Hi,

I'm going to Jakarta next week on business and I wonder whether anyone else has experiences to share? I know you can get the visa or arrival, but I also understand you can get one from the Indonesian Embassy here in Bangkok before you go. Is that correct? I'm only going to be there for 24-hours so I want to spend as little time as possible dealing with customs, etc.

Any help/advice/suggestions is much appreciated.

Andy.

I do it regularly.

It's probably less hassle to just get it when you arrive.

Halfway to the immigration desks there are two booths (one each side of the hallway) for Brits, Aussies, Kiwis etc to get this visa. You just need your passport and US$10. It takes a few minutes, but get off the plane quickly and make sure you are at the front of the queue. I'd also make sure i had the cash in US currency. They take other currency, but it's just one less hassle to have it in US dollars or Rupiah. Up to you.

Once you've got that, you still need to go through immigration.

Trips longer than, I think, seven days require $25 fee.

I do it regularly.

It's probably less hassle to just get it when you arrive.

Halfway to the immigration desks there are two booths (one each side of the hallway) for Brits, Aussies, Kiwis etc to get this visa. You just need your passport and US$10. It takes a few minutes, but get off the plane quickly and make sure you are at the front of the queue. I'd also make sure i had the cash in US currency. They take other currency, but it's just one less hassle to have it in US dollars or Rupiah. Up to you.

Once you've got that, you still need to go through immigration.

Trips longer than, I think, seven days require $25 fee.

Yup Bendix is spot on and just remember it takes a whole page from your passport as well!. Also don't forget your wellington boots if you are planning a trip into central Jakarta

Thanks for the swift and detailed reply - it's much appreciated. The people I am meeting have said the floods have largely disappeared now, although some areas are still pretty bad.

Anyway, thanks again.

Andy.

Downtown areas (eg CBD) are ok now. A few of the poorer suburbs are still 'damp'. Nothing to worry about, if you stick to the main areas.

Not sure if you've got a hotel sorted out but the new Ritz Carlton is, without doubt, the best business hotel I've ever stayed in, bar none.

As the others have said, visa on arrival is the way to go.

Get of the plane as quick as possible.

Once you are in the terminal walking towards immigration you will see the visa on arrival booths.

There are 2 booths one on each side of the corridor so the one nearest to you might not be the one with the shortest queues.

Have US$ ready as it will be the quickest way to get by.

You still after that have to queue at immigration before customs and exit.

If you make several trips a year, it might be good to consider a multi entry business visa which gives you each entry 90 days stay and no need to buy visa on arrival which saves time when you can be in front of immigration queues.

Enjoy Jakarta, people are real friendly, food is great. Much poorer than Thailand though and much much cheaper.

spot on info

shame you re only stayin 24 hours, jakarta is possibly the most under rated city in sea, great nite life and restaurants...