Indonesia Visa RequirementsFor Canada passport holders

Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest archipelago, with over 17,000 islands stretching more than 5,000 kilometres from Sabang in the northwest to Merauke in the east. Canadian passport holders can enter on a Visa on Arrival, available at major international airports including Bali (Ngurah Rai), Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta), Surabaya, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Manado, and several others, as well as at designated seaports. The VoA grants 30 days of stay and can be extended once at a local immigration office for an additional 30 days, giving Canadians up to 60 days in the country.

Indonesia rewards travelers who look beyond Bali. The island is deservedly famous for its temples, rice terraces, surf breaks, and nightlife, but the archipelago also holds Raja Ampat's world-class diving, the ancient Buddhist stupa of Borobudur near Yogyakarta, the volcanic highlands of Flores and East Java, and Komodo National Park, where Komodo dragons roam freely. Sulawesi's Toraja highlands and Sumatra's Lake Toba offer entirely different cultural landscapes for those with more time.

An e-VoA option lets Canadians pay the arrival fee and complete the immigration form online before departure at the official Indonesian immigration portal, bypassing the VoA counter queue on arrival. Both the traditional VoA and e-VoA grant identical rights and duration.

• e-VoA (recommended upgrade): Purchase your Visa on Arrival online before departure at https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The cost and rights are identical to the airport VoA, but you skip the cash queue on arrival and have your documentation confirmed in advance.
• B211A Social/Cultural Visa: If you need more than 60 days (the maximum with one VoA extension), apply for a B211A visa at the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in Canada before travel. It can be issued for up to 180 days with multiple 30-day extensions, and is commonly used by digital nomads and long-stay visitors.
• Working Holiday Visa (WHV): Canada and Indonesia have a bilateral working holiday arrangement. Canadians aged 18-30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa through the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa. Quotas are limited; applications typically open early in the calendar year.
• KITAS/KITAP (Long-term residence): For stays exceeding 6 months or for those working in Indonesia, a sponsored stay permit (KITAS) is required. These are employer-sponsored and processed through Indonesian immigration authorities.

• The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Exchange rates against USD typically sit around IDR 15,000-16,000 per USD 1, though this fluctuates.
• ATMs are widely available in Bali, Jakarta, and major tourist centres. BCA, BNI, Mandiri, and HSBC ATMs generally accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. BCA ATMs are particularly reliable for international cards.
• Withdraw larger amounts to reduce per-transaction ATM fees charged by both your bank and the Indonesian bank. Typical single-transaction limits are IDR 1,500,000-3,000,000.
• Cash is essential in smaller towns, local markets, and rural areas. Card payment has expanded significantly in Bali's tourist strip but remains limited outside major centres.
• Currency exchange booths in Bali (particularly along Jl. Legian in Kuta) offer competitive rates. Confirm the posted rate before handing over cash, and count your notes before leaving the counter. Avoid unlicensed changers near airports.
• The VoA fee of IDR 500,000 can be paid in USD, EUR, or other major currencies if you arrive without rupiah, though the conversion rate at the counter may not be favourable.

• Book accommodation for at least your first night before arrival. Immigration officers may ask for a hotel address on your arrival card.
• Dengue fever is present throughout Indonesia; use DEET-based insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country.
• Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for rural Papua and the eastern islands. Bali, Java, and Lombok are generally considered low risk.
• Major volcanic treks (Rinjani on Lombok, Bromo in East Java, Agung in Bali) require licensed guides and early morning starts; book in advance.
• Dress modestly when visiting temples. A sarong and sash are required at Bali's major temples and are usually available to borrow at the entrance.
• Download the Grab or Gojek apps for reliable, metered ride-hailing. In Jakarta and Bali, Blue Bird metered taxis are also trustworthy.
• If you plan to extend your VoA, visit an immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) well before your 30-day stamp expires. Allow a full day for the process.