Important update — 16 October 2026: Indonesia’s former visa-free policy for 169 countries is historical and must not be used as today’s eligibility list. Visa rules have changed considerably since Presidential Regulation No. 21 of 2016. Before booking a flight or ferry, check the traveller’s nationality, passport type, travel purpose and intended entry point against the current Indonesian Immigration Directorate’s rules.

On an official immigration list updated 7 October 2026, the general bebas visa kunjungan (visa-free visit) tab lists 17 countries and special administrative regions, rather than the 169 in the old policy. Many other travellers may qualify for a paid Visa on Arrival (VoA) or electronic VoA (e-VoA), while others require a visa approved before departure. Eligibility can change, so the official list remains the deciding reference.

Use this revised guide to understand the difference between visa-free entry, VoA and pre-arranged visas, along with passport requirements, the All Indonesia arrival declaration and customs rules. For additional context, read our general visa and immigration guide, Indonesia visa categories and our e-VoA background article. These internal resources are supplementary; government guidance takes precedence wherever pages disagree.

Indonesia Entry Rules: Quick Comparison

The current government visa-category directory identifies A1 tourism visa exemption and other visitor visa codes. Do not assume that a visa granted for tourism automatically permits paid work, journalism, commercial activities or indefinite residence.

Which Countries Are Visa-Free for Indonesia in October 2026?

The following names were listed in the visa-exemption tab of an immigration-office page updated on 7 October 2026. This is a dated snapshot, not a promise that the list or the conditions will remain unchanged for your departure date.

Nationality is not the only consideration. Your actual passport and travel purpose, intended port of entry and any special restrictions still matter. Check the original official list rather than relying on the old table of 169 countries or advice passed through travel forums. For travellers considering a Batam day trip from Singapore or a short visit to Bintan, ferry port eligibility and departure checks are particularly important.

What About Australian, British, American or European Passports?

Do not assume those passports automatically have visa-free access simply because they appeared among the original 169 countries. Several may instead be eligible for a paid VoA or e-VoA under the current official list. Search your exact nationality in the Visa on Arrival tab of the immigration authority’s directory before making plans.

Can Visa-Free Entry Be Extended?

According to the immigration authority’s description of the standard short visa-exemption stay, visa-free tourism generally allows a maximum of 30 days without extension. A traveller who needs longer must choose an appropriate visa route in advance rather than assuming a tourist exemption can be converted at a local office. See the Ngurah Rai Immigration’s current foreign-national services and applicable visa terms.

VoA vs e-VoA vs a Pre-Arranged Visa

Visa on Arrival

The paid Visa on Arrival is different from visa-free entry. Eligible travellers may be granted a short visit stay, commonly 30 days; under applicable rules it may be possible to extend that stay once. The exact fee, extension channel and documentation should be checked at the time of the application because the programme is a regulated immigration service.

Which Activities Are Permitted?

The allowed activities depend on the chosen visa index, not merely the casual term “tourist visa”. Travellers intending to work, conduct journalism, undertake formal study or stay with family for a longer period should confirm the appropriate category with Immigration.

Electronic Visa on Arrival

The e-VoA is the online version available to eligible travellers. Use Indonesia’s official e-Visa portal instead of unverified third-party sites that may charge unnecessary fees. Match your name, nationality, passport number and arrival details to your travel document, and retain the official proof of approval.

Our e-Visa explainer may help explain the administrative process, but always follow the live government application prompts and requirements.

Pre-Arranged Visitor and Longer-Stay Visas

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or a VoA, or whose activity does not match those categories, may need an approved visa before travelling. Some visit visas require more supporting documentation or sponsorship. Do not equate an extended tourism itinerary, business employment and a social visit. Older articles that refer to B211A as a “visa on arrival” may blur different categories; see our historical B211A visa article only for context, and check the visa index in force now.

What Documents Do International Visitors Need?

Valid Passport and Proof of Onward Travel

For many standard short-stay tourism categories, Immigration requires a passport valid for at least six months and evidence of return or onward travel. Individual visas or travel-document types may carry additional requirements. Verify your specific eligibility with the government portal and your airline or ferry company, especially if your passport is damaged or you hold an emergency document.

Keep the Details Consistent

Names, passport number and date of birth must match the application, airline ticket and entry document. A recently renewed passport may require updated visa details. Immigration officers retain authority over admission under applicable rules even where a traveller appears eligible for an entry facility.

All Indonesia Arrival Declaration

Since 1 October 2025, international arrivals are required to complete the integrated All Indonesia arrival declaration, covering immigration, customs and related arrival questions. The form is free and can be submitted within the period permitted by the platform, typically starting three days before arrival. Use the official All Indonesia portal and keep the generated confirmation or QR code available.

The declaration is not a substitute for a visa. Both steps may be needed. The immigration authority’s January 2026 instructions explain the account and form process. Save confirmation files before the trip if mobile internet may be unreliable at arrival.

Where Can Visitors Enter Indonesia?

The original article claimed that all 169 nationalities could use 124 immigration checkpoints. That statement dates to the former regime and must not be treated as today’s list. The eligible checkpoints vary by visa category, nationality and active border services.

Airports

International routes may arrive at Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Ngurah Rai (Bali), Juanda (Surabaya) and other airports, but international flight service and immigration permissions are separate checks. Verify your specific arrival airport against the currently authorised entry-point list.

Seaports and Ferries

Batam and Bintan have several international ferry terminals with differing operator schedules and immigration facilities. Check the government official list of e-VoA entry points plus the ferry operator’s actual route before booking. For wider context see Indonesia’s ports and maritime gateways.

Land Borders and Remote Destinations

Not every land crossing permits every visa category. Those planning journeys near Kalimantan borders, Papua or Timor-Leste should verify authorised entry points rather than relying on a generic map of border towns. For a domestic itinerary after arrival, see Pontianak in West Kalimantan or Komodo National Park, remembering that reaching a destination domestically is distinct from satisfying international entry requirements.

Archived 2016 Country and Entry-Point Charts

Historical material — not a current eligibility list. These six images are preserved exactly from the previous version for source continuity. They illustrate the older regulation and its former country, airport, seaport and land-border lists. Do not use the photographs below to choose a visa or entry port for a 2026 journey.

Archive image 1: former visa-free country list under the 2016 policy; superseded for present-day travel decisions.

Archive image 2: continuation of the historic country chart; not an active eligibility table.

Archive image 3: additional historical country and policy information; check Immigration’s current official list.

Archive image 4: historic airport list; current visa-specific entry points may differ.

Archive image 5: historic seaport list; use live immigration and ferry operator information.

Archive image 6: historic land-border entries; do not rely on old lists for current permission.

Customs Rules and What Visitors Must Declare

Personal Goods, Allowances and Inspections

Customs procedures are separate from the visa granted by Immigration. The current Directorate General of Customs passenger guidance explains allowances for personal baggage, declarations, restricted items and relevant duties. Do not rely on the original article’s old descriptions of perfumes, cameras, video cassettes or a blanket ban on particular national-language publications.

Alcohol and Tobacco Allowances

According to the current official Customs passenger page, qualifying passengers aged 21 or older may receive an excise exemption for up to one litre of alcoholic beverage. The published tobacco allowances include 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 100 grams of cut tobacco under applicable age, proportional and classification rules. The former article’s 50-cigar figure is no longer the correct published allowance. Always check the official page for details and updates.

Cash and Valuable Electronics

Carrying substantial cash or newly purchased communications equipment may trigger declaration and registration obligations. Follow the current Customs and All Indonesia instructions and declare honestly. Check our electronics and power-plug guide for unrelated practical charging information; it is not a customs exemption guide.

Extra Travel Planning for Bali, Jakarta and Beyond

Bali’s Foreign Tourist Levy Is Separate

Visiting Bali may also involve a provincial foreign-tourist levy, administered separately from immigration visas. The official Love Bali FAQ explains its standard IDR 150,000 payment, as well as the exemption process and electronic payment options. Confirm eligibility and keep the proper receipt. For holiday planning, see our Canggu guide and three days in Bali.

Time Zones, Language and Onward Routes

Indonesia spans three time zones, so compare your arrival port time to onward flights and ferries using our time-zone guide. Knowing some essential Bahasa Indonesia phrases can help you ask for directions or explain an issue at a local transport counter. Travellers extending their stay to the capital can explore Kota Tua Jakarta after entry formalities are complete.

Researching Travel Seasons

Visa eligibility does not guarantee that your chosen island is at its best season for diving, hiking or boating. Compare expected weather and local tour conditions—for example, with Bali weather and best travel times—and avoid non-refundable activity bookings before your travel documents are in order.

Before You Fly: Six-Step Checklist

1. Look up your exact nationality and passport on the immigration authority’s latest visa-free and VoA lists.
2. Select the correct visa category for your travel purpose, and apply through the official portal if necessary.
3. Check passport validity, return or onward ticket and entry-point eligibility.
4. Complete your free All Indonesia arrival declaration within the authorised submission window.
5. Review official Customs rules and any Bali-specific levy or local obligations.
6. Carry your approvals, confirmations and receipts, and recheck requirements shortly before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indonesia Still Visa-Free for 169 Countries?

No. The 169-country list belongs to an older regulation. An immigration-office list updated on 7 October 2026 contains 17 countries and territories under its current standard visa-exemption tab. Always check again near travel.

Are Visa-Free Entry and Visa on Arrival the Same?

No. Visa-free entry carries no VoA fee and has its own eligibility and stay conditions. VoA is a separately regulated visitor visa available to an official list of qualifying travellers.

Can I Stay Longer than 30 Days on a Visa Exemption?

Standard short-stay visa exemption is not extendable. Choose the appropriate visa in advance if you may need longer or intend a different activity.

Does All Indonesia Replace an e-Visa?

No. It is an arrival declaration. A traveller who needs a visa must also obtain the correct immigration authorisation.

Does the Bali Levy Apply to Every Visitor?

The provincial levy applies to foreign tourists subject to exceptions and exemptions. Confirm your situation with Love Bali rather than assuming a visa-exempt traveller is automatically levy-exempt.

Official Immigration, Customs and Travel Sources

• Indonesian Immigration — Visa-Free, VoA and Entry-Point Lists (updated 7 October 2026)
• Indonesian Immigration — Visa Category Directory
• Official Indonesia e-Visa Application
• All Indonesia — Official Arrival Declaration
• Ngurah Rai Immigration — Visitor Requirements
• Indonesian Customs — Passenger Goods
• Bali Provincial Government — Foreign Tourist Levy FAQ

Original Article’s External References

The older edition included these government and tourism URLs. They are retained as historical provenance; websites, paths or historical descriptions may no longer reflect current rules.

• Archived source 1
• Archived source 2
• Archived source 3
• Archived source 4

For more travel ideas, follow iseeindonesia.com.