Bottom line: Starting August 29, 2024, Indonesia grants visa-free entry to citizens of 13 countries (including Hong Kong, but excluding Taiwan). The visa-free stay is a maximum of 30 days, non-extendable, and cannot be converted to any other residence permit. Taiwanese travelers still need to apply for a visa on arrival or an e-visa. This visa-free policy will be reviewed every six months.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo recently announced that citizens of 13 countries can now enter Indonesia without a visa. The policy is based on reciprocity and considerations for Indonesia’s national economic interests, aiming to boost national revenue and support domestic economic growth.
According to detikFinance, this new policy has been incorporated into Presidential Decree No. 95 of 2024 and took effect on August 29, 2024. The decree states: ‘Citizens of countries granted visa-free treatment may enter Indonesian territory without a visa,’ but they must enter through designated immigration checkpoints and can stay for a maximum of 30 days.
It’s important to note that this 30-day stay cannot be extended or converted into any other residence permit.
Jokowi also instructed the Minister of Law and Human Rights to review the visa-free policy at least every six months, adding or removing countries from the list as needed. In specific cases, such as national security or public health concerns, the minister has the authority to suspend the visa-free policy.
Here is the list of 13 countries granted visa-free entry to Indonesia:
- Brunei
- Philippines
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Timor-Leste
- Suriname
- Colombia
- Hong Kong
The 13 countries on this visa-free list are mostly in Southeast Asia, expanding on the existing ‘ASEAN visa-free’ policy and adding a few other nations. However, countries previously mentioned as potential candidates for visa-free treatment—such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the Netherlands, China, and Germany—were not included in this list.
Additionally, countries such as the United Kingdom, South Korea, France, Japan, Russia, India, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan have not been granted visa-free treatment. Travelers from these countries must still follow current visa policies for entry. However, with policy reviews every six months, whether these countries will be included in the visa-free list in the future remains to be seen and discussed.
Under current regulations, Taiwanese citizens can apply for a visa on arrival or an electronic visa on arrival (eVOA) when entering Indonesia. The fee is 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately USD$16), allowing a stay of up to 30 days, with the option to extend once.
Read more: 2024 Latest Guide: Indonesia/Bali Entry Visas & eVOA FAQ
Read more: One Minute Guide: Indonesia/Bali Entry Process - From Landing, Customs, to Baggage Claim
According to President Joko Widodo’s directive, Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights will review the visa-free policy every six months. During these reviews, discussions will be held on whether to add more countries to the visa-free list. This has sparked interest in the next wave of visa-free countries, particularly whether nations like China and Taiwan might be included. These countries hold significant economic and tourism market potential for Indonesia, so their potential inclusion in the visa-free policy will be a key topic in future inter-ministerial discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Taiwanese travelers need a visa for Bali, Indonesia?
No, they are not visa-free. Taiwan was not included in the 13-country visa-free list announced in 2024. Taiwanese travelers must still apply for a visa on arrival or an electronic visa on arrival (eVOA), costing approximately Rp 500,000 (USD$16), allowing a stay of 30 days with one extension possible.
Do Hong Kong travelers need a visa for Indonesia?
No, they are visa-free. Hong Kong is one of the 13 countries on the visa-free list, allowing entry to Indonesia without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. However, this 30-day period cannot be extended or converted into any other residence permit.
Which 13 countries are on the visa-free list?
Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Suriname, Colombia, and Hong Kong — primarily ASEAN countries with a few others included.
Could Taiwan be added to Indonesia’s visa-free list in the future?
Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights reviews the visa-free policy every six months, discussing whether to add more countries. Taiwan and China are both on the watchlist under external scrutiny, but as of now, no official timeline has been set.
