Passport Requirements in Indonesia

The Indonesian government has strict passport requirements for all foreign nationals, including United States citizens. Specifically, travelers must have a valid passport that is at least six months old and has two blank visa pages. A traveler who arrives in Indonesia with a passport that does not meet these criteria will be denied entry on the spot and must depart immediately.

Indonesia requires all passports to be free from tears or stains and in near-perfect condition, with no water damage. In February, an Australian tourist was detained at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali because his passport had a tiny tear on the inside. He was eventually allowed to enter Indonesia, but the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of traveling with a passport in good condition.

Passports that do not meet the required standards can be confiscated by border agents at any port of entry. If you are unsure whether your passport meets these standards, contact your local immigration office syarat buat paspor.

You should also check the validity of your current passport before you travel. If your passport is close to its expiry date, you may be able to get it extended or renewed before you leave. However, this process can take up to eight weeks and you may need to pay an expedited fee.

In addition, be sure to read the passport rules of your home country. While some countries are less stringent than Indonesia on how long your passport can be valid, it is still important to check with your government to make sure you meet all of the necessary requirements before leaving your home country.

Depending on your passport type, you will need to provide additional documents. Those travelling for business will need to submit an application form and letter from their company, organization or institution. This must be written on company letterhead and include the full address of the business, as well as the number of days and entries needed for the visa.

If you are planning to work in Indonesia, it is a good idea to review your employment contract carefully before you depart for the country. Some contracts include a monetary penalty for early termination, which can prevent you from leaving the country if you wish to.

Be aware that many English schools in Indonesia will hold passports for their employees to ensure that they abide by the terms of their contracts and pay the corresponding penalties. This can cause difficulties for American citizens who teach in Indonesia because they are not able to leave the country when they desire.

Dual Nationality

The Indonesian government does not recognize dual nationality for adults over 18 years of age. Because of this, parents whose children hold both Indonesian and United States citizenship continue to experience problems with immigration procedures in Indonesia.

For example, in 2006 the Indonesian parliament passed a law that allows children under 18 years of age to hold both Indonesian and foreign citizenship. This could have significant consequences for dual nationality Americans who have both U.S. and Indonesian citizenships.