Indonesia

Singaporeans travelling on their ordinary Singapore Passport can visit Indonesia for up to 30 days without a visa. Please visit the website of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration for details of the types of visit that fall under this category. Visa-free visits cannot be extended beyond the 30 days allotted. If you intend to travel to Indonesia for more than 30 days, you should apply for the appropriate visa before your travel. As visa requirements often change at short notice, we advise you to contact your travel agency, or the Embassy of Indonesia in Singapore for up-to-date information.

If you are visiting Indonesia for business purposes, you should apply for a business visa.

Holders of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) are exempted from Indonesia’s Visit Visa requirements so long as they are not engaged in employment in Indonesia. They can remain in Indonesia for up to 60 days (which cannot be extended). Currently, there are 17 airports (4 with dedicated ABTC Gates and the other 13 without) as well as seaports, including Batam, in Indonesia, which holders of the ABTC who are travelling to Indonesia for business purposes can use.

If you are unsure of the type of visa you will need in Indonesia, please check the website of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, with your local partner or representative in Indonesia, or the nearest Indonesian Embassy.

Overstaying is a serious offence in Indonesia. Overstayers must report to the local immigration authorities promptly. The penalties for overstaying can include, but are not limited to, a fine of up to IDR 1 million per day, detention and/or an entry ban. If you have overstayed, you may contact the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta or the Singapore Consulates-General in Batam or Medan for further assistance after you have reported to the local immigration authorities.

You are advised to remain vigilant against possible crime and security threats while travelling. You should keep abreast of local developments and take the necessary precautions for your personal safety. You should avoid protest and demonstration sites. If you are planning to participate in potentially hazardous sports, you are advised to purchase comprehensive insurance.

All travellers are required to abide by Indonesia’s laws and regulations. The Singapore Government is unable to intervene in the enforcement of local laws and regulations by the host government.

Under Indonesian law, all residents and visitors are required to carry official documents of identification, including those issued by the Indonesian government, with them at all times.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty.

Indonesia is a large and diverse archipelagic country that lies in a seismically active region and has around 130 active volcanoes. Indonesia experiences various forms of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, flash floods, and landslides.

You are advised to visit the following Indonesian official websites for information on weather, climate, air quality, and natural disasters:

Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG): www.bmkg.go.id

Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG): https://vsi.esdm.go.id

You should also monitor local developments closely, abide by the advice from local authorities, and take the necessary precautions for your personal safety.

Overseas Travel – Be Informed & Be Safe [Updated on 5 February 2024]

Singaporeans planning overseas travel are reminded to take the necessary precautions, including being prepared to deal with accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Singaporeans are also reminded to be familiar with your destination’s local laws, customs, and COVID-19 regulations.

Demonstrations do occur in major cities across the world. Such demonstrations can sometimes escalate into violence. It is important for Singaporeans to keep abreast of local news, avoid any protests or demonstrations and heed the advice of the local authorities.

When participating in outdoor leisure activities overseas, Singaporeans should be mindful that certain sporting activities, especially in open seas, may carry risks. Besides ensuring that one has the physical competencies and appropriate condition to undertake the activity, every effort should be made to ascertain if the trip organiser or guide is reliable and competent, and that appropriate safety and contingency plans are in place. When in doubt, Singaporeans should consult the relevant professional bodies or sporting associations for specific advice.

For those planning to travel, here are some tips:

Before travelling

• Familiarise yourself with our network of overseas missions.
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance and be familiar with the terms and coverage.
• Equip yourself with research about your destination’s entry requirements, current situation, local laws and customs.
• eRegister with us on our website (www.mfa.gov.sg) so that we may reach out to you during an emergency.

While travelling

• Always take care of your personal safety, remain vigilant and monitor local weather news, advisories, and security developments.
• Exercise caution around large gatherings and avoid locations known for demonstrations or disturbances.
• Be prepared for possible delays and last-minute changes in travel plans especially during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, social unrest or terror attacks.
• Stay connected with your friends and family. Inform them of your whereabouts and provide them with your overseas contact details.
• In the event that you require consular assistance, please contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

Advisory: Email Scams

There have been reports of individuals receiving scam emails/messages purportedly sent from friends in distress overseas. These emails/messages typically originate from an email address/social media known to the receiver bearing claims of the sender getting into trouble overseas and urgently requesting financial assistance. The sender would also claim to have approached a Singapore Embassy/Consulate and the local Police for help to no avail.

MFA takes the safety of all Singaporeans very seriously.  Singaporeans in distress approaching our Overseas Missions for assistance will be rendered with all necessary consular assistance.  If you receive such emails/messages from purported friends seeking funds transfers, we strongly advise you to call them first to verify the authenticity of the emails/messages before responding to their request.  It is also not advisable to give out any personal information such as NRIC/passport numbers, address, telephone number, etc.  Any form of reply, even one of non-interest, could result in more unsolicited emails.  Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen prey to such scams should report the matter to the Police immediately.  Should Singaporeans abroad require consular assistance, they can contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hr Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.