
For years, travelers from specific regions faced blanket bans, leaving many unsure if their home countries were still on a “red list.” This uncertainty often led to cancelled flights and missed reunions as COVID-era restrictions fluctuated without clear warning or explanation.
Today, the removal of nationality-based bans means all visitors can apply for visas under standard 2026 health and immigration protocols. By utilizing the official immigration portal, visitors can now navigate the arrival process with much greater certainty than in previous seasons.
This shift marks a return to pre-pandemic accessibility, replacing outdated exclusions with a streamlined digital screening process. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about the current visa landscape, mandatory apps, and financial requirements to ensure your Indonesia Entry After Red List removal is smooth and legally compliant.
Table of Contents
- The Transformation of Indonesian Border Policy
- Current Health Protocols and Health Pass Mandates
- The All Indonesia App: Your New Mandatory Gateway
- Selecting the Right Visa Category for 2026
- Real Story: Reconnecting with the Island of the Gods
- Financial Scrutiny and Quality Tourism Requirements
- Extension Procedures and Biometric Compliance
- Regional Levies and Customs Formalities
- FAQ's about Indonesia Entry After Red List
The Transformation of Indonesian Border Policy
The landscape of Indonesian immigration underwent a significant shift when the government officially removed the country-specific bans. Previously, travelers from the UK, parts of Europe, and several African nations were prohibited from entering due to varying health concerns. With these restrictions lifted, the focus has moved from where you are from to how you enter. Immigration authorities have resumed processing pending visa cases that were once frozen, opening the doors for a global audience to return to the archipelago.
This means that post-restriction arrival protocols now prioritize individual compliance over geographical origin. Whether you are traveling for tourism, family, or business, the path forward is now governed by the standard visa index system rather than a blanket exclusion. For many, this has been the green light needed to finally book long-delayed trips to Jakarta or Bali, knowing that their passport origin will no longer be an automatic trigger for rejection. Every successful update to the system ensures that the border remains open to those who follow the proper electronic filing procedures.
Current Health Protocols and Health Pass Mandates
As of 2026, the strict quarantine mandates that once defined Indonesian travel have been largely phased out. According to the latest Task Force (Satgas) circulars, fully vaccinated travelers—those who have completed at least two doses—are no longer required to isolate upon arrival. Furthermore, the mandatory on-arrival PCR tests have been dropped for the vast majority of international visitors, moving the process closer to the pre-pandemic norm while maintaining residual health monitoring systems.
While systematic checks of vaccination records have decreased in frequency, it is still professionally advised to carry a digital or physical copy of your records. The Indonesian open-border framework remains dynamic, and while there is currently no quarantine, the government retains the right to specify testing for rare variants or regional emergencies. For most first-time visitors, the primary focus is no longer health certificates, but ensuring their immigration documentation is perfectly aligned with their intended stay.
The All Indonesia App: Your New Mandatory Gateway
The most significant administrative change for 2026 is the rollout of the Molina Portal. This platform integrates immigration, customs, and health declarations into a single digital gateway. Mandatory for travelers arriving at major hubs like Jakarta (CGK) and Bali (DPS) since late 2025, the app is now a primary filter for all international arrivals. Travelers must register their arrival data and generate a QR code that is scanned at various checkpoints within the airport terminal.
Failing to complete this step before travel can cause significant bottlenecks at the gate. This unified digital screening system relies heavily on gatekeeping to monitor traffic and ensure safety without reverting to bans. It is recommended to download the app and complete your declarations within 72 hours of your flight. This proactive approach ensures your experience is optimized, allowing you to be pre-cleared for both immigration and customs before your plane even touches the tarmac.
Selecting the Right Visa Category for 2026
Choosing the right visa is the cornerstone of a legal stay in the archipelago. For citizens of most countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and much of Europe, the e-VoA (B1) remains the most accessible option. This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days. For citizens of the 10 ASEAN member states, visa-free entry (A1) remains available for 30 days but cannot be extended or converted, requiring an exit once the time limit is reached.
For travelers planning a longer residency or a business trip, the C-index and D-index e-Visas are the preferred tools. The C1 tourist visa allows for a 60-day stay with the possibility of two extensions, potentially totaling 180 days without needing to leave the country. Meanwhile, the D12 multiple-entry visa is designed for frequent visitors, permitting multiple stays over a one-to-two-year period. Securing a smooth arrival under these nationality-neutral immigration rules means matching your visa choice to your actual itinerary to avoid the legal risks of overstaying.
Real Story: Reconnecting with the Island of the Gods
Klara, a landscape architect from Cape Town, South Africa, had spent two years staring at a “Nationality Restricted” error message on the Indonesian visa portal. Her South African passport had effectively become a “no-entry” card. But in early 2026, the restrictive policies vanished. When she logged back in, the button that had been grayed out for years finally turned a vibrant green.
Landing in Jakarta, Klara felt a phantom anxiety. Would they see her passport and pull her aside? As she walked toward the biometric scanners, the air in the terminal was thick with the scent of clove cigarettes and the humid promise of the tropics. She pulled up her digital QR code, her hand shaking slightly as she neared the gate. The gate scanned her code and opened silently. No questions about her origin, no extra health interviews.
To ensure her arrival in Seminyak was just as smooth, she had pre-arranged her transport through a trusted travel management company. Twenty minutes later, Klara was sitting in a terminal cafe, steam rising from a bowl of spicy Sop Buntut. The spices hit her tongue—clove, nutmeg, and chili—signaling that her exile was over. “The return to an open border wasn’t just a policy update for me,” Klara says. “It was the day I got my favorite part of the world back.”
Financial Scrutiny and Quality Tourism Requirements
One area of increased scrutiny in 2026 involves the demonstration of sufficient funds. While the national policy on a specific cash balance is not always strictly enforced, immigration officers at the border have the authority to request evidence of financial stability. This is particularly relevant in Bali, where there have been proposals to require three-month bank statements from incoming tourists to ensure they can support themselves throughout their stay without engaging in illegal work.
While this specific bank statement rule has not yet been formalized as a nationwide mandate, travelers should be prepared. Having a digital copy of your recent statements or a healthy bank balance on your mobile app can prevent uncomfortable questions at the immigration counter. The current Unified digital screening system environment focuses on quality tourism, and demonstrating that you have the means to cover your first few weeks of accommodation is a simple way to satisfy border officials.
Extension Procedures and Biometric Compliance
If you enter on a Visa on Arrival (VoA), you must remember that the initial 30 days pass quickly. Extending this visa requires a visit to a local immigration office, such as those in Jimbaran or Renon if you are in Bali. Unlike the initial entry, which is often digital, the extension process involves capturing biometrics—including a fresh photo and fingerprints. This typically requires at least one or two in-person visits to the immigration office, depending on the current backlog of applications.
It is critical to start this process at least ten days before your first 30-day window expires. Failure to do so can lead to an overstay fine, which in 2026 is strictly enforced at the airport departure gate. The system is designed for compliance; as long as you attend your appointments and provide the correct sponsor details, extending your stay is a routine administrative task. Professional agents can often assist with the paperwork, but your physical presence for the biometric scan remains a mandatory requirement.
Regional Levies and Customs Formalities
Once you clear immigration, you must still navigate customs and regional requirements. Every traveler is required to submit an electronic customs declaration (e-CD) via the official Beacukai portal. If you are carrying more than IDR 100 million in cash (roughly USD 6,500), you must declare it to avoid confiscation. Additionally, the provincial government of Bali continues to enforce a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per entry. This can be paid through the “Love Bali” app, and you should keep the QR code handy.
The total process of your arrival is a multi-layered journey that combines national immigration rules with regional taxes. While the national restrictions are gone, the local focus is on environmental and cultural sustainability. Ensuring you have paid your Bali levy and submitted your customs QR code allows you to exit the airport smoothly. These small administrative steps are the final hurdles between the terminal and the beautiful landscapes of the islands.
FAQ's about Indonesia Entry After Red List
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Are there any countries currently banned from entering Indonesia?
No, the nationality-based restrictions have been removed. All nationalities can now apply for visas as long as they meet standard immigration and health requirements.
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Do I still need a PCR test to enter Bali in 2026?
No, for fully vaccinated travelers, pre-departure and on-arrival PCR tests are generally no longer required, though you should check for any sudden health circulars before flying.
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What is the molina portal and is it mandatory?
Yes, it is a mandatory digital platform used to submit your health, customs, and immigration declarations. You must show the generated QR code to officials upon arrival.
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Can I extend a 30-day Visa on Arrival (VoA)?
Yes, the B1 VoA can be extended once for an additional 30 days, totaling a 60-day stay. You will need to visit an immigration office for biometrics.
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Is there still a quarantine period for unvaccinated travelers?
Policy can vary, but generally, Indonesia has shifted away from quarantine for those who meet the current vaccination guidelines. Unvaccinated travelers may face stricter entry hurdles or be denied boarding by airlines.
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How much is the Bali tourist levy in 2026?
The Bali provincial levy is IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor per entry, which should be paid via the Love Bali portal.






