General Info

[DownUnderMonger]

Hi guys,

Planned to go to Jakarta in October, seems that I need to pay the VOA since my country is listed in. Can I pay the VOA fees with euros? USD? Or I need to exchange in order to pay the 500 K IRD at the border?

I also planned to move to Bali and return to Europe from Bali, do I need to pay VOA once again?

Thanks.

Yep there's a sign that gets updated every day. Notes only though.

VOA is single-engry so yep you will have to pay again if you leave Indonesia.

[Pouet017]

Hi guys,

Planned to go to Jakarta in October, seems that I need to pay the VOA since my country is listed in. Can I pay the VOA fees with euros? USD? Or I need to exchange in order to pay the 500 K IRD at the border?

I also planned to move to Bali and return to Europe from Bali, do I need to pay VOA once again?

Thanks.

[Possessed Seoul]

KITAP is a marriage visa, similar to permanent residency. KITAS is for someone sponsored to work in Indonesia, although I believe you can get one if you set up your own company. There are business visas that can be had for a substantial price that allow longer stays. Take a look at Okusi Associates or a similar company for assistance with that.

Thanks for the detailed response.

Too bad they do not offer multiple entry within the 30 day period.
I understand this is Revenue for the Indonesian Government which is hard to give up.

I would like to evaluate the KITAP option. Any recommendation for an Agent in Jakarta who can help with KITAP?

Thanks again,
~BKKguru.

[BaddHabbit]

Thanks for the detailed response.

Too bad they do not offer multiple entry within the 30 day period.
I understand this is Revenue for the Indonesian Government which is hard to give up.

I would like to evaluate the KITAP option. Any recommendation for an Agent in Jakarta who can help with KITAP?

Thanks again,
~BKKguru.

If you travel a lot around Southeast Asia for business then consider trying to apply for an APEC card. I have one and it gives me unlimited Visa-free, charge-free entry to 20 different countries in Asia for five years. Also gives you access to diplomatic lanes through customs and a few other perks. Very very worthwhile.

[BKKguru]

Thanks for the detailed response.

Too bad they do not offer multiple entry within the 30 day period.
I understand this is Revenue for the Indonesian Government which is hard to give up.

I would like to evaluate the KITAP option. Any recommendation for an Agent in Jakarta who can help with KITAP?

Thanks again,
~BKKguru.

You buy the VOA and it's an Immigration sticker with a holographic security mark on it. It's applied into your passport page and stamped a date of entry. When you LEAVE Indonesia, immigration with close out that first entry stamp with an exit stamp (different shape, different color ink) but it'll be on the same page as the entry. Once you've exit stamped that entry stamp, you start all over! So yes, you need to buy a new VOA again.
<snip>

[BenderOver]

Folks,

On arrival in Jakarta, I paid for a 30 day VOA. The VOA Sticker gives the Date of Entry and Valid Until Date.

Question:

Can I use the VOA to enter Indonesia *twice* in a 30 day period? For example:

I arrive in Jakarta on January 1st and get the VOA valid until January 30th. If l fly out of Indonesia on January 8th, can I use the same VOA to enter Indonesia on January 18th?

Or do I have to pay for a new VOA when I arrive on Jan. 18th?

Thanks,
~BKKguru.

You buy the VOA and it's an Immigration sticker with a holographic security mark on it. It's applied into your passport page and stamped a date of entry. When you LEAVE Indonesia, immigration with close out that first entry stamp with an exit stamp (different shape, different color ink) but it'll be on the same page as the entry. Once you've exit stamped that entry stamp, you start all over! So yes, you need to buy a new VOA again.

Pre COVID, there was also Visa Exempt, which was no cost and you could enter and exit with the ink stamp alone. These were restricted to non-business non-commercial and tourism only with a 30 day limit.

During COVID, there were the travel visas that were granted through tour companies or you needed a work sponsor to apply online for you. I ended up getting some non-holographic QR sticker for that entry. Also ink stamped entry and exit.

[Egy Monger New]

Folks,

On arrival in Jakarta, I paid for a 30 day VOA. The VOA Sticker gives the Date of Entry and Valid Until Date.

Question:

Can I use the VOA to enter Indonesia *twice* in a 30 day period? For example:

I arrive in Jakarta on January 1st and get the VOA valid until January 30th. If l fly out of Indonesia on January 8th, can I use the same VOA to enter Indonesia on January 18th?

Or do I have to pay for a new VOA when I arrive on Jan. 18th?

Thanks,
~BKKguru.

Need to pay for a new VOA regardless when you fly out.

[BKKguru]

Folks,

On arrival in Jakarta, I paid for a 30 day VOA. The VOA Sticker gives the Date of Entry and Valid Until Date.

Question:

Can I use the VOA to enter Indonesia *twice* in a 30 day period? For example:

I arrive in Jakarta on January 1st and get the VOA valid until January 30th. If l fly out of Indonesia on January 8th, can I use the same VOA to enter Indonesia on January 18th?

Or do I have to pay for a new VOA when I arrive on Jan. 18th?

Thanks,
~BKKguru.

[Papae Noel]

I use T-mobile all over the world, even now. It's a handy way to bypass censors, like in Indonesia.

MadVic.

Same same, I have never opened any of my phones to swap out the SIM (usage in various countries like yourself). Last night, used Gojek to from hotel to another hotel. Good signal at all times. FWIW, I noticed the IMEI registration desk just prior to Immigrasi. It was closed up for the night at 11:25 pm.

Anyone else wondering about travel insurance, nobody asked to see. Maybe not required, but still not sure.

[Madvic]

I use T-mobile all over the world, even now. It's a handy way to bypass censors, like in Indonesia.

MadVic.

[Sammon]

Just chatted with TMobile. My plan includes Simple Global feature. Up to 5 GB Hi-speed data, and then up to 256 Kbps, unlimited text, and. 25 cents / min for any calls while in Indonesia. Just need to send text #766# to turn on international roaming, and #763# to turn off. Not sure how much data will be used if not actively using the phone while roaming. Probably try to keep it off except when needed.

I still haven't confirmed if insurance is needed, and if they ask for evidence at CGK. Bought it several times for Thailand and Brazil, but tired of throwing money away.

I have the same T mobile world plan. Texts are unlimited. Only voice calls cost money. For data it is limited. But use wi fi wherever you go. Nowadays all the places you visit like restaurants, salons, massage places, clubs and of course hotels and stores has wi fi you can use. One good thing is nobody knows where you are. Anybody calls can reach you and also you can call anybody. Even the caller I the says just your number and name and not which place you are in the world.

[Papae Noel]

It started back in 2020, but of course not many of us would have reported about this issue then for obvious reason.

If you continue to use T-Mobile, you should be fine and T-Mobile might have even upgraded that speed to 256 kbps for everyone. Still slow but should be decent enough for the taxi app. I used to always purchase high speed data from T-Mobile whenever I travel. Now my plan allocates me 5 GB of high speed data every month, and it works well enough for me.

.

Just chatted with TMobile. My plan includes Simple Global feature. Up to 5 GB Hi-speed data, and then up to 256 Kbps, unlimited text, and. 25 cents / min for any calls while in Indonesia. Just need to send text #766# to turn on international roaming, and #763# to turn off. Not sure how much data will be used if not actively using the phone while roaming. Probably try to keep it off except when needed.

I still haven't confirmed if insurance is needed, and if they ask for evidence at CGK. Bought it several times for Thailand and Brazil, but tired of throwing money away.

[Ggekko2009]

I arrive in Jakarta next week (after 2. 5 years). I also have 2 phones. Is it possible to skip that line if I choose to, and just continue on to Customs? My USA Plan, T Mobile, works in Bangkok although just 2 G. But don't remember how it worked in Jakarta from my last trip. I really would like to have GoJek or Bluebird available, and not at 2 G. How were you able to tether one to the other? I have a cheap A32 Samsung, and also a pricey Note 21 Plus, so just probably register the A32, which actually should work well enough with an Indonesian SiM.

It started back in 2020, but of course not many of us would have reported about this issue then for obvious reason.

If you continue to use T-Mobile, you should be fine and T-Mobile might have even upgraded that speed to 256 kbps for everyone. Still slow but should be decent enough for the taxi app. I used to always purchase high speed data from T-Mobile whenever I travel. Now my plan allocates me 5 GB of high speed data every month, and it works well enough for me.

This is only an issue if you want to use the local SIM card. If you are not planning any local SIM card on your phone, I will not be bothered to register it. But as long as the value is less than USD 500, you should not need to pay any tax.

I think you might even get a waiver if you plan to use it for less for 90 days as a foreign tourist. Maybe you can get it done when purchasing local sim card from the local shop and they can register and activate it for you on the spot. This is based on what I had been told, so YMMV.

[Blacka0]

Arrived in Jakarta this week. Everything went super smooth, before and after the IMEI registration. Before reaching customs, a line of signs urges you to register the IMEI of your mobile phone (s). I travelled with two phones. An IPhone pro, my daily driver and a cheaper Samsung, to be used while on vacation.

A lady behind the window started the registration and needed to know the value of my phones. The Samsung's was less than 500 euro's and the IPone's was more than 1000 euro's.

She said, that since the value of the IPhone exceeds 500 euro I will have to pay a tax if I want to use that during my stay. I told her that that was not very visitor-friendly because I believe that many visitors will have a mobile phone that costs more than 500 euro's.

So I had my cheaper Samsung registered while thinking to get me an Indonesian sim card anyway, once in the city. Alas, I already have five failed attempts. The reason? They couldn't find my IPhone's IMEI in the system.

A friend handed me a solution. Top up my Samsung and tettering with my Iphone will provide me a "normal" use of the latter.

Brother I have had the same problems with also my expensive iphone 13 pro max I couldn't use my indonesian simcard the solution is very simple just go to central park mall top floor simpati and go to the counter and show your foreign paspoort they will activate it for 3 months with your imei number and its absolutely free of charge very simple indeed, I also don't want to pay tax for my own phone are they crazy in Indonesia?

[Papae Noel]

..register the IMEI of your mobile phone (s). I travelled with two phones. An IPhone pro, my daily driver and a cheaper Samsung, to be used while on vacation.

So I had my cheaper Samsung registered while thinking to get me an Indonesian sim card anyway, once in the city. Alas, I already have five failed attempts. The reason? They couldn't find my IPhone's IMEI in the system.

A friend handed me a solution. Top up my Samsung and tettering with my Iphone will provide me a "normal" use of the latter.

I arrive in Jakarta next week (after 2. 5 years). I also have 2 phones. Is it possible to skip that line if I choose to, and just continue on to Customs? My USA Plan, T Mobile, works in Bangkok although just 2 G. But don't remember how it worked in Jakarta from my last trip. I really would like to have GoJek or Bluebird available, and not at 2 G. How were you able to tether one to the other? I have a cheap A32 Samsung, and also a pricey Note 21 Plus, so just probably register the A32, which actually should work well enough with an Indonesian SiM.