Indonesia is a top-ranking destination in Southeast Asia in many respects. It’s home to some of the best beaches, lowest prices, and yummiest dishes, but also (unfortunately) some of the more difficult visa restrictions. For much of 2020, the only foreigners allowed to remain in Indonesia were those that had gotten stuck as travel bans fell into place across the globe. However, vacationers that have been cooped up this year are finally getting a bit of a lucky break. This coming month, Indonesia approved a new possibility for travellers hoping to break out of their quarantine bubbles and get back to warm weather and sunshine–e-Visas!

Currently, e-Visas are available for one-time Visit Visas (B211A and B211B), Limited Stay Visas, Investor Visas (C312, C313, and C314), Family Unification Visas (C317), and International Elderly Tourists Visas (C319).

It’s time-consuming and costly to make mistakes throughout your visa application process, so we’re here to make sure that securing the new Indonesian e-Visa is as easy and straightforward as possible. Keep reading for all the need-to-know information, including a step-by-step guide to getting your e-Visa, typical costs, and a list of other important documents you’ll have to prepare before you actually arrive in Indonesia.

The first step to securing an e-Visa of your own is to find a local sponsor. They must have Indonesian citizenship and be willing to take responsibility for you throughout your stay in the country. If you don’t have a friend or family member willing to serve as your sponsor, many agencies will offer that service as part of handling your visa application.

After your sponsor has been approved and they’ve submitted your personal information, they’ll need to pay US$50 for Visit Visa applications or US$150 for Temporary Stay Visas. These prices are essentially the same as that on-shore, and of course, there will be extra fees associated with using an agency.

If you choose to do it on your own without an agency, remember that the official immigration site only takes a limited number of online applications every day. The system is open starting at 8 am every weekday, so plan accordingly.

Before the introduction of e-Visas, foreigners entering Indonesia first needed a Telex, which would later be converted into a physical visa placed into their passport. Now, almost everything is digital, and applicants can fly into the country upon receipt of their emailed visa approval!

Keep in mind that even after your e-Visa is approved, there are a few more steps that must be taken before you can safely enter Bali. Travellers are required to provide a valid medical certificate issued by a local health authority as well as a negative PCR test, both issued within seven days of their arrival date. Furthermore, you have to show a statement of willingness to go into quarantine, although voluntary quarantines can be carried out from the comfort of wherever you choose to stay. Finally, you’ll need either health insurance or a statement that declares you are willing to cover any medical costs incurred should you happen to test positive for Covid-19 during your time in Indonesia.

It’s as easy as that. Find a sponsor, submit your information, then sit back and wait for your approval email to arrive. Once it does, get the necessary tests, a flight, and you’ll be on your way!

E-Visas provide a much more efficient and streamlined process for entering Indonesia, especially under the current circumstances. You’ll be dealing with smaller piles of paperwork, fewer hours spent waiting in immigration, and overall a much speedier and less stressful experience. And you won’t just be getting an amazing vacation out of it; These visa updates are also intended to help Bali and Indonesia as a whole bounce back from the economic devastation of this year.

In a press release, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said “This is to bring a positive message to [other countries] that Indonesia has made bureaucratic reforms and is ready to become a destination for foreign investment.”

Gone are the days of travelling to far-away consulates and immigration offices in the hopes of snagging an Indonesian visa. The e-Visa process is already being celebrated as easier and more efficient than prior systems, and best of all, it’s done entirely from the place we’ve all been spending our time this year–in front of your very own computer screen!