Both the Indonesia eVisa and Visa on Arrival cost IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) and grant a 30-day tourist stay. The eVisa is applied for online before departure, letting you skip airport queues. The physical VoA is purchased at the airport counter on arrival.
Key 2026 differences: VFS fee IDR 230,000 (≈ £11), processing 10 min to 24 h, airport e-gates, online vs in-person extension, overstay fine IDR 1,000,000/day (≈ £49).
Since October 2025, all international passengers must also complete the separate All Indonesia Arrival Declaration at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id up to 3 days before arrival. This is distinct from the eVisa application and applies regardless of which visa option you choose.
eVisa Indonesia vs Visa on Arrival – Key Difference (2026): Both the Indonesia eVisa and Visa on Arrival cost IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) and allow a 30-day tourist stay. The e-VoA is applied online before departure and lets you skip airport queues, while the physical VoA is purchased at the airport – ideal for last-minute travel but involving longer waits and in-person extension.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table – eVisa Indonesia vs VoA
The eVisa Indonesia and physical Visa on Arrival share a £24 base fee, but differ in application method, airport queue time, and extension process.
| Feature | eVisa Indonesia (e-VoA) | Visa on Arrival (VoA) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fee | IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) | IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) | Tie |
| VFS service fee | IDR 230,000 (≈ £11) via VFS platform | None | VoA |
| Processing time | 10 min – 24 hours | On the spot at counter | VoA (instant) |
| Application method | 100% online pre-departure | In person at airport counter | eVisa |
| Airport queue | Skip queue; e-gate eligible | Queue up to 90 min peak (CGK); ~30 min avg (DPS) | eVisa |
| Extension method | Online, no office visit | In-person at Kantor Imigrasi | eVisa |
| Extension fee | IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) | IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) | Tie |
| Stay duration | 30 days + 1×30 ext = 60 max | 30 days + 1×30 ext = 60 max | Tie |
| Passport required | 6-month validity, 1 blank page | 6-month validity, 1 blank page | Tie |
| Required documents | Passport, photo, return ticket | Passport, return ticket | VoA |
| Payment | Credit/debit card online | Cash or card (2-3% surcharge) | eVisa |
| Best for | Families, business, extending | Last-minute, spontaneous trips | Depends |
Cost Comparison – What You Pay in Pounds and Rupiah
The Indonesia eVisa and the Visa on Arrival share an identical government fee of IDR 500,000 (≈ £24). Applying through VFS Global adds a IDR 230,000 (≈ £11) service fee, bringing the eVisa total to IDR 730,000 (≈ £35). Applying directly through the government portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id avoids this surcharge.
Watch Out – VFS Global Service Fee
The eVisa costs £24 directly or £35 via VFS Global (£11 extra). Apply directly to avoid the surcharge. For VFS platform support, contact [email protected].
Paying at the Airport – Currencies, Cash & Card Surcharges
VoA accepts cash (IDR, USD, EUR, AUD, GBP) at counters; card payments incur a 2-3% surcharge. Use cash to avoid fees. Overstaying incurs IDR 1,000,000 per day (≈ £49), with potential deportation and future entry restrictions.
Application Process & Airport Experience
The eVisa processes in 10 minutes to 24 hours online, while the physical Visa on Arrival requires filling forms and queuing at the airport immigration counter. The e-VoA system launched in November 2022 and has since processed millions of applications through the VFS Global and government portals.
eVisa steps: create account on the eVisa portal, upload passport scan and photo, fill the application form, pay IDR 500,000 by credit or debit card, receive approval email with QR code (processing takes 10 minutes automated to 24 hours manual review; apply 24 to 48 hours before departure).
The Visa on Arrival process unfolds at the airport after landing:
Exit the aircraft and follow signage
Follow “Visa on Arrival” signage after landing.
Join the immigration queue
Proceed to the immigration queue at the airport.
Fill the arrival card and present documents
Fill the arrival card and present passport plus return ticket.
Pay the fee and receive visa sticker
Pay the fee at the counter and receive a visa sticker.
Proceed to passport control
Head to passport control to complete entry.
Approved eVisa Indonesia holders with UK biometric e-passports can use automated e-gates at major airports, bypassing the Visa on Arrival queue. At Jakarta (CGK), VoA queues can reach 90 minutes during peak holiday season (July-August), while at Bali (DPS) the average wait is 30 minutes even without an e-gate. Children under 6 to 14 years depending on terminal must use manual lanes despite holding an eVisa.
Duration of Stay, Extensions & Overstay Rules
Both the Indonesia eVisa and the physical Visa on Arrival grant a 30-day initial stay, extendable once by 30 days for IDR 500,000 (≈ £24), totalling 60 days maximum. Travellers must apply for an extension within 14 days of arrival, ideally 7 to 14 days before visa expiry.
The Indonesia eVisa permits a fully online extension with no immigration office visit. The Visa on Arrival, by contrast, requires an in-person visit to a Kantor Imigrasi office for biometrics, photos, and longer processing at the same fee.
Overstay Penalties
Overstay fine: IDR 1,000,000/day (≈ £49); risk of deportation. Example: arrive 1 Sep, expire 1 Oct, extend by 15 Sep. Always check your entry stamp for the exact expiry date.
Conversion & Refund Policy
Neither visa converts directly to a KITAS work permit onshore. An Alih Status bridging visa exists but is limited; most work visa pathways require a pre-approved eVisa such as C1 or D12. Rejected eVisa applications are non-refundable, and re-application requires submitting a brand-new application plus a second fee.
Eligibility & UK Passport Requirements
UK British Citizen passport holders are fully eligible for both the eVisa Indonesia and the physical Visa on Arrival. Indonesia’s single-entry B1 visa covers 97 eligible countries and territories. British Citizen passport holders qualify without restriction, while BN(O) and British Overseas Territories Citizen passport holders should verify their status against the current eligibility list before travelling.
| UK Passport Category | Qualifies? |
|---|---|
| British Citizen | ✓ |
| British National (Overseas) – BN(O) | ⚠ Check latest list |
| British Overseas Territories Citizen | ⚠ Check latest list |
Both the eVisa Indonesia and Visa on Arrival require the same documents: a passport with 6-month validity and one blank page, a passport photo, and a return or onward flight ticket. Proof of sufficient funds is not required for the 30-day B1 visa.
Since October 2025, all international passengers must complete the mandatory All Indonesia Arrival Declaration at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id up to 3 days before arrival. This is a separate system from the e-VoA application.
Which Visa Suits Your Travel Plans?
The eVisa Indonesia vs VoA decision hinges on travel style: the eVisa suits families, business travellers, and those extending beyond 30 days, while the physical Visa on Arrival suits spontaneous, last-minute arrivals.
- Last-minute → VoA (no planning; pay IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) at airport).
- Families → eVisa (e-gates skip queues; children under 6-14 years use manual lanes depending on terminal).
- Solo backpackers → eVisa (same base fee, online extension without visiting an immigration office).
- Business travellers → eVisa (pre-approved entry, processing as fast as 10 minutes).
- Extending beyond 30 days → eVisa (one-time 30-day extension online for IDR 500,000 (≈ £24); VoA requires in-person visit to Kantor Imigrasi).
- Land border arrivals → Check designated entry points, as e-VoA acceptance varies by crossing.
- Digital nomads and long-stay seekers → Neither option suits stays beyond 60 days; consider the B211 social visa or C1 tourist eVisa (60-180 days, extendable 2×60 days).
Frequently Asked Questions: eVisa Indonesia vs VoA
Is the Indonesia eVisa the same as Visa on Arrival?
Both are single-entry B1 visas costing IDR 500,000 (≈ £24) and granting 30 days, but differ in application method. The eVisa (e-VoA) is applied online before departure; the physical Visa on Arrival is purchased at the airport counter after landing. Both are extendable once for 30 days.
How much does the Indonesia eVisa cost compared to VoA in 2026?
Same base fee IDR 500,000 (≈ £24); VFS adds IDR 230,000 (≈ £11) → total IDR 730,000 (≈ £35). Apply direct at evisa.imigrasi.go.id to avoid the VFS fee; airport VoA costs IDR 500,000.
How long does the Indonesia eVisa take to process?
Processing ranges from 10 minutes (automated) to 24 hours (manual review). Apply 24 to 48 hours before departure as a buffer. The physical VoA is issued on the spot at the airport counter, though queue wait times vary by season and airport.
Can I extend my Indonesia VoA or eVisa for another 30 days?
Yes, both extend once for 30 days (60 days max) at IDR 500,000 (≈ £24). eVisa holders extend online without visiting an immigration office; physical VoA holders must visit a Kantor Imigrasi in person for biometrics. Apply within 14 days of arrival, ideally 7 to 14 days before expiry.
Does the Indonesia eVisa let you skip the queue at the airport?
Yes. UK travellers holding biometric e-passports with an approved eVisa can use automated e-gates at major Indonesian airports such as Jakarta (CGK) and Bali (DPS), bypassing physical VoA queues that can reach up to 90 minutes in peak season.
What currencies can I pay for VoA at the airport?
Airport counters accept IDR, USD, EUR, AUD and GBP; card may add a 2-3% surcharge. Carry clean USD $50/$100 or EUR €20/€50 to avoid the fee.
Is the eVisa the same as the electronic customs declaration?
No, these are two separate systems. The eVisa (e-VoA) is your travel authorisation processed through indonesiavoa.vfsevisa.id or evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The All Indonesia Arrival Declaration is a mandatory customs and health form required since October 2025 for all international passengers, submitted at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id up to 3 days before arrival. You must complete both if applicable.
What happens if I overstay my Indonesia visa?
Overstay fine: IDR 1,000,000/day (≈ £49); risk of deportation. Example: arrive 1 Sep → expire 1 Oct → extend by 15 Sep.
Last updated: 8 September 2026. This article was verified against Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration bulletins on 5 September 2026. Visa policies can change with little notice; always confirm current fees and eligibility on the Indonesian immigration website (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) before booking your trip. This article contains links to third-party services for your convenience. We do not receive commissions for any visa applications. The information is provided independently.
