Indonesia draws US travelers to Bali’s beaches and temples, and to Jakarta and beyond, but the entry route is a paid Visa on Arrival, not a free pass. US citizens can get the B1 Visa on Arrival or the e-VOA for IDR 500,000, valid for 30 days.
Applying for the e-VOA online before you fly skips the arrival queue, but a physical Visa on Arrival is also available at eligible entry points if you’d rather sort it at the airport. Either way, the fee is IDR 500,000 and the initial stay is 30 days.
What to sort before you fly to Indonesia
- Indonesia is not visa-free for US citizens: the B1 Visa on Arrival or e-VOA is required, and it costs IDR 500,000.
- The initial stay allowed is 30 days.
- Applying for the e-VOA online in advance avoids the arrival queue at Indonesian airports.
- A physical Visa on Arrival is also available at eligible entry points if you don’t apply online first.
- Your passport should generally be valid at least 6 months, and you’ll need a return or onward ticket.
- The Bali tourist levy is a separate charge from the visa fee.
e-VOA online or Visa on Arrival at the airport
Applying for the e-VOA through the official e-VOA portal before you fly means you skip the on-arrival queue and pay IDR 500,000 online. If you’d rather sort it in person, a physical Visa on Arrival for the same fee is available at eligible entry points, run through the Indonesian immigration authority.
Either route gives you the same 30-day stay. The e-VOA route is worth it if you want to avoid standing in the on-arrival line, especially at busier airports like Bali’s.
What to bring to the counter
- IDR 500,000 – The fee for the B1 Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, payable in Indonesian rupiah if applying in person.
- Passport – Passport normally valid at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.
- Return or onward ticket – Confirmed travel out of Indonesia, which immigration can ask to see.
Not visa-free
US citizens do not get free visa-free entry to Indonesia. The B1 Visa on Arrival or e-VOA at IDR 500,000 is required for tourism.
Indonesia visa cost and stay length
Extension rules depend on the current B1 permit process; check the official immigration site closer to your travel date if you’re planning to stay beyond the initial 30 days.
More for your Indonesia trip: Best time to visit · Packing list · Vaccinations · Travel insurance · Money and currency
Check your visa before you book
Confirm the current rules for your passport, then sort the rest of the trip.
Indonesia entry questions for US citizens
1Is Indonesia visa-free for US citizens?
No. US citizens need the B1 Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, which costs IDR 500,000.
2Should I apply for the e-VOA online or get the Visa on Arrival at the airport?
Both cost IDR 500,000 and grant the same 30-day stay. Applying for the e-VOA online in advance lets you skip the on-arrival queue.
3How long can I stay in Indonesia on the Visa on Arrival?
The initial stay is 30 days.
4Is the Bali tourist levy part of the visa fee?
No, the Bali tourist levy is a separate charge from the IDR 500,000 Visa on Arrival or e-VOA fee.
5Where do I apply for the Indonesia e-VOA?
Through the official portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id, run by Indonesian immigration.
6Can I extend my stay past 30 days in Indonesia?
Extension rules depend on the current B1 permit process; check the official immigration site for the terms in effect at the time of your trip.
Hero image: Heri nugroho (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons. Other photos via Unsplash and Wikimedia Commons.