Introduction
In 2025 there are three main entry options: visa‑free entry for up to 30 days (subject to conditions), Visa on Arrival (VOA) and e‑visa or traditional visa.
Note: The website of the Embassy of Indonesia in Warsaw states that holders of Polish passports may use visa‑free entry for up to 30 days. In practice, however, airports still require payment of the VOA fee (USD 35) and issue a visa sticker, so many travellers treat this stay as a visa on arrival. Always check the latest official information before departure.
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA) – the most popular option for a short holiday
Fee: USD 35 (payable by card or in cash).
Validity of the document: you must enter within 90 days from the date of issue, and the stay itself may last a maximum of 30 days.
Extension: once, for a further 30 days at a local immigration office; after extension, the total stay is 60 days.
Where available: Soekarno–Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, and most major seaports and land border crossings.
The issuance procedure usually takes about 15 minutes: you go to the VOA counter, pay the fee, receive a sticker in your passport and an entry stamp. Keep the “green slip” (receipt) until departure, as the immigration officer on exit may ask for it.
2. E‑visa – for those who prefer to arrange everything online
The Indonesian system makes it possible to obtain an electronic e‑visa before departure. The PDF file is sent by e‑mail; you must print it out and present it at the border. The following are available:
Single‑entry tourist visa – consular fee EUR 92, stay up to 60 days.
Multiple‑entry tourist visa (one year) – EUR 184, multiple entries, each for up to 60 days.
Single‑entry business visa – EUR 115.
Multiple‑entry business visa (one year) – EUR 230.
In addition to the official fees, you should add a small service charge if you use an intermediary.
Required scans:
– passport (bio‑data page),
– recent photograph,
– bank statement showing at least USD 2,000 or equivalent,
– ticket (a provisional reservation is acceptable),
– a business visa requires an invitation letter bearing a meterai stamp of IDR 6,000.
3. Traditional visa affixed in the passport
If you are planning one continuous stay of more than 60 days (e.g. volunteering, language courses, a longer holiday) or intend to travel for work or with your family, it is better to apply for a visa at the Embassy of Indonesia in Warsaw:
Documents: passport valid for 6 months + 2 biometric photographs + 2 paper application forms + flight and hotel reservations + bank statement of at least PLN 8,000 (tourist visa) or a company invitation letter (business visa).
Processing time: approx. 4–10 working days.
Fees: from USD 50 for a single‑entry visa to approx. EUR 230 for a one‑year multiple‑entry visa – depending on the category.
4. Mandatory Bali tourism levy
Since 14 February 2024 every foreign national entering Bali pays a one‑off tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (approx. USD 10). You may pay online before departure or at special kiosks at Denpasar Airport. Without proof of payment you will not be allowed to leave the arrivals hall.
5. Travel insurance – more than a formality
Indonesian officials are increasingly asking for a policy covering medical expenses and possible repatriation. A document in English (printout or PDF on your phone) is sometimes checked at random when your entry stamp is issued; lack of insurance may result in refusal of entry.
6. Extension of stay and overstay penalties
VOA and e‑visas can be extended once, for a maximum of 30 days; the application is submitted at the local immigration office no later than one week before expiry.
Overstaying results in a fine of IDR 1,000,000 for each day; after more than 60 days you risk deportation and a re‑entry ban.
7. Complete set of documents – quick checklist
Before departure prepare:
• a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return;
• confirmation of the visa type you have chosen (VOA, e‑visa, visa in passport);
• return or onward ticket;
• accommodation booking, at least for the first nights;
• travel insurance;
• bank statement (PLN 8,000 or USD 2,000 – depending on the type of visa);
• printout confirming payment of the Bali levy if you are landing there.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I really need a visa if I am going for 2 weeks?
– Official information suggests that Polish nationals are exempt from a visa for up to 30 days, but in practice you will receive a VOA stamp with a fee of USD 35. Without payment you will not pass border control.Can I enter Bali, then go to Singapore and return to Indonesia on the same visa?
– Yes, if you purchase a one‑year multiple‑entry e‑visa (EUR 184) or a multiple‑entry business visa (EUR 230). A standard VOA becomes invalid once you leave.I do not have a ticket yet; will the e‑visa still be granted?
– Yes, a so‑called dummy ticket – a free reservation valid for 24 hours – is sufficient. You can buy your actual flight later.Do I really need to have USD 2,000 in my account?
– This is an official requirement for the e‑visa; the balance is checked once on a PDF bank statement.How long does it take to get an e‑visa?
– Usually 4–10 days; in peak season even up to two weeks, so apply well in advance.
Summary
To avoid stress at the airport, follow four steps: ① check your passport’s validity, ② choose the appropriate visa category or VOA, ③ prepare your ticket, insurance and accommodation confirmation, ④ take a printout of your e‑visa or cash for the VOA fee and the Bali levy. By following these guidelines, you will cross Indonesia’s border without difficulty and immediately focus on what matters most – exploring temples, surfing the waves and enjoying nasi goreng. Selamat jalan! (“Safe travels!”).