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INDONESIA
General
Information
Indonesia is an independent republic consisting of more than
17,500 islands spread over 3,400 miles along the Equator.
The main islands are Java, Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan
(Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), Papua, Halmahera, and Seram.
The capital city of Jakarta lies in the lowlands of West
Java, the most populated island. The country has
approximately 245,500,000 people and more than 300 ethnic
groups.
Indonesia’s geographic location and topography make the
country prone to natural disasters, especially seismic
upheaval due to its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc
of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Indonesia is a developing country with a growing economy and
some infrastructure shortcomings. However, it has many
tourist destinations associated with the country’s cultural
diversity and natural resources. Annually, approximately
150,000 U.S. tourists visit Indonesia.
The U.S. diplomatic mission in Indonesia consists of
approximately 220 American staff and 500 family members in
addition to an average of 150 temporary duty officials who
visit the Embassy each month.
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Entry / Exit Requirements
The Indonesian government requires a passport valid for at least six months from
the date of arrival in Indonesia to enter the country. Indonesian authorities
regularly deny entry to all foreign nationals who arrive with less than six
months validity on their passports. The U.S. Embassy cannot obtain entry
permission for Americans in this situation. Travelers will be required to depart
for Singapore or a nearby country to obtain a new U.S. passport.
American citizens are required to have a visa to enter Indonesia. U.S. citizens
may apply for a visa on arrival at the airports in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya,
Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Balikpapan, Pontianak, Kupang,
Batam, and South Sumatra. An onward/return ticket is required to apply for an
entry visa at these Indonesian ports of entry. Visas are not available at the
Banda Aceh airport. Visas on arrival are available at a limited number of
seaports, including the Batam and Bintan ferry terminals, but are not available
at any land border crossing. Travelers without a visa should check carefully
when planning travel between Indonesia and other countries in the region to be
sure their return to Indonesia is through a designated visa-on-arrival port or
airport. Travelers will not be allowed to enter or return to Indonesia at a port
of entry that does not have visa-on-arrival facilities.
Indonesian visas require an entire passport page. Travelers without a blank visa
page in their passport may be denied entry. Additional visa pages may be added
in the United States through a Passport Agency or at most U.S. embassies and
consulates. Visitors may be granted a 3-day visa on arrival for a fee of $10, or
a 30-day visa on arrival for a fee of $25. Recent experience has shown that some
visitors are granted a 7-day visa on arrival for $10. All visas on arrival are
non-extendable. Travelers must exit the country to be able to purchase another
visa on arrival. Travelers are strongly advised to purchase the 30-day visa on
arrival to avoid problems if travel plans change unexpectedly. As of March 2008,
travelers who overstay visas on arrival are subject to a fine of U.S. $20 per
day.
U.S. citizens may also apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington,
DC, or at an Indonesian Consulate in the U.S. In some cases, U.S. citizens may
also apply at Indonesian embassies and consulates in other countries. U.S.
citizens traveling overseas who wish to apply for an Indonesian visa should
inquire with the local embassy in the country where they are currently
traveling. A visitor's visa for business purposes and social/cultural stays of
longer duration require a letter of intent/sponsorship from the Indonesian
employer and/or sponsor. For up-to-date information, travelers may contact the
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036, phone: (202) 775-5200.
Indonesian Consulates are located in Los Angeles (213) 383-5126,
San Francisco (415) 474-9571,
Chicago (312) 920-1880,
New York (212) 879-0600,
and Houston (713) 785-1691.
Visit the Embassy of Indonesia web site at
http://www.embassyofindonesia.org for
the most current visa information.
Indonesia strictly enforces its immigration/visa requirements. Several
Westerners, including Americans, have been jailed for visa violations and/or
overstays. Violators may also be subject to substantial fines and/or deportation
from Indonesia for immigration and visa violations. Immigration officials have
also detained people for conducting business, academic, or other non-tourist
activities while on tourist visa status. Volunteer work with local or
international NGOs is not permitted on tourist visa status. Penalties for such
immigration/visa violations may include a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a
fine of Rupiah 25 million. Travelers are encouraged to contact an Indonesian
consular office to determine the appropriate visa category before traveling to
Indonesia. Please consult the Criminal Penalties section below for further
information.
All airline passengers, including children, are subject to a departure tax,
which must be paid in cash (Rupiah). The international departure tax as of
November 2008 is 100,000 Rupiah in Jakarta but may vary depending on what
international airport is being used; domestic departure tax in Jakarta is 30,000
Rupiah but this tax also varies by airport.
Safety And Security
Since 2005, the Indonesian police and security forces have disrupted a
number of terrorist cells and arrested approximately 400 suspects linked with Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a U.S. Department of State-designated terrorist
organization, including the three terrorists convicted of killing 202 people in
an October 2002 nightclub bombing in Bali. While Indonesia’s counterterrorism
efforts have had significant results, the threat remains. For example, in July
2008, Indonesian authorities arrested nine suspects in Sumatra who had been
building bombs reportedly in preparation for anti-Western attacks, and in
September 2008, a bomb was found in a shopping center in Palu before the start
of the Muslim fasting month.
In spite of the success of the Indonesian counter-terrorism units, JI networks
and cells may remain intact and have the capacity to go operational with little
or no warning.
Extremists may target both official and private interests. Examples of such
targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business
offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas,
and locales where Americans or foreigners gather in large numbers. The
Department of State urges Americans in Indonesia to avoid crowds, maintain a low
profile, and be vigilant about security at all times. Americans are advised to
monitor local news broadcasts, vary their routes and times in carrying out daily
activities, and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public
places in Indonesia. Americans vacationing in Indonesia are advised to consider
the level of preventive security when choosing hotels, restaurants, beaches,
entertainment venues, and recreation sites.
Americans should always use common sense when traveling in unfamiliar areas and
should be aware that local groups here as elsewhere may respond violently to
real and perceived offenses. For example, in June 2008, two Americans in western
Sumatra were beaten after the Americans reportedly accused a local man of theft.
In the same month, another American in Sumatra was threatened by members of a
local mosque when the American visited the mosque to complain about being
awakened from his sleep by the morning call to prayer.
Crime
Crime can be a problem in some major metropolitan areas in Indonesia.
Crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing and theft occur throughout the
country. Americans in Jakarta and Surabaya are advised to hire a taxi either
from a major hotel queue or by calling a reputable taxi company, such as Silver
Bird or Blue Bird, rather than hailing one on the street. Americans arriving at
Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta should only use Silver Bird or Blue Bird taxis
obtained at a designated taxi queue. Airport touts should not be used. Criminals
in Jakarta regularly rob customers in taxis painted to look like taxis from
reputable companies; booking taxis by telephone directly from the company is the
best way to avoid falling victim to this crime.
Claiming to act in the name of religious or moral standards, certain extremist
groups have, on occasion, attacked nightspots and places of entertainment. Most
of these attacks have sought to destroy property rather than to injure
individuals. International news events can sometimes trigger anti-American or
anti-Western demonstrations.
Credit card fraud and theft is a serious and growing problem in Indonesia,
particularly for Westerners. Travelers should minimize use of credit cards or
use cash. If used, credit card numbers should be closely safeguarded at all
times. There have been many reports of shop, restaurant, and hotel staff writing
down the credit card numbers of customers and then making purchases using the
credit card number after the card owner has departed the retail location.
Travelers should avoid using credit cards for online transactions at Internet
cafes and similar venues. Travelers who decide to use credit cards should
monitor their credit card activity carefully and immediately report any
unauthorized use to their financial institution.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them
at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and
proof of U.S. citizenship are readily available. When U.S. citizens are arrested
or detained, formal notification of the arrest is normally provided to the U.S.
Embassy in Jakarta in writing, a process that can take several weeks. If
detained, U.S. citizens should telephone the Embassy Jakarta, or the nearest
U.S. consular office immediately.
"Drink-spiking" incidents have been of increasing concern as there have been
many reports of males being targeted for this ruse in clubs and nightspots. The
effects of this drug, believed to be an animal tranquilizer, are extremely
powerful. Besides putting the victim in an unconscious state for a long period
of time, the side effects include memory loss, nausea, headaches and vomiting.
Although most of these incidents involve male victims it is important to
remember that females have been victimized in the past with "Date-Rape" drugs.
Maritime piracy in Indonesian waters continues, but incident reports have
decreased steadily in past years. Most recent reports are of thefts of valuables
or cargo from boats that are in a port and not at sea. Regardless, before
traveling by sea, especially in the Straits of Malacca between the Riau Province
and Singapore and in the waters north of Sulawesi and Kalimantan, passengers are
advised to review the current security situation with a local port agent.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely
available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.
In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures
and/or fines.Special Circumstances
Natural Disasters:
Many areas of Indonesia are at high risk for natural
disasters due to its geographic location and topography. The
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004
killed more than 130,000 people and left over 37,000 missing
in Aceh and North Sumatra. On September 12, 2007 a
8.4-magnitude quake off shore of Sumatra along the edge of
the Menawai island patch damaged hundreds of homes and
killed at least 13 people. Dozens of strong aftershocks were
felt and magnitude 7.8 and 7.1 tremors were recorded during
the following two days. Major earthquakes on Nias Island off
Sumatra in March 2005 and in Yogyakarta in May 2006 killed
thousands of people. An earthquake and tsunami on the
southern Java coast in July 2006 killed more than 600 people
and left thousands homeless. Mt. Merapi Volcano near
Yogyakarta experienced significant pyroclastic flows from
April to early July 2006, and authorities evacuated
residents within a 15-mile radius. Americans planning hiking
or other outdoor activities in Indonesia are encouraged to
obtain up-to-date information on local conditions, to travel
with a local guide, and to carry a local mobile phone.
Travelers should obey instructions from civil defense and
emergency personnel and should not enter restricted areas.
Air Quality:
Air quality in Indonesia is acceptable most of the time. However, within
Indonesia’s major cities, air quality can range from “unhealthy for sensitive
groups” to “unhealthy”. The air quality in Jakarta is particularly polluted.
Individuals susceptible to chronic respiratory illnesses should consult with
their doctor before spending significant amounts of time in Jakarta.
Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Surfing:
U.S. citizens should exercise prudence when scuba diving, snorkeling and
surfing, and when visiting remote tourist locations. Strong seasonal
undercurrents in coastal waters pose a sometimes-fatal threat to surfers and
swimmers, and every year several Americans drown in unstable water. Surfers and
divers should also be aware that local fishermen in coastal waters may use
explosives to catch fish although this practice is illegal in Indonesia.
Hiking:
U.S. citizens interested in hiking on Puncak Jaya or other mountains in Papua
should ensure that they organize their trip through a reputable tour operator
and ensure they have firm, realistic plans and backup plans for climbing down
the mountain. In the past, some local tour operators have abandoned climbers
after they reached the summit. Climbers should be aware that transiting via
private properties on the way down the mountain is considered trespassing and
not a safe or legal alternative.Teaching English in Indonesia:
U.S. citizens who would like to teach English in Indonesia are urged to
carefully review employment contracts before they travel to Indonesia. Most
contracts include a monetary penalty for early termination. Individuals should
be aware that English schools may require holding passports to insure that the
employee complies with the terms of the contract or pays the appropriate
penalty. In the past several months, there has been an increase in the number of
Americans who terminated their employment contracts early, and could not depart
Indonesia because their employer would not release their passports.
Commercial Disputes:
U.S. citizens involved in commercial or property matters should be aware that
the business environment is complex and dispute settlement mechanisms are not
highly developed. Local and foreign businesses often cite corruption and
ineffective courts as serious problems. Business and regulatory disputes, which
would be generally considered administrative or civil matters in the U.S., may
in some cases be treated as criminal cases in Indonesia. It can be challenging
to resolve trade disputes. For more information, please refer to the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s Country Commercial Guide for Indonesia.
Internet Purchases:
U.S. citizens frequently experience difficulties when purchasing goods by
Internet from Indonesian suppliers with whom the buyer has not met personally.
An increase in fraud has been noted with American citizens attempting to
purchase goods via the internet from Indonesian stores and suppliers.
Currency:
Counterfeit currency is a problem in Indonesia. Banks, exchange facilities and
most commercial establishments do not accept U.S. currency that is worn,
defaced, torn, or issued before 1996.
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