Indonesia scraps on-arrival PCR tests for all, and visa requirement for ASEAN nationals

Effective 6 April, Indonesia has removed its on-arrival PCR test for all travellers, and waived the visa requirement for ASEAN nationals.

Travel to Bali and the rest of Indonesia is now a whole lot simpler, with the government scrapping the on-arrival PCR test for all arrivals, as well as the visa requirement for ASEAN nationals effective 6 April 2022. 

On-arrival testing will only be required for travellers who fail a temperature screening exercise, although pre-departure testing will be retained for now. 

As a reminder, the Day 3 PCR test and minimum 3-night CHSE hotel booking requirement were previously scrapped as well, which means that pre-departure test aside, travel to Bali looks more and more similar to pre-pandemic days. 

Indonesia scraps on-arrival PCR tests

PCR testing on arrival at Bali Airport

International arrivals were previously required to take a PCR test on arrival in Indonesia, and isolate until a negative result was received.

In the grand scheme of things, the test wasn’t that expensive. The Indonesian government caps the price of a PCR test at IDR 275,000 (~S$26), which means it’s even cheaper than some antigen tests in Singapore!

The real issue was the isolation required after the test. To Indonesia’s credit, the wait times (at least in Bali) were very modest. I waited less than two hours for my on-arrival test result to come back, and from what I understand that’s the norm. 

In any case, the on-arrival PCR test has been scrapped from 6 April 2022 onwards. It means that visitors will have freedom of movement from the time they land, and can even catch immediate connections to elsewhere in Indonesia if they so wish. 

More importantly, it also helps deal with the niggling “what happens if I test positive on arrival?” question. Travellers whose on-arrival PCR test came back positive would be sent to designated isolation hotels, even if they could show proof of a past infection. This means that “shedders” were out of luck- a poorly-defined process that no doubt caused a lot of anxiety. 

Do note that travellers whose body temperature is detected as greater than 37.5°C on arrival will be required to take a PCR test, and isolate until a negative result is received. 

Pre-departure test still required

All travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure PCR test, which must be done within 48 hours prior to departure. For a list of the cheapest places in Singapore to do a pre-departure PCR test, refer to the article below. 

Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore

No more visa requirement for ASEAN nationals

Visa-on-arrival sign at Bali Airport

From 6 April 2022, Indonesia has scrapped the visa-on-arrival requirement for ASEAN nationals, namely:

  • Brunei
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

This will be valid for a 30 day stay in Indonesia, and cannot be extended. 

Nationals of the following countries will continue to require a visa-on-arrival, which will cost IDR 500,000. 

🇮🇩 Bali: Eligible Visa-on-Arrival Countries
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • UAE
  • UK
  • USA

The visa-on-arrival is valid for 30 days, and can be extended for a further 30 days upon application. 

All other travellers must obtain a B211A visa in advance of arrival in Indonesia. Any traveller carrying an APEC Business Travel Card with “IDN” on the back will be exempt from all visa requirements. 

Travel process to Bali

When the latest requirements come into effect, here’s what travellers to Bali will need to do.

✈️ Checklist for travel to Bali
  • Fully vaccinated with any approved vaccine (exemption for children aged under 18)
    • Booster not required
  • Setup PeduliLindungi app (Android | iOS), and verify vaccination status
  • Take PCR test 48h before flight (regardless of age)
  • Complete e-HAC in PeduliLindungi app within 24h before arrival
  • Purchase travel insurance with min. US$25K COVID-19 medical coverage
  • Complete e-CD form within 2 days before arrival
  • Book hotel for entire duration of trip
  • Arrange on-arrival transport (optional)
  • Pay for visa-on-arrival (or obtain B211A visit visa beforehand; not required for APEC cardholders or ASEAN nationals)

As mentioned, the cost savings won’t be significant, thanks to Indonesia’s regulated PCR test prices. However, the time savings could be substantial, with less time spent completing on-arrival formalities at the airport and waiting for on-arrival test results to come back. 

Conclusion

Indonesia has scrapped its on-arrival PCR test requirement, as well as the visa-on-arrival requirement for ASEAN travellers. Pre-departure test requirements remain for now, but it’s still a significant improvement from the status quo.

This saves Singaporean travellers S$76 per person (S$50 for the visa-on-arrival, S$26 for the PCR test), and with a simplified VTF process on return to Singapore, there’s never been a better time to consider returning to Bali.

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Matej

Hi! Any idea when more non-Asean countries will be added to the list of countries eligible to visa-on-arrival? E.g. some EU countries are still not on the list. Thanks!

Edm

Oh no I already prepaid for the on arrival tests…

Anton

You can purchase a Covid insurance that eligible In Indonesia at this link https://www.jagawisata.com/COVID19/

Sean

Oh yeah… I was just told to be prepared for a Indonesia business trip.

Bint

Does this apply to air travel only? What about sea travel to Bintan/Batam?

SKS

Is it really worth it to pay extra $100 to go Batam?

Last edited 1 year ago by SKS
Flyer

Anybody knows if a saliva PCR test is acceptable for travel to Indonesia?

Osman

Dose this open to all airport in Indonesia or only for Bali
How about jakarta airport

Prashanth

Yes any thing on travel to Jakarta? As far as I know only Bali bintan and Batam are approved port of entries was to be extended to Jakarta “shortly” since mid last month.

Polo

The suspense of “WHEN” is killing me

Jacob

Is there anything stopping tourists on this visa-on-arrival to board on a domestic flight from Bali to Jakarta?

Flame

Nope there’s nothing stopping

Flame

Thanks for all the info. So much clarity!! Just want to confirm it says take PCR test 48h before flight. If my flight is 10.20am on 4th May. I must take the pcr test by 10.20am on the 2nd? Or can I do the test 11am onwards on the 2nd? Been confusing

Dru

Can. Its within the 48 hours before flight. If more than 48h then cannot. Just make sure you have your test results before you fly.

Flame

Thank you!!

Eddie

Thanks Aaron for the informative article!

Please share your experience leaving Indonesia too.

My friend mentioned that we will need pre-departure PCR test from Indonesia back to Singapore, which I think is incorrect.

Henry

Interesting that Indonesia is not listed among the countries for Tele Art

Chris

Thanks so much Aaron! this is soooo much clearer that any Indonesian websites I could find…. It was a headache just trying to read/understand their websites!

Just wondering, for the eCD form link – do you happen to have the one for Jakarta airport as well? I can’t seem to find that when I googled. Really appreciate all this 🙂 Thanks again!

Chris

No worries Aaron.

Sheldon

I’ve been to Indonesia so many times so I just booked a flight ✈️ from the Caribbean only to be surprised when I tried getting on board the plane I was told there’s a new system Caribbean citizens have to get a Visa. I cannot believe it after I spend so much time and money I had to stay in Singapore, you could at least put us on the visa on arrival. People died by the thousands and we in Trinidad don’t even have 2000 dead but we are the ones who cannot come to Indonesia America Mexico Canada the… Read more »

Anton

You can purchase a Covid insurance that eligible In Indonesia at this link https://www.jagawisata.com/COVID19/

Kuhanesh

Thanks for this! Would you know if they’ve also scrapped the requirement to do an additional PCR for those staying over for more than 2 nights?

Vonsheikh

Hey but do we need to complete the E-HAC 2 days before the flight or can we do it much earlier?

Maddie

Recovered from covid (max 30days) do not need to take pre departure PCR BUT still must take the on arrival PRC accompanied with your safe to travel memo from the Dr. Of the result is positive you still must quarantine .

This is what the Bali tourism hotline told me.

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