The eVisa Indonesia (e-VoA, code B1) is a mandatory electronic tourist visa for UK passport holders travelling to Indonesia in 2026. It costs IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28), takes 3 to 5 business days to process, and permits a single-entry stay of up to 30 days.
Applications are submitted entirely online before departure through the Directorate General of Immigration portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The approved Indonesia eVisa arrives by email as a PDF with a QR code, eliminating the need to queue at a visa desk on arrival. UK travellers can also use the VFS Global automated portal (indonesiavoa.vfsevisa.id), which processes applications within 24 hours for an additional service fee.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not an official government source. Always verify details at evisa.imigrasi.go.id before applying.
What Is the Indonesia eVisa for Tourists?
The Indonesia eVisa (e-VoA, code B1) is an electronic single-entry visa issued by the Directorate General of Immigration under the Kementerian Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan RI. Approved applicants receive a PDF via email, bypassing airport queues. Permitted purposes include tourism, family visits, and transit. Work is strictly prohibited under this visa category.
How the eVisa Differs from a Traditional Visa on Arrival
Unlike the traditional Visa on Arrival (VoA) obtained at the airport immigration desk, the Indonesia eVisa is applied and paid for entirely online before travel. Both options cost IDR 500,000, but the Indonesia eVisa lets UK tourists skip the visa queue. The Indonesia eVisa is available at all major international airports and selected land crossings.
Do UK Citizens Need an Indonesia eVisa in 2026?
Yes. UK passport holders are on the Indonesia eVisa eligible nationalities list and must obtain an e-VoA (B1) before departure in 2026.
British passport holders are among the 97 approved nationalities eligible to apply for the e-VoA (code B1) online. UK citizens must obtain this electronic visa prior to flying; visa-free entry is not an option.
For independent guidance, the UK FCDO maintains travel advice for Indonesia at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia.
Indonesia eVisa Requirements
The Indonesia eVisa system requires each applicant to submit the following documents before payment can be completed:
- Passport – valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia, with at least 1 blank page for an immigration stamp. The same passport used in the application must be used to enter Indonesia.
- Digital photograph – JPEG or PNG format, file size between 200 KB and 2 MB, plain white background, neutral expression, no sunglasses, taken within the last 6 months.
- Return or onward flight ticket – a copy of the confirmed booking.
- Working email address – to receive the approved Indonesia eVisa as a PDF.
- Credit or debit card – Visa, Mastercard, or JCB. Third-party cards are allowed and do not need to be in the applicant’s name.
- Accommodation address – the first hotel or Airbnb booking is sufficient for the form.
The Indonesia eVisa system does not require proof of sufficient funds or a bank statement for the B1 e-VoA. Each family member, including children and infants, must submit a separate application with their own documents.
Photo Specifications: Getting It Right First Time
The Indonesia eVisa photo requirements are strict. Accepted format: JPEG or PNG, file size 200 KB to 2 MB, minimum dimensions 400×400 px. Background must be plain white with no shadows. Face must be centred with a neutral expression. No sunglasses; prescription glasses are acceptable. Religious head coverings are permitted; caps are not. In practice, UK applicants report that upload failures most frequently stem from background shadows on supposedly white walls, so use even lighting against a flat surface.
How to Apply for the Indonesia eVisa: Register, Fill Form & Upload Documents (Steps 1-4)
Register
at evisa.imigrasi.go.id – verify your email to receive login credentials.
Select visa type
choose e-Visa on Arrival (e-VoA), code B1, for tourism purposes.
Fill in the form
enter personal details, passport data, and travel dates; your name must match your passport exactly, including middle names and prefixes.
Upload documents
passport bio-data page scan, digital photograph (JPEG/PNG, 200 KB-2 MB, plain white background), and return or onward flight ticket. Each family member must submit separate documents.
Tips for Filling Out the Application Form Correctly
The most common Indonesia eVisa rejection cause is name mismatch. Applicants must enter their name exactly as printed on the passport, including middle names and prefixes (e.g., “James T. Smith” not “James Smith”). The system rejects passports with less than 6 months validity from the intended entry date. Date format follows DD/MM/YYYY. For accommodation, the first hotel or Airbnb booking is sufficient. Applicants with a single name must enter it in both the First Name and Last Name fields.
How to Apply: Pay, Receive & Track Your eVisa (Steps 5-7)
Pay the fee
IDR 500,000 (IDR 730,000 if using VFS). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) accepted; third-party cards allowed. Payment confirmation may take up to 1 hour.
Receive the eVisa
the approved Indonesia eVisa arrives as a PDF by email within 3-5 business days (standard) or 24 hours via the VFS automated portal. Download and save to your phone, and print a backup copy.
Present at immigration
show the Indonesia eVisa PDF (printed or digital) with your passport; e-passport holders may use e-gates at major airports such as CGK and DPS.
How to Check Your eVisa Status
Indonesia eVisa applicants can check status at evisa.imigrasi.go.id using the Register Number and Passport Number. Statuses: Under Review (immigration officials processing), Approved (visa granted, download PDF), Rejected (incorrect details or eligibility issues), Expired (validity period passed). If rejected, correct errors and reapply with a new IDR 500,000 fee. If no email arrives, check spam, verify the email address, and wait a minimum of 7 business days before follow-up.
Indonesia eVisa Fees (2026)
The Indonesia eVisa government fee in 2026 is IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28), with an additional IDR 230,000 (~GBP 18) VFS service fee if applying through the VFS portal.
| Fee Component | Amount in IDR | Approx. in GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (PNBP) | IDR 500,000 | ~GBP 28 |
| VFS Global service fee | IDR 230,000 | ~GBP 18 |
| Total via VFS portal | IDR 730,000 | ~GBP 46 |
The Indonesia eVisa fee is strictly non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. The government fee is classified as PNBP (Penerimaan Negara Bukan Pajak) under Indonesian Immigration Law No. 6/2011.
Payment Tips for UK Travellers
UK bank cards typically apply a 2.5-3.5% FX markup on IDR transactions, raising the real total to ~GBP 48-50. Using a travel-friendly card like Wise or Revolut minimises this surcharge. If the payment page appears to hang, wait up to 1 hour before resubmitting, as confirmation can be delayed.
eVisa Validity, Length of Stay & Entry Rules
The Indonesia eVisa is valid for 90 days from date of issue, permits a single-entry stay of 30 calendar days, and is extendable once for a maximum cumulative stay of 60 days.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity window | 90 days from issue date |
| Length of stay | 30 calendar days from date of entry |
| Entry type | Single entry only |
| Maximum cumulative stay | 60 days (30 base + 30 extension) |
Leaving Indonesia voids the Indonesia eVisa; a new application is required for any subsequent visit. Holders of biometric e-passports may use automated e-gates at major airports including CGK and DPS, where no physical visa sticker is issued. Entry is not guaranteed; the final decision rests with the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. Travellers must present a confirmed outbound or onward ticket during inspection.
Pre-Flight Checklist: Everything You Need Before Flying to Indonesia
- eVisa approved: Download the Indonesia eVisa PDF from your email, save it to your phone, and print a backup copy. Airlines vary on whether they accept digital or printed versions at check-in.
- All Indonesia Arrival Card: Submit the mandatory customs and immigration declaration at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id within 3 days before arrival. A QR code is scanned at customs gates. This requirement has been mandatory since October 2025.
- Bali Tourist Levy: If your first port of entry is Bali, pay IDR 150,000 (~GBP 8) at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before arrival. You receive a digital voucher for verification.
- Travel insurance: Not legally required for the Indonesia eVisa, but the UK FCDO strongly recommends coverage including medical evacuation.
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date with at least 1 blank page for immigration stamps.
Indonesia eVisa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Is Better in 2026?
The Indonesia eVisa and airport Visa on Arrival cost the same IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28), but the Indonesia eVisa lets UK tourists skip the immigration visa queue entirely.
| Feature | eVisa (e-VoA) | Visa on Arrival (airport) | Single Entry Tourist Visa (211A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to apply | Online, before travel | At airport immigration desk | Online or via Indonesian embassy |
| Cost | IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28) | IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28) | IDR 500,000 (~GBP 28) + admin fees |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days (or 24h via VFS) | Immediate at airport | 5-14 days |
| Length of stay | 30 days | 30 days | 60 days |
| Extension | +30 days at immigration office | +30 days at immigration office | Not extendable |
| Queue at airport | Skip visa queue | Long queues common | N/A |
| Best for | Most tourists (trips under 30 days) | Last-minute travel | Longer stays up to 60 days |
The Indonesia eVisa is the recommended default for UK tourists on trips under 30 days. Consider the 211A visa only for stays between 31 and 60 days.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid eVisa Rejection
- Name mismatch – spelling, middle names, or prefixes must match the passport exactly; mismatched information makes the Indonesia eVisa invalid and requires a new application with a fresh IDR 500,000 government fee.
- Passport validity – passports with less than 6 months validity from the intended entry date are rejected automatically.
- Photo errors – wrong background, sunglasses, or a face that is not centred cause rejection; the Indonesia eVisa system requires JPEG or PNG files, 200 KB-2 MB, on a plain white background.
- Wrong document upload – uploading a selfie instead of the passport bio-data page scan.
- Incorrect email – a typo means the approved eVisa PDF never arrives and cannot be tracked.
- Dual nationality confusion – applicants must select one passport and use the same passport for both application and entry.
How to Extend Your Indonesia eVisa in 2026
Since June 2025, Indonesia eVisa extensions must be done in person at a local immigration office. The online extension option has been discontinued. The Indonesia eVisa system grants an additional 30 calendar days on top of the initial 30-day stay, bringing the maximum cumulative stay to 60 days.
The extension fee is IDR 500,000, matching the original government visa fee (PNBP). Tourists should initiate the process 7-10 days before the current eVisa expires, as processing takes 3-7 working days.
- Visit a Kantor Imigrasi office with the passport used for the original Indonesia eVisa application.
- Submit required documents: passport, eVisa printout, proof of accommodation in Indonesia, and a confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
- Pay the extension fee of IDR 500,000 at the immigration office.
- Wait 3-7 working days for processing.
Overstaying without an approved extension incurs a penalty of IDR 1,000,000 per day under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 44 of 2015, Art. 106. Prolonged overstay risks detention, deportation, and future entry bans. Submit your extension application at least 7-10 days before expiry to avoid overstay.
FAQ: Eligibility & Entry Requirements
1. Do UK citizens need a visa for Indonesia in 2026?
Yes, UK passport holders must obtain an Indonesia eVisa (e-VoA, code B1) before travelling for tourism in 2026. The United Kingdom is on the approved nationalities list.
2. Do I need an eVisa if I’m just transiting through Indonesia?
Airside transit at Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS) on a single ticket within 24 hours generally does not require an Indonesia eVisa, provided you remain in the transit area. If you need to change terminals or collect luggage, you will need an eVisa.
3. Is travel insurance required for the Indonesia eVisa?
No, but the UK FCDO strongly recommends coverage for medical treatment and emergency evacuation. Proof of insurance is not checked during the Indonesia eVisa application process.
4. Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Indonesia?
A yellow fever certificate is needed only when arriving from endemic countries (parts of Africa and South America). Direct arrivals from the UK do not need it. No COVID-19 certificate is required in 2026.
FAQ: Application Process & Fees
5. How much does the Indonesia eVisa cost from the UK?
Total cost is IDR 730,000 (~GBP 46) with VFS, plus ~2.5-3.5% FX surcharge from UK bank cards, bringing the real total to approximately GBP 48-50.
6. How long does the Indonesia eVisa take to process?
Standard processing: 3-5 business days. VFS Global portal: 24 hours. If status is unchanged after 7 business days, follow up at evisa.imigrasi.go.id using your Register Number and Passport Number.
7. Can I apply for the Indonesia eVisa on behalf of my family?
Each traveller, including children, must submit a separate Indonesia eVisa application with their own documents. The same card can pay for multiple applications. Review is individual; partial rejection does not affect others. Third-party cards are allowed.
FAQ: Validity, Extension & Rules
8. Can I extend my Indonesia eVisa beyond 30 days?
Yes, in-person extension for 30 days at a local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi), fee IDR 500,000. Start 7-10 days before expiry. Online extensions discontinued since June 2025.
9. What happens if I overstay my Indonesia eVisa?
Overstaying incurs a penalty of IDR 1,000,000 per day under Indonesian immigration law. Prolonged overstays risk detention, deportation, and a future entry ban. Submit your extension application early to avoid overstay.
10. Do I need to print my Indonesia eVisa?
A digital Indonesia eVisa PDF on a phone is accepted by Indonesian immigration, but UK airlines may require a printed copy at check-in. Carry both a printed PDF and a saved digital copy. E-passport holders can use e-gates at major airports including CGK and DPS.
