Indonesia offers several visa options for foreigners, each designed for a specific purpose. Choosing the wrong one can lead to fines, overstays, or immigration trouble, so clarity matters.
The most common option for short stays is the Visa on Arrival (VOA). It allows a 30-day stay and can be extended once. This visa is suitable only for tourism or social visits. Working under this visa is illegal.
For longer stays without employment, the B211 Visit Visa is widely used. It allows stays up to 180 days through extensions and is commonly used by digital nomads who do not work for Indonesian companies.
Those planning to work legally in Indonesia need a Work KITAS, sponsored by an Indonesian company and paired with a work permit. Investors and business owners often apply for an Investor KITAS, which allows residence and business activity without a traditional work permit.
Other long-term options include Family KITAS, Retirement KITAS, and Student KITAS, each with specific eligibility requirements.
Understanding these categories is the first step. The second is execution—documents, sponsors, timelines, and compliance. This is where professional visa assistance prevents expensive mistakes.