Understanding Your Indonesian Visa Options for Your Needs.
Foreigners planning to visit Indonesia for tourism or family visits often face the dilemma of choosing between a Visa on Arrival (VoA) and a Visa Kunjungan Wisata (VKW). Referring to the Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation Number M.HH-02.GR.01.04 of 2023 concerning Visa Classification, VoA and VKW are indeed both intended for tourism, family visits, or transit. However, there are several key distinctions between the two visa types.
Director of Immigration Traffic Control, Felucia Sengky, elaborates on the seven fundamental differences between VoA and VKW:
- Visa Index: VoA utilises the B1 index, while VKW bears the C1 index.
- Country Eligibility: Not all nationalities are eligible for VoA. Only 97 countries can obtain VoA, whereas VKW can be applied for by citizens of any country.
- Length of Stay: Upon initial issuance, VoA holders are permitted to stay in Indonesia for 30 days. In contrast, VKW holders can remain in the country for up to 60 days.
- Cost: VoA can be acquired for a fee of Rp500,000. In comparison, foreigners applying for VKW must pay three times that amount or Rp1,500,000, for a duration of stay twice as long as VoA holders.
- Application Process: VoA can be obtained directly at the Immigration Checkpoint at the Airport or Port upon arrival or applied for electronically beforehand through evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Meanwhile, foreigners applying for VKW online must first create an account on evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
- Approval: Unlike VKW, VoA can be directly granted to applicants regardless of whether they apply in person or online, without requiring an account or guarantor. Foreigners must have an account and/or guarantor beforehand and wait for a maximum of five working days for the visa verification process. If approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the email addresses of both the guarantor and the registered foreigner.
- Extension: VoA can only be extended once for an additional 30 days. Extensions can be done online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id (specifically for e-voa) or in person at any immigration office throughout Indonesia. Unlike VoA, VKW can be extended for a total stay of 180 days. Extensions can also be done online through evisa.imigrasi.go.id or in person at any immigration office throughout Indonesia.
“Choose the visa that best suits your needs. If you are still confused about other immigration information, the public can utilise the Directorate General of Immigration’s live chat at www.imigrasi.go.id on Mondays-Fridays from 09.00 AM to 03.00 PM,” concluded Sengky.