Indonesia has reopened its borders to foreign tourists and it’s now easy to go on holiday to Bali, Komodo and all of Indonesia’s other great destinations.
Sayyan Point, Ubud, Bali © Travelhappy
Indonesia has reopened to foreign tourists. You only need to show proof of vaccination when arriving at Indonesian immigration. No negative PCR test is required.
Be aware that while only proof of 2 vaccinations are required to enter Indonesia, to travel on Indonesian domestic flights requires proof of three shots (2 vaccinations and booster shot).
A lot of official online advice about entering Indonesia mentions the downloading the Peduli Lindungi app. In practice this is not needed for foreigners.
Arriving at Indonesia Immigration
I’ve been through Bali airport (officially named Ngurah Rai International Airport) twice in June and August 2022.
Both times the procedure was the same:
Before arriving at Immigration, there’s a row of desks where your vaccination status is checked. Join the queue and wait for a desk to become free.
You need to show proof of vaccination and your passport. The vaccination certificate needs to show you’ve had at least two shots. If you print out your vaccination record it’s easier for the staff to see it.
Remember your passport needs to have six months validity and two blank pages otherwise you may be refused entry into the country. Officially you are also required to have proof of your return flight for departing Indonesia, although this is rarely requested to be seen by immigration officials.
In June you also needed to show proof of travel insurance that covered Covid-19. World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Showing proof of travel insurance was no longer required on subsequent visits.
Once your details have been logged, you can proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter to buy your visa, and then go and join the immigration queue.
The Peduli Lindungi app
You’ll see big signs in the airport telling you to download the Peduli Lindungi app. Most online advice about Indonesia immigration also mentions you need to download this app.
However, in practice it doesn’t seem necessary for foreign tourists to have it. I was never asked to show the app on my phone by any immigration or airline staff.
The app is primarily for Indonesians to show their vaccination status and location. While foreigners can theoretically get your vaccination records displayed in the app by emailing them to the government department that administers the app, this takes weeks to happen. It’s much easier to simply have a printout of your vaccination proof to show anyone who needs it.
Domestic Flights In Indonesia Require Proof Of 3 Vaccination Shots
Be aware that for domestic flights in Indonesia, you are currently expected to show proof of having had three vaccination shots (2 shots plus booster). You will be asked this by airline check-in staff and also possibly by security guards who control entrance to the airport itself. On flying to Bima I was asked to confirm this but not asked for proof. On the flight back from Labuan Bajo I was asked to show proof at the entrance to the airport.
Official Indonesian Government Advice
I found the website of the Indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands to be the most helpful in giving an up-to-date and concise explanation of the rules for entering Indonesia. Jump down to the “Health protocol and quarantine regulations” section
Visa on Arrival in Indonesia
You’re entitled to a visa-free entry if you’re a citizen of one of these countries:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Otherwise you buy a visa on arrival in Indonesia. It’s around 500,000 IND for a 30 day visa but the cost is dependent on your nationality.
You can use USD, EUR, GBP, JPY and other major currencies in cash to pay as well as Indonesian Rupiah. You can’t use a credit or debit card to pay.
Bali and Ubud Itineraries
1 Week Bali Itinerary
image © eGuide Travel
Bali is a unique, interesting island with a huge amount of things to do. A Bali 1 week traevl itinerary gives you a chance to see many of Bali’s highlights
2 Week Bali Itinerary
image © Simon Sees
A Bali 2 week travel itinerary is so full of rewarding activities that it’s possible to spend two weeks doing something different every day of your trip.
Where To Stay In Ubud
image © Kevin Poh
Choosing where to stay in Ubud carefully is important to make sure you enjoy your time in Bali’s cultural and historic centre.
Ubud Itinerary: One To Three Days In Ubud
image © Fabio Achilli
An Ubud itinerary should be an essential part of any visit to Bali. Make the most of your time in Ubud with these 1, 2 and 3 day Ubud itineraries
