteer work with local or international NGOs is not permitted on a tourist visa. Penalties for such immigration/visa violations may include a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of 25 million rupiah.

Visa extensions and overstays

Visa Extensions

Indonesia offers five categories of visas for foreign nationals:

• Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days)
• Arrival Visa (valid for 30 days)
• Multiple-Entry Business Visa (valid for 1 year but with a 60-day stay permit)
• Single-Entry Business Visa (valid for 60 days)
• Socio-Cultural Visa (valid for 60 days)

The B-211 Visa, which includes the Social, Cultural, and Tourist Visa, initially permits stays of up to 60 days and can be extended three times, with each extension providing an additional 30 days. The total maximum stay is 150 days.

To extend your visa, visit an Indonesian immigration office with your passport and original visa, which should be valid for at least another six months. If a sponsor is required, you will also need a photocopy of their identity card. You will need to fill out papers, provide the necessary documents, and pay a charge. The cost of an Indonesia visa extension is IDR 350,000 (about USD $26), plus extra expenses for fingerprinting and other procedures.

It is best to begin the procedure at least a week (preferably ten days) before the existing visa expires. Processing visa extension requests can take time, and it may require repeated visits to the immigration office. According to regulations, you must renew your visa on arrival at least 7 working days before it expires, and a social-cultural visa at least 14 working days before.

Overstays

If you overstay your visa, you are subject to a fine of 1 million Indonesian rupiah (about $70 USD) per day and may be detained and deported. Overstaying your Indonesian visa for more than 60 days may result in prosecution, with penalties of up to 5 years in jail or a fine of up to Rp 500,000,000 (about USD $34,640).

Safety and security concerns

Indonesia is a Level 2 country, meaning that US citizens should exercise increased caution due to terrorism and natural disasters. Some areas, such as the provinces of Central Papua and Highland Papua, have an increased risk of civil unrest and are assigned a Level 4 advisory, indicating that travel to these areas should be avoided.

Terrorists in Indonesia continue to plot possible attacks and may target police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets, shopping malls, and restaurants. They may attack with little or no warning, so it is important to monitor local media for breaking news and be prepared to adjust your plans.

Indonesia is also prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, which can cause disruptions to transportation, infrastructure, sanitation, and health services. It is recommended to visit the websites of the Indonesian Geological Agency for the latest information on natural disasters.

Demonstrations and protests occur frequently in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, Surabaya, and other large cities, and they have the potential to become violent. US citizens are advised to avoid demonstrations and crowds, as even peaceful gatherings can turn violent.

In addition, Indonesia's revised criminal code, which takes effect in January 2026, includes penalties for defamation, blasphemy, cohabitation, and sex outside of marriage. It is unclear how Indonesian authorities will implement this revised code.

To ensure your safety and security in Indonesia, it is recommended to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency. It is also important to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and to follow the US Department of State and US Embassy Jakarta on social media for updates.

Local laws and customs

Indonesia is a diverse country with a multitude of cultures, laws, and customs. Here are some key points regarding local laws and customs that US citizens should be aware of when travelling to Indonesia:

Religion and Culture

Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, and alcohol drinking is prohibited and frowned upon by religious law. However, due to the country's cultural diversity, there are currently no alcohol bans in Indonesia, except in the province of Aceh. Drinking in most public places, such as workplaces, schools, malls, and outdoor/indoor public spaces, is prohibited. Driving under the influence of alcohol is also illegal. The legal drinking age in Indonesia is 21, and those caught drinking below this age will face serious punishment or charges.

During the holy month of Ramadan, it is important to be respectful and avoid any actions that may cause offence. This includes wearing appropriate clothing when visiting religious areas or sites.

Drugs

Indonesia has strict laws regarding illegal drugs, with capital punishments for possession and trafficking. Possession is punishable by 4 to 12 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from IDR 800 million to 8 billion (US$89,600 to US$896,000). Trafficking can result in 5 to 15 years of imprisonment and fines of IDR one billion to ten billion (US$112,000 to US$1.2 million). If the volume of drugs exceeds certain thresholds, life imprisonment or even the death penalty may be imposed.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in public places, including healthcare facilities, educational institutions, places of worship, and public transport. Children's facilities, both indoor and outdoor, are also smoke-free zones. Designated smoking areas are mandatory in other public places and office buildings.

Gambling

Gambling is illegal in Indonesia and is punishable by law. Tourists have lost large sums of money to organised gambling gangs.

Identification

Foreign visitors are required to carry their passports with them at all times as a form of identification. Although it is unlikely that you will need to show your passport, there is a possibility that you may be asked to do so by immigration officers.

Frequently asked questions