Indonesia is a popular tourist destination among Indian travellers. People from India throng largely to Bali for its picturesque beaches, serene outdoors and plenty of majestic structures. Getting around Bali is extremely easy, especially if you are fine riding a scooter. The scooters usually cost INR 400 a day.
One of the most stressful things while travelling overseas is getting a visa. You have your flights booked, accommodations set and itinerary ready, but the nagging feeling of getting a visa might make it stressful.
However, if you are heading to Indonesia, there is absolutely no issue. All Indian passport holders get Visa on Arrival (VOA). In fact, citizens of over 80 countries can get a visa on arrival at major airports in Indonesia, including Bali, Surabaya, Jakarta etc…
What is the cost?
The visa cost is USD 34 per person (around Rs. 2,800). You can pay in either Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or USD. We paid in USD. However, if you give the say USD 100 in cash, you will get the change in IDR. The rate at the airport is very bad and we suggest you carry the exact change, ideally in USD.
What is the procedure to get the visa?
It is not very complicated. Just before immigration, there are a few counters where they first collect the VOA fee and give you a receipt for the same. You then take that and your passport to immigration and show it to the officer there. He may ask you a few questions about your purpose of visit, how many days you are going to stay in the country – just the standard stuff – and then stamp your passport.
What currency is used in Bali, where to exchange; everything you need to know
And that’s it! WELCOME TO INDONESIA!
Pro-Tip: After immigration, you’ll have to go through customs. While you can pass through the green channel in most airports if you have nothing to declare, in Indonesia if you have to fill up a form online. Instead of doing it at the airport, which will take away another 30-45 minutes of your time, you may fill it out well in advance online.
All you have to do is, click on the link here and follow the instructions. Once you are done, a QR code will be generated, which you’ll have to show to the customs officer at the airport.
Note that, we entered the country from the Bali airport. Experience in other airports may differ.
How long is the visa valid? The VOA is valid for 30 days and it is extendable.
To find out more about our Indonesia trip, click here.
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