Davita

Indonesia recently granted free Visa on Arrival (VOA) to some 45 countries...the list is searchable.

The free visa-on arrival is only available at the following points of entry:
1. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta
2. Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali
3. Kualanamu International Airport in Medan
4. Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam
5. Juanda International Airport in Surabaya.

1. Sri Bintan Pura International Port in Bintan island
2. Tanjung Uban International Port in Bintan island
3. Sekupang International Port in Batam island
4. Batam Center International Port in Batam island

What seems to be confusing and Indonesia, typically, hasn't disseminated this information well, is that if one gets a free VOA then one MUST also exit at one of those airports/ports.

The alternative is to pay US$35 to enter any port and, subsequently, exit at any port.

Davita

If anyone has heard recent information that visitors to Bali with 2 VOA's in their passports, in any one year, will not be permitted anymore.... can relax.
It was a memo issued recently as an attempt to prevent illegal foreign workers coming in on perpetual VOA...a bit like cracking a peanut with a sledgehammer.
Fortunately cooler heads have prevailed and the memo to Immigration has been cancelled.

hong_konger

Thanks for the update.

ex reg

Our maid went home to Indonesia today..
Stupid staff at Changi when looking through her passport kept asking her where was her Indonesian Visa.

The guys and women at the Departure gate were more interested in gossiping to each other than checking any documents.

Really some of the stuff in Singapore these days is beyond belief.

Davita

@ post #4

Oh dear! that's not good...I'm constantly b'ssing to Indonesians how their country should be run more like Singapore.
Maybe I should visit Singapore soon to get a new perspective.....but I'll need to save up first.

Davita

Last week the Australian Gov't announced they are changing rules regarding Indonesians visiting Australia They will be offering 3 year multi-entry visas starting 1 Jan 2016. They are also working on making it easier for Indonesians to get their visa on-line from 1 Jan 2017.
I have a feeling this may enable Indonesia to offer Australians free VOA in future.

I'll keep my eyes on this and post any news.

Davita

Indonesia just announced it will permit more contries to get free Visa On Arrival (VOA) for up to 30 days visit. Here is the list of the new countries.... Australia, Brazil, Ukraine, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Palestine, Honduras, Pakistan, Mongolia, Sierra Leone, Uruguay, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Israel, Albania, Mozambique, Macedonia, El Salvador, Zambia, Moldova, Madagascar, Georgia, Namibia, Kiribati, Armenia, Bolivia, Bhutan, Guatemala, Mauritius and Paraguay are among the countries mentioned by Rizal, whose nationals would no longer need a visa to enter Indonesia - See more at: Govt to include 84 more countries in free-entry policy | The Jakarta Post

Davita

EDIT: In its typical way the Indonesian Govt announced the above and yet have not acted on it and it's already 12 Jan 2016....

"In partial mitigation, President Widodo has mentioned Australia as included among the next batch of countries to be eligible for visa-free visits to Indonesia. When, however, Australians and others will actually begin enjoying visa-free visits remain in doubt as the enabling legislation has yet to be promulgated."

There have been so many flip-flops by this Gov't I wonder who is running the place.

Davita

Just when you think that Indonesia is at last joining the world's intelligent community it flip-flops again.
The House of Representatives Opposition Parties are now opposing the issue or free visas to so many countries. These politicians against the project say it will inspire more terrorism....how to hell going to a kiosk to proffer US$35 to get a slip of paper to show the Immigration officer can help to detect terrorists alludes me...

http://epaper.thejakartapost.com/epaper/viewer.aspx