Driving License For Foreigners In Indonesia

[Jan Dominquez]

Thereis a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

The threat from Islamist extremism remains high, though the Indonesian authorities continue to disrupt attack planning. Indonesian authorities report multiple arrests of alleged terrorists in the advanced stages of preparation.

Indonesian government and law enforcement interests and places of worship are regularly targeted by extremists. Western interests are also at risk. Small-scale attacks occur on a regular basis and further incidents are likely. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Potential targets include:

The political situation in Indonesia is stable. However, elections, presidential inaugurations and external developments, including in the Middle East, can trigger protests or unrest. Nationwide student protests took place in 2019 and 2020, and could recur at any time.

Be aware of the risk of street crime such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas. There are often reports of bag-snatching in Bali. Conceal your bag as much as possible to reduce the risk. Carry only essential items and take care of your passport and bank cards.

Credit card fraud is common. Do not lose sight of your card during transactions. Criminals sometimes place a fake telephone number on ATMs advising customers to report problems so they can fraudulently ask for card details.

Unlicensed money changers may short-change you. Only use licensed currency exchanges, identified by a Bank of Indonesia logo and a QR code. Open the code to check the name of the business and its operating licence.

Drinks served in bars can be stronger than those in the UK, usually because the measures of spirits are larger. In some cases, over-drinking and taking drugs has resulted in accidents, injuries, robbery, assaults and lost travel documents. Some British nationals have suffered psychiatric problems caused by alcohol, drugs and a lack of sleep. Drink responsibly and be aware of your limits.

Methanol poisoning cases have resulted from drinks purchased in bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas like Bali, Lombok, the Gili Islands and Sumatra. Criminal gangs make counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands and these could contain high amounts of methanol.

Methanol is tasteless and odourless. TravelHealthPro lists the symptoms of methanol poisoning. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show signs of methanol poisoning.

Do not get involved with illegal drugs. Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught face lengthy prison sentences or a death penalty, usually after a protracted and expensive legal process. British nationals have been caught and given prison sentences for drug offences in Indonesia.

Police often raid venues (particularly in Bali) known to be frequented by foreigners. You may have to take a urine or blood test if there is a reasonable suspicion that drugs have been used. Criminal gangs in the UK and elsewhere are known to coerce people into carrying drugs across borders. Do not allow yourself to be persuaded.

You cannot drive using your UK driving licence. You can drive using an international driving permit issued in Indonesia. International driving permits issued in the UK may need to be endorsed by the Indonesian licensing office in Jakarta.

Foreign nationals involved in even minor traffic violations or accidents may be vulnerable to extortion. Some multinational companies do not allow their expatriate staff to drive in Indonesia. Consider employing a private driver or hiring a car with a driver.

There are lots of active volcanoes in Indonesia. They can erupt without warning and eruptions have caused destruction and fatalities. The authorities usually evacuate villages within a 3km to 7km radius of the eruption.

If you have any pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, you might be at increased risk of triggering or worsening your symptoms. Make sure you travel with enough of your regular medicines.

Flash floods and widespread flooding can occur across Indonesia. Cities, especially Jakarta, can suffer severe localised flooding resulting in major traffic congestion and power outages. The main toll road to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and other major roads in Jakarta can be affected by flooding. There are landslides in mountainous and remote areas, but also in some urban areas.

Earthquakes happen regularly. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, follow the instructions of local authorities, bearing in mind that a tsunami could arrive within minutes. The Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning Centre issues warnings when a potential tsunami with significant impact is imminent or expected.

Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in Indonesia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets/shopping malls, and restaurants.

In Central Papua and Highland Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens. Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Armed separatists may kidnap foreign nationals.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Papua and Highland Papua as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas.

Entry Requirements: To enter Indonesia, your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival in Indonesia. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be denied entry into Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia will not admit travelers holding the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas.

Visa-on-Arrival: If you meet the requirements, you can apply for a visa on arrival at some international airports, seaports, or land crossings. To apply for the visa on arrival, you must have an ordinary (non-emergency) passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date you plan to enter and the date you plan to leave Indonesia and a return or onward flight booking to another country. There is a 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah fee (about $35). The visa on arrival is valid for up to 30 days. You may extend a Visa-on-Arrival once at the immigration office one week before it expires for an additional 30 days for a maximum of 30 additional days, for another 500,000 Rupiah.

Electronic Visa-On-Arrival: You may also apply for an electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) in advance if you are entering Indonesia at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta or Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Check the e-VOA requirements from Indonesian Immigration before applying. To apply for an e-VOA see

Visa: Travel for more than 30 days and travel for non-VOA purposes, including employment and journalism, requires that the appropriate visa be obtained from an Indonesian embassy or consulate before arrival. If you are traveling on an emergency passport, you must obtain a visa before arrival in Indonesia.

Dual-Nationality: Indonesia has laws that prohibit Indonesian citizens from holding additional nationalities. If you are an Indonesian with dual nationality, you could be compelled to renounce your Indonesian nationality through a formal act of renunciation. Please research Indonesian nationality laws and consult with a local attorney regarding any specific circumstance.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia screens incoming passengers in response to reported outbreaks of pandemic illnesses.

Extremists in Indonesia aspire to carry out violent attacks against Indonesian and foreign targets, and police have arrested more than 1,200 individuals on terrorism-related charges since 2018. Extremists may target both official and private establishments, including government offices, hotels, bars, nightclubs, shopping areas, restaurants, and places of worship. Be aware of your personal safety and security at all times.

Recent incidents of extremist violence include a December 2022 suicide bombing at a police station in Bandung, West Java that killed one police officer, a March 2021 bomb attack against a church in Makassar, South Sulawesi which injured 20 civilians, and May 2018 bomb attacks against three churches in Surabaya, East Java which killed 15 civilians and injured 50.

Demonstrations are very common in Jakarta, Surabaya, and other large cities, but less common in Bali. You should avoid demonstrations and other mass gatherings, since even those intended to be peaceful can become violent. U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests. Demonstrations may become more frequent ahead of the Indonesian general elections scheduled for February 2024.

Currently, travel by U.S. government personnel to the provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) is restricted to mission-essential travel that is approved in advance by the Embassy. Papuan separatists have kidnapped foreigners in the past and a New Zealand national was kidnapped by a separatist group in Nduga Regency in February 2023.

Crime: In the last year several American citizens were victims of violent and serious crimes in Indonesia, particularly in Bali. As with any major tourist destination, U.S. citizens traveling in Indonesia are especially encouraged to always remain vigilant of their surroundings and read the following advisories carefully. Take sensible measures to protect yourself and your belongings. Closely monitor bags and luggage and carry only essential items. Take particular care of your passport and bank cards and avoid traveling alone.

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