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Indonesian Passport: Countries and Visas

Indonesian Passport: Countries and Visas

Planning a trip overseas requires a bit of preparation, and one key thing to sort out is your travel documents - ie. your visa and passport.

Like most citizens of the world, Indonesian citizens generally need a visa to travel abroad unless they are travelling to a country with a visa exemption agreement with Indonesia. The specific visa requirements depend on the destination country, the purpose of the visit (tourism, business, study, etc.), and the duration of stay.

Indonesian Passport: Countries and Visas

Visas… truly are excruciating for Indonesian citizens at times. The paperwork, the requirements, and most of all, the patience. If only more countries beep the green light for Indonesians to conveniently enter a country. Good news travel bugs holding Indonesian passports can rejoice - we have some enticing news for you! The Indonesian government has declared that more and more countries are offering visa-free access. Although the list isn’t as extensive as neighbouring countries, it’s still an improvement.

Below is a general overview of the visa requirements for Indonesians travelling to various regions overseas. But first, allow us to help you comprehend several aspects.

What is a visa?

Before you embark on your international escapade, you must have the correct visa, if that’s required. A visa is an official permit issued by a country that grants permission to its holder to enter, stay, or leave a country for a specific period and purpose.  It serves as proof that the traveller has met the immigration requirements and is permitted to engage in activities such as tourism, business, study, or work.

Generally, visa applications are processed at the embassy or consulate of the destination country. The requirements and process may vary depending on the visa type and the country you're visiting.

Different types of visas exist; depending on the purpose of your trip, how long you’ll stay, and your nationality. Five of the most common types are:

  1. Visitor Visa: For those wanting to visit a country for tourism, recreation, or to see family and friends.

  2. Business Visa: For travellers heading to a country to attend conferences, meet clients, or explore business opportunities.

  3. Student Visa: For individuals intending to study at a foreign institution.

  4. Work Visa: For people planning to work in another country.

  5. Transit Visa: For passing through a country on the way to another destination.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to know which countries you can visit without a visa to avoid the hassle and extra fees of applying for one. After all, visa applications usually come with additional costs!

What’s the difference between a visa and a passport?  

As mentioned previously, you’ll need to check whether your passport is ready and still valid or not. Both a passport and a visa are essential documents for international travel, but they serve different purposes.

Passports are official documents issued by your home country as proof of your identity and nationality. Think of it as your "travel ID"- you need it to enter and exit countries. Whereas, visas are the “permission slips” from your destination country.

Another way to view the differences is this driving analogy: Your passport is like a driver’s license (SIM) - it identifies you as the driver and proves you’re allowed to "drive" internationally. Meanwhile, a visa is like your vehicle registration (STNK) - it gives you permission to enter a particular area and perform certain activities, like carrying passengers or delivering goods.

So, what are the Visit-Free countries?

Many countries around the world require tourists to have a visa to visit. However, there are also plenty of countries that offer a visa-free privilege to Indonesian passport holders, making travel a bit easier.

Indonesian passport holders can enter 45 countries without a visa for short visits; typically ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on the country. Scroll down to check which countries made the list!

  1. Angola

  2. Barbados

  3. Belarus

  4. Bermuda

  5. Brazil

  6. Brunei Darussalam

  7. Cambodia

  8. Chile

  9. Colombia

  10. Cook Islands

  11. Dominica

  12. Ecuador

  13. Fiji

  14. Gabon

  15. Gambia

  16. Guyana

  17. Haiti

  18. Hong Kong

  19. Japan (with e-passports)

  20. Kazakhstan

  21. Kiribati

  22. Laos

  23. Macao

  24. Malaysia

  25. Mali

  26. Micronesia

  27. Morocco

  28. Myanmar

  29. Namibia

  30. Peru

  31. Philippines

  32. Rwanda

  33. Saint Kitts and Nevis

  34. Serbia

  35. Singapore

  36. St. Vincent & Grenadines

  37. Suriname

  38. Tajikistan

  39. Thailand

  40. Timor Leste

  41. Tunisia

  42. Turkey

  43. Uzbekistan

  44. Venezuela

  45. Vietnam

Can I be granted with a Visa on Arrival (VOA)?

Absolutely! Some countries allow you to get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for tourism or business purposes. This means you can obtain your visa when you land at the airport or seaport. The VOA typically allows a stay of 14 to 30 days, but again, this varies by country.

There are 32 countries where you can benefit from VOA with an Indonesian passport:

  1. Azerbaijan

  2. Bangladesh

  3. Bolivia

  4. Burundi

  5. Cape Verde

  6. Comoros

  7. Ethiopia

  8. Ghana

  9. Guinea-Bissau

  10. Jordan

  11. Kyrgyzstan

  12. Madagascar

  13. Malawi

  14. Maldives

  15. Marshall Islands

  16. Mauritania

  17. Mauritius

  18. Mozambique

  19. Nepal

  20. Nicaragua

  21. Niue

  22. Oman

  23. Palau

  24. Qatar

  25. Samoa

  26. Seychelles

  27. Sierra Leone

  28. Somalia

  29. Tanzania

  30. Togo

  31. Tuvalu

  32. Zimbabwe

How about an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)?

This digital age has come with its perks - including in the world of visas. Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is an online travel permit that allows you to enter a country without the need for a traditional visa.

So far, Indonesian passport holders can apply for eTA to visit three countries:

  1. Pakistan

  2. Kenya

  3. Sri Lanka

What if I want to visit Europe with the Schengen Visa?

You'll need a Schengen Visa, a special type of visa, which allows you to travel freely between 26 European countries within the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). Once you obtain a it, you can visit multiple countries within the zone without the need for separate visas for each country, thus, travelling around is more convenient for tourists, business travellers, and students.

Indonesian Passport: Countries and Visas

However, while you may travel freely within the Schengen Area with this visa type, you will still have to go through border control when entering the Schengen Area from a non-Schengen country. The first country you enter will be the one where you apply for your Schengen visa. Either way, if you plan to visit multiple countries but will spend equal time in each, apply at the embassy of the country you plan to enter first.

Below are the 26 Schengen Area countries where Indonesian citizens need one to visit:

  1. Austria

  2. Belgium

  3. Czech Republic

  4. Denmark

  5. Estonia

  6. Finland

  7. France

  8. Germany

  9. Greece

  10. Hungary

  11. Iceland

  12. Italy

  13. Latvia

  14. Liechtenstein

  15. Lithuania

  16. Luxembourg

  17. Malta

  18. Netherlands

  19. Norway

  20. Poland

  21. Portugal

  22. Slovakia

  23. Slovenia

  24. Spain

  25. Sweden

  26. Switzerland

Are there honourable visa mentions I need to know of?

Definitely. Several countries that didn’t make it in any of the lists above require separate visas. Even so, certain countries may have more stringent visa application processes, such as detailed background checks, interviews, and financial documentation.

Here are common destinations and their visa requirements:

  • United States: Indonesian citizens need to apply for a U.S. visa, typically a B1/B2 tourist visa. This process includes an interview at the U.S. embassy and biometric data collection.

  • Canada: Requires a visa (Temporary Resident Visa) for tourism, business, or study purposes. Similar to the U.S., the visa application process includes interviews and documentation proving the purpose of travel.

  • Australia: Needs a Visitor visa (subclass 600) for tourism. 

  • New Zealand: Requires a visitor visa unless the traveller is eligible for a visa waiver; usually for short visits, for tourism, or business.

  • United Kingdom: Requires a standard visitor visa, which must be applied for in advance.

  • Japan: Indonesians must apply for a tourist visa, with requirements such as proof of financial means, a travel itinerary, and possibly an invitation letter.

  • South Korea: The short-term visit visa requires bank statements as well as flight and hotel bookings to name a few. 

  • China: Indonesian citizens need a tourist visa (L visa) to visit.

And there you have it - your quick guide to visas and passports! Whether you’re ready to travel to a visa-free paradise or need to get your paperwork sorted, now you know what to look for.

Stay tuned as we break visas down in even more detail on our following posts. Safe travels, and enjoy exploring the world!