Foreigners entering Indonesia for business purposes need to ensure they have appropriate visa documentation that aligns with their intended activities and length of stay. Indonesian business visas permit specific commercial activities while maintaining restrictions on employment and salary-based work within the country.
This guide examines the three types of business visas available in Indonesia, documenting requirements for each category, permitted activities under business visa regulations and the application process for securing authorisation.
- Indonesia offers three business visa types: visa on arrival, single-entry visa and multiple-entry visa.
- Business visas permit activities including negotiations, meetings, conferences, audits and short-term training, but prohibit employment by Indonesian companies or receiving salary payments.
- Foreigners from 97 specified countries need business visas regardless of visit duration.
- Holders of passports from 16 specified countries are exempt from business visa requirements for entry into Indonesia, subject to applicable conditions.
- Foreign nationals from six designated countries must undergo the Calling Visa process before entering Indonesia, which involves several mandatory procedures.
What is a business visa in Indonesia?
A business visa allows foreign nationals to visit Indonesia for commercial activities without establishing formal employment relationships. This visa category specifically prohibits working for Indonesian companies or receiving salaries from local entities. Visitors conducting business under this
Permitted activities under business visas
Business visas cover a range of commercial and professional activities. Holders can conduct social activities, participate in government tasks and attend short-duration training or study programmes. The visa permits collaboration with Indonesian entities for foreign marketing initiatives, including providing guidance, counselling and training.
Journalistic reporting and non-commercial film production activities fall within the scope of business visas. Business travellers can engage in negotiations, attend seminars, conferences or lectures and participate in international fairs and exhibitions. The visa also permits subsidiaries’ auditing, inspection or production quality control for periods up to one month, as well as purchasing goods from Indonesian suppliers.
Types of business visas in Indonesia
Indonesia offers three distinct business visa categories, each suited to different visit durations and travel patterns. There are limitations and extension possibilities of each type and knowing them helps business travellers select the most appropriate option.
Visa on Arrival
The Visa on Arrival (VoA) serves short-term business visitors plnning to stay in Indonesia for 30 days or less. Travellers may obtain this visa upon arrival at designated Indonesian entry points or apply prior to departure through the Indonesia VoA system. The visa may be extended once for an additional 30 days through an application at the Indonesian Immigration Office.
Applicants must hold passports valid for at least six months from the entry date. Return tickets demonstrating intended departure from Indonesia are required for visa on arrival processing.
Single-entry business visa
Single-entry business visas allow a stay of up to 60 days. Foreign nationals must apply for this visa through the Indonesian immigration system prior to travel. Applicants must hold passports valid for at least six months from the entry date. This visa may be extended up to three times through applications submitted to the Indonesian Immigration Authorities, with each extension granting an additional period of stay.
The single-entry visa expires upon departure from Indonesia. Travellers who leave the country after their visa has expired cannot extend it and a new visa must be obtained for any subsequent visits.
Multiple-entry business visa
The multiple-entry business visa is available in several validity periods for frequent business travellers, including one year, two years and five years, each subject to different government fees. The Immigration Office in Indonesia issues this visa type, which allows unlimited entries and exits during the validity period. However, each individual stay cannot exceed 60 days, requiring travellers to exit and re-enter Indonesia for extended business engagements.
Applicants for multiple-entry business visas need a Letter of Visa Authorisation from the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta. An Indonesian sponsor obtains this authorisation on the applicant’s behalf.
Who needs a business visa in Indonesia?
Business visa requirements vary based on nationality and intended length of stay. Citizens from 97 countries must obtain business visas. These countries include:
| No | Country | No | Country | No | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 34 | Germany | 67 | Qatar |
| 2 | Albania | 35 | Cambodia | 68 | Romania |
| 3 | United States (USA) | 36 | Canada | 69 | Russia |
| 4 | Andorra | 37 | Kazakhstan | 70 | Rwanda |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 38 | Kenya | 71 | San Marino |
| 6 | Argentina | 39 | Colombia | 72 | New Zealand |
| 7 | Armenia | 40 | South Korea | 73 | Serbia |
| 8 | Australia | 41 | Croatia | 74 | Seychelles |
| 9 | Austria | 42 | Kuwait | 75 | Singapore |
| 10 | Bahrain | 43 | Laos | 76 | Cyprus |
| 11 | Netherlands | 44 | Latvia | 77 | Slovakia |
| 12 | Belarus | 45 | Liechtenstein | 78 | Slovenia |
| 13 | Belgium | 46 | Lithuania | 79 | Spain |
| 14 | Brazil | 47 | Luxembourg | 80 | Suriname |
| 15 | Brunei Darussalam | 48 | Macau | 81 | Sweden |
| 16 | Bosnia Herzegovina | 49 | Maldives | 82 | Switzerland |
| 17 | Bulgaria | 50 | Malaysia | 83 | Taiwan |
| 18 | Czech Republic | 51 | Malta | 84 | Tanzania |
| 19 | Chile | 52 | Morocco | 85 | Thailand |
| 20 | Denmark | 53 | Mexico | 86 | Timor-Leste |
| 21 | Ecuador | 54 | Egypt | 87 | China |
| 22 | Estonia | 55 | Monaco | 88 | Tunisia |
| 23 | Philippines | 56 | Mongolia | 89 | Turkey |
| 24 | Finland | 57 | Mozambique | 90 | United Arab Emirates |
| 25 | Guatemala | 58 | Myanmar | 91 | Uzbekistan |
| 26 | Hong Kong | 59 | Norway | 92 | Ukraine |
| 27 | Hungary | 60 | Oman | 93 | Vatican City |
| 28 | India | 61 | Palestine | 94 | Venezuela |
| 29 | United Kingdom | 62 | Papua New Guinea | 95 | Vietnam |
| 30 | Ireland | 63 | France | 96 | Jordan |
| 31 | Italy | 64 | Peru | 97 | Greece |
| 32 | Iceland | 65 | Poland | ||
| 33 | Japan | 66 | Portugal |
The above nationalities require business visas when planning to stay longer than 30 days or when engaging in activities that exceed tourist visa permissions.
Who is exempt from a business visa in Indonesia?
Foreign nationals of the following sixteen countries are exempt from business visa requirements for entry into Indonesia:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Cambodia
- Singapore
- Myanmar
- Laos
- Timor Leste
- Suriname
- Colombia
- Hong Kong
- Türkiye
- Brazil
- Peru
Additionally, foreign nationals holding permanent resident status in Singapore may also be eligible for business visa exemption, provided they enter Indonesia through designated immigration checkpoints, including Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Marina Teluk Senimba, Batam Centre, Citra Tri Tunas, Sekupang, Sri Bintan Pura, Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi and Tanjung Balai Karimun.
Calling visa obligations
Below are the countries whose nationals are required to apply for a Calling visa. This process must be coordinated with an Indonesian sponsor and involves consultation with the relevant Indonesian authorities:
- Afghanistan
- Israel
- North Korea
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Somalia
Business visa document requirements
Business visa applications demand comprehensive documentation demonstrating the purpose and duration of the intended visit. Applicants should prepare the following:
- The complete Indonesian visa application form
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity from the planned entry date
- A passport copy accompanying the application
- A photograph measuring 3 cm by 4 cm or 4 cm by 6 cm, featuring a white background and taken within three months of the application date. The applicant’s face should be fully visible without headgear unless worn for religious purposes.
- Temporary address in Indonesia
- The latest sponsor company’s bank statement
- Travel documentation, including copies of round-trip or onward travel tickets demonstrating departure plans
- A business visa cover letter from the applicant’s company, organisation or institution. This letter includes the full address and telephone number of the entity, specifies the number of days and entries requested and confirms the business purpose of the visit.
- An invitation letter from the Indonesian company, organisation or institution being visited forms part of the application. This letter includes the host entity’s complete address and telephone number, specifies the requested visa duration and entry frequency and clarifies whether the host assumes responsibility for accommodation and maintenance costs.
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Non-citizens residing outside their country of nationality provide copies of valid residence permits or visas from their country of residence.
Application process for business visas
Business visa applicants must submit their application through either the Indonesia immigration system or the Indonesia e-VOA system, depending on the type of visa. Requirements can vary between different nationalities.
Once all required documents have been prepared, applicants are required to pay the applicable visa fee and submit the complete application through the relevant system in accordance with the applicable procedure. The standard processing timeline is approximately seven to 14 working days, subject to system processing and approval by the Indonesian Immigration authorities. Upon approval, the e-Visa will be issued and sent through the applicant’s account or registered email address.
Depending on the selected business visa type, the application process may be handled either by an Indonesian sponsor on behalf of the applicant or by the foreign national directly.
Business visa extensions
Business visa holders who wish to extend their stay must apply for an extension at the Indonesian Immigration Office before their current visa expires. Extension fees are generally the same as the original visa fee, and applicants may request up to three extensions, with each extension granting an additional stay of 30 to 60 days, depending on the visa type.
Multiple-entry business visa holders do not need extensions as their visa permits multiple entries over the 12-month validity period. These holders simply exit and re-enter Indonesia before exceeding the 60-day maximum for individual stays.
Travellers who enter visa-free and remain beyond 30 days incur overstay penalties. The fee for overstaying approximates USD 70 per day beyond the authorised period.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s business visa system distinguishes short, single and frequent-entry travel in a way that allows foreign representatives to conduct defined commercial activities while firmly excluding any form of local employment. The differences in stay limits, extension rules and the added sponsorship requirement for multiple-entry visas highlight how important it is for travellers to match their visa choice to the rhythm and purpose of their visits. Nationality-based rules, documentation requirements and embassy-specific procedures further shape how straightforward or involved the application process will be for each applicant.
For those planning business engagements in Indonesia, the most practical next steps involve aligning intended activities with what each visa type permits, preparing documentation that clearly establishes purpose and duration and building in time for extensions or sponsor authorisation where required. Foreign nationals transitioning to longer-term business activities should also review the Indonesia work permit guide to understand the full employment pathway for foreign nationals.
How Acclime can help with your business visa
Acclime’s professional immigration team provides support for business visa applications and work permit processing in Indonesia. We guide clients through documentation requirements, liaise with Indonesian sponsors for authorisation letters and manage the application process with Indonesian embassies and immigration authorities.
Our services cover all business visa categories, including short-term visa on arrival plans to complex multiple-entry visa applications with Indonesian sponsor coordination. We ensure applications contain complete, accurate documentation that meets current immigration requirements. Contact Acclime to discuss your Indonesian business visa requirements.
Acclime helps businesses, from funded startups to multinational corporations, start and operate in Indonesia and beyond, navigating local regulatory complexities to maximise opportunities while ensuring compliance. As a trusted partner, we provide premier advisory and corporate services across Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.
