Planning a trip to Bali or Jakarta starts with a single, crucial question: “Do I need a visa?” For citizens of nearly a hundred nations, the answer is a convenient “yes, but you can get it when you land.” The VOA system remains the most popular entry method for short-term visitors, offering a flexible balance between ease of access and immigration control. However, assuming your passport is on the list without checking the latest updates can lead to a stressful denial at the boarding gate.
As of early 2026, the Indonesian government grants VOA eligibility to citizens of 97 countries. This list has been stable since the significant expansion in late 2023, which added nations like Kenya and Kazakhstan. Whether you are coming for a surf trip in Uluwatu or a business meeting in Sudirman, knowing your eligibility status effectively removes the biggest hurdle to your entry. It transforms the arrival process from a potential bottleneck into a simple administrative step.
This guide provides the complete, alphabetized list of eligible countries and breaks down the practical differences between the traditional VOA and the digital e-VOA. We also cover essential requirements, designated entry points, and the strict penalties for overstaying. By verifying your status now, you ensure your journey into the archipelago begins with a stamp of approval, not a scramble for a return flight. For official applications, always use the government’s immigration portal.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: 97 Countries Eligible in 2026
- Full List of Eligible Countries (Updated 2026)
- VOA vs. e-VOA: What’s the Difference?
- Requirements, Fees, and Entry Points
- Real Story: The Land Border Misunderstanding
- How to Extend Your VOA (And What You Can't Do)
- VEA vs. VOA: The ASEAN Dilemma
- Overstay Penalties and Common Mistakes
- FAQ's about Indonesia Visa on Arrival 2026
Quick Answer: 97 Countries Eligible in 2026
If you are looking for the headline number, here it is: 97 countries and territories are currently eligible for this entry facility. This policy allows travelers to skip the pre-arrival embassy visits and simply purchase their entry permit upon landing at major international airports and seaports.
The list includes major tourism markets like Australia, the USA, the UK, China, and most European nations. It also covers recent additions from Africa and Central America, reflecting Indonesia’s push to diversify its tourism and business partnerships. If your passport is on this list, you are granted a 30-day stay that can be extended once. If your country is not on the list, you must apply for a The Single Entry Tourist Visa (Index C1, formerly known as B211A) before you fly.
Full List of Eligible Countries (Updated 2026)
Below is the definitive list of countries eligible for the VOA facility. If your passport is issued by one of these nations, you are clear to fly without a pre-arranged visa (though e-VOA is recommended for speed).
- A-B: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria.
- C-E: Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia.
- F-I: Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy.
- J-L: Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
- M-N: Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway.
- O-R: Oman, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda.
- S-T: San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tunisia, Turkey.
- U-V: Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam.
VOA vs. e-VOA: What’s the Difference?
While eligibility is identical, the application method differs significantly.
- VOA (Counter): You queue at the “Bank Rakyat Indonesia” (BRI) counter in the arrival hall, pay IDR 500,000* (cash or card), receive a receipt, and then queue again at immigration.
- e-VOA (Digital): You apply online via molina portal before you fly. After you pay the fee online the gate will automatically recognize your linked e-visa when you scan your passport.
For 2026 travelers, the e-VOA is strongly recommended to avoid long lines after a tiring flight.
(*Disclaimer: All prices may be revised at any time without prior notice by the authorized authority.)
Requirements, Fees, and Entry Points
Getting your VOA is straightforward, provided you have the right documents in hand. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter (this is non-negotiable), a return or onward ticket, and the fee of IDR 500,000* (approx. USD 32).
You can enter via major international airports like Ngurah Rai (Bali), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), and Juanda (Surabaya). Major seaports in Batam (Batam Centre, Sekupang) and Bali (Benoa) also issue VOAs. However, smaller land borders may not have VOA facilities, so always check if your specific entry point is authorized.
(*Disclaimer: All prices may be revised at any time without prior notice by the authorized authority.)
Real Story: The Land Border Misunderstanding
Meet Liam, a 26-year-old backpacker from the UK who had spent three months traveling through Malaysia. Liam was used to the ease of crossing borders in Southeast Asia and assumed Indonesia would be the same. He planned to cross into West Kalimantan via the Entikong land border on a bus from Kuching, intending to buy his Indonesian landing permit there.
When the bus arrived at the checkpoint, the humidity of the rainforest hit him, but the immigration officer’s words hit harder: “No VOA here for UK.” While Entikong is a designated post, at that specific time, the system was down, and officials were directing foreigners to apply online. Liam had no internet signal and no Indonesian Rupiah. He was stranded in “no man’s land” with a bus full of passengers waiting on him.
Luckily, a fellow traveler had a local hotspot. Liam frantically accessed a visa advisory service blog he had bookmarked, which linked directly to the official e-VOA portal. He managed to apply and pay on his phone right there at the border.
The e-visa approval email landed in his inbox 15 minutes later. He scanned his phone, got his stamp, and barely made it back onto the bus. He learned the hard way that while 97 countries are eligible, not every border post is equipped for on-the-spot processing. Now, he advises everyone: “Get the e-VOA before you get on the bus. It’s the only way to be safe.”
How to Extend Your VOA (And What You Can't Do)
One of the biggest advantages of this permit is extendability. Your initial 30-day stay can be extended one time for another 30 days, giving you a total of 60 days. This must be done at an immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) within Indonesia before your first 30 days expire.
The extension fee is also IDR 500,000*. However, this extension requires a visit to the office for biometrics (photo and fingerprints). Crucially, after 60 days, you must leave the country. You cannot convert a visitor permit into a KITAS (long-term stay permit) or a social visa while you are inside Indonesia.
(*Disclaimer: All prices may be revised at any time without prior notice by the authorized authority.)
VEA vs. VOA: The ASEAN Dilemma
Citizens of 9 ASEAN countries (plus Timor Leste) have a choice: the Visa Exemption Arrangement (VEA) or the VOA.
- VEA: Free entry, max 30 days. Cannot be extended.
- VOA: Paid (IDR 500k*), max 30 days. Can be extended for another 30 days.
If you are from Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand and plan to stay for 45 days, do not take the free entry. You must pay for the VOA upon arrival to have the option to extend.
(*Disclaimer: All prices may be revised at any time without prior notice by the authorized authority.)
Overstay Penalties and Common Mistakes
In 2026, the penalty for overstaying your visa remains steep: IDR 1,000,000 per day (approx. USD 65). If you stay just three days past your limit, you will pay IDR 3 million at the airport before you are allowed to leave. Overstaying more than 60 days leads to detention, deportation, and a blacklist ban.
Common Mistakes:
- Wrong Purpose: Using a VOA for work. Strict rule: VOA is for tourism and meetings only. No hands-on work.
- Counting Days: The day you arrive counts as Day 1. If you arrive on the 1st, you must leave on the 30th, not the 31st.
- No Cash: While cards are accepted, systems go offline. Always carry IDR or USD cash for the VOA fee as a backup.
FAQ's about Indonesia Visa on Arrival 2026
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Can I work in Bali on a VOA?
No. The VOA allows tourism, business meetings, and transit only. Working or earning money is strictly prohibited.
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Do I need a return ticket to get a VOA?
Yes. You must show a confirmed return or onward ticket leaving Indonesia within the 30 (or 60) day period.
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Can I apply for the e-VOA if I am already in Indonesia?
No. The e-VOA must be applied for before you pass through Indonesian immigration control.
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Is the VOA fee refundable if I get denied entry?
No. The fee is a processing charge and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
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Can I convert my VOA to a retirement visa later?
No. You must exit Indonesia and apply for a new visa offshore to change your permit type.
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Are babies and children exempt from the VOA fee?
No. Every passport holder, regardless of age, must pay the full VOA fee.
