Jakarta. Foreigners planning to travel to Indonesia often face a dilemma in choosing between a visa on arrival (VoA) or a tourist visit visa.

According to the 2023 Law and Human Rights Ministry regulation, both visas serve for tourism, family visits, or transit purposes. However, there are some differences that travelers need to take note of, Felucia Sengky, the director for immigration traffic control, said. The following are those differences:

1) Visa Index

The VOA uses the B1 index, while the tourist visit visa --also known as visa kunjungan wisata (VKW)-- holds the C1 index.

2) Country Eligibility

Not all nationalities are eligible for VoA. Only 97 countries can obtain the visa-on-arrival, while citizens of any country can sign up for the tourist visit visa. 

3) Length of Stay

Upon initial issuance, VoA holders are permitted to stay in Indonesia for 30 days. Tourist visit visa holders can stay in the country for up to 60 days.

4) Cost

A VoA costs Rp 500,000 (approximately $30.8). Foreigners, however, must pay Rp 1.5 million for a tourist visit visa, but they can stay longer compared to the VoA holders.

5) Application Process

Foreigners can apply for a VoA at the airport or port’s immigration checkpoint upon arrival. They can also sign up for a visa on arrival at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Travelers applying for a tourist visit visa must first create an account on evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

6. Approval: 

A person can directly receive the VoA regardless of whether they apply in person or online, without requiring an account or guarantor. A tourist visit visa requires foreigners to have an account and/or guarantor beforehand. Its verification process also takes no later than five working days. If approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the email addresses of both the guarantor and the registered foreigner. 

7. Extension

Travelers may only extend VoA once for an additional 30 days. They may apply for an extension at evisa.imigrasi.go.id (specifically for e-voa) or in person at any immigration office in Indonesia. Unlike VoA, the tourist visit visa can be extended for a total stay of 180 days. Extensions can also be done online through evisa.imigrasi.go.id or in person at any immigration office across the archipelago.

"Choose the visa that suits your needs the best. If you are still confused about other immigration information, you can contact the Immigration Directorate General’s live chat at www.imigrasi.go.id on weekdays, starting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Sengky was quoted as saying in the press statement.