All passports must be valid for six months from date of entry. Return tickets, documentation for onward travel and proof of sufficient funds (US$1,000 or valid credit card) is essential to be considered for a visa on arrival. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for a fee of US$10 for seven days or US$25 for a stay of up to 30 days, provided the passport contains at least one unused visa page for the visa-on-arrival sticker. A visa can also be purchased prior to arrival. Passengers holding an APEC Business Travel Card do not need a visa provided the back of the card affirms that it is
valid for travel to
Indonesia.
Americans: United States citizens require a passport and a visa.
UK nationals: British citizens require a passport and a visa.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa.
Australians: Australians require a passport and a visa.
South Africans: South Africans require a passport and a visa.
Irish nationals: Irish citizens require a passport and a visa.
New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a passport and a visa.
Health
There are a number of health risks associated with travel to Indonesia and medical advice should be taken at least three weeks before departing. Malaria is a year round risk except in
Jakarta, other large cities and the tourist resorts of Java and
Bali. The dengue fever mosquito is found throughout Indonesia and visitors should be aware of a significant increase in reported cases of dengue fever throughout all the country's provinces during the rainy season. Outbreaks of chikungunya fever, also from mosquitoes, have occurred regularly in Indonesia in recent years. Visitors to Java and
Sumatra are advised to ensure all polio inoculations are up to date before travel. Outbreaks of bird flu have also occurred. Human cases have been reported, and many people have died from the disease; Indonesia has the world's highest death toll from the virus. Travelers are not at risk but are advised to avoid close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds, and ensure that all eggs or poultry dishes are thoroughly cooked as a precaution. Outbreaks of Anthrax and leprosy occur. Travelers' diarrhoea is a major risk; visitors should only drink sealed bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat, salads and unpeeled fruit. Poor sanitation and eating contaminated food can increase the risk of cholera, typhoid and other diseases. The standard of local medical care is poor and very expensive. It is essential that you take out full medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities. A yellow fever certificate is required from those traveling from infected areas.
Safety
Following the bombings in Bali in October 2005, there remains a high risk of terrorism directed against foreigners throughout the country and reports indicate that terrorists are planning further attacks on Westerners and western interests and are likely to be carried out at locations frequented by tourists. Extreme caution is advised in public places, including transport terminals, shopping malls and public buildings, and especially in restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment in tourist areas. The security situation remains unsettled in
Sulawesi and foreigners are advised to avoid parts of
Maluku, particularly
Ambon, and
Central Sulawesi. Visitors are also advised to be cautious if traveling to
Aceh. Religious violence between Christians and Muslims and unstable politics has also made many parts of Indonesia unsafe for travelers; there is continued risk of harassment of Westerners by fundamentalists. Indonesia has a high crime rate and theft and petty crime is common in tourist areas and on public transport. Credit card fraud is on the increase. It is strongly recommended that visitors contact their foreign office for the latest travel advice before traveling to Indonesia. Flooding and landslides occur frequently during the rainy season between December and March. In May 2006 a severe earthquake near
Yogyakarta in
Central Java caused massive damage and disruption to infrastructure, and killed over 5,000 people. A major earthquake in the
Indian Ocean in July 2006 triggered a tsunami that hit the south coast of Java in Indonesia, killing over 500 people, and displacing about 500,000 more. All houses and hotels along
Pangandaran beach were destroyed. Another earthquake in March 2007 hit Sumatra killing at least 50 people, and an earthquake and its aftershocks in September 2007 caused damage and destruction to Sumatra. The safety of air travel in Indonesia has come under the spotlight following a series of fatal airline accidents; six of its airlines have failed to meet international safety standards, including the national carrier, Garuda, and in June 2007 the
EU announced that all Indonesian airlines have been banned from entering the EU.
