UK holidaymakers are being warned of “heavy fines and deportation” if they travel to Indonesia without the necessary documentation. As we move past Christmas, Brits venturing beyond the European Union have been cautioned about visa requirements when visiting the Far Eastern nation.
The Foreign Office has clarified: “To enter Indonesia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.”
“Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”
A visa is also required for entry into Indonesia, according to the Foreign Office. Tourists can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival (VOA) for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, procurement of goods, official visits or government duties.
The VOA, which costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah and can be paid in cash or by card, is only valid for a single entry. Travellers must meet passport validity requirements and possess a return or onward ticket, reports Birmingham Live.
Alternatively, a visa application can be made at least a week prior to departure via the Indonesian immigration website, where options for a multiple-entry visa or a 60-day visa are available.
The statement further warned: “Beware of visa scams by fake visa agents who, having taken your money, may fail to provide a visa or supply the wrong visa. This could result in you overstaying and getting a fine of 1 million rupiah (£50) a day, plus possible deportation and a re-entry ban. Use the Indonesian immigration website to get or extend your visa.”
It also highlighted that “Visa scams are increasing in Indonesia. Some travellers have lost significant amounts of money. Others have been deported despite paying a large fee to an agent to get the correct visa or extension.”