JAKARTA – Foreigners who are going on vacation or family visits often have difficulty choosing between a Visa on Arrival (VoA) and a Tourist Visit Visa (VKW). Referring to the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number M.HH-02.GR.01.04 of 2023 concerning Visa Classification, VoA and VKW are both intended for tourism activities, family visits or transit. It's just that there are a number of things that differentiate the two types of visas.
"VoA and VKW are similar at first glance in terms of their intended activities. The rest is completely different," explained the Director of Immigration Traffic, Felucia Sengky.
Sengky further explained that there are seven fundamental differences between VoA and VKW.
The following are among them:
1. Visa Index
Visa on Arrival uses the B1 index while the Tourist Visit Visa uses the C1 index.
2. Designation of countries
Not all countries can apply for a visa on arrival. Only 97 countries can obtain VKSK while VKW can be applied for by any country.
3. Length of Stay
For the first grant, VoA holders are allowed to stay for 30 days in Indonesia, while VKW holders can stay up to 60 days.
4. Cost
If VoA can be obtained at a cost of IDR 500,000, foreigners who will apply for VKW must pay three times the cost or IDR 1,500,000, with a stay that is twice as long as foreigners holding VoA.
5. Submission
VoA can be obtained directly at the Immigration Checkpoint at the Airport or Port upon arrival, or submitted online in advance via evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Meanwhile, foreigners who will apply for VKW online must first have an account at evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
6. Approval
If VoA can be directly given to foreigners who apply either directly or online without having an account or guarantor, this is not the case for VKW.
Foreigners must have an account and/or guarantor first, and wait for a maximum of five working days for the visa verification process. If approved, an electronic visa will be sent to the email of the guarantor or the foreigner who has been registered.
7. Extension
VoA can only be extended once for the next 30 days. Extensions can also be done online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. (specifically for e-voa) or come directly to any immigration office throughout Indonesia.
Unlike VoA, VKW can be extended for a total stay of 180 days. Extensions can also be done online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id or come directly to any immigration office throughout Indonesia.
"Please choose which visa is most appropriate. If you are still confused about other immigration information, the public can use the Directorate General of Immigration's live chat at www.imigrasi.go.id on Monday-Friday from 09.00 to 15.00 WIB," concluded Sengky.