Visas & Entry Requirements for Flores, Indonesia
Indonesia does not issue destination-specific visas. Your entry to Flores, Komodo National Park, or anywhere else in Indonesia falls under the same national visa framework.
What Are the Three Entry Options?
1. Visa on Arrival (VOA), most common
Available to most nationalities at designated ports of entry including Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | IDR 500,000 (~USD 30) |
| Duration | 30 days |
| Extendable | Yes, once, for 30 more days (IDR 500,000) |
| Where paid | Immigration desk on arrival, cash or card |
| Ports of entry | LBJ (Labuan Bajo), Bali (DPS), Jakarta, and 10+ others |
Eligible nationalities include UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU countries, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Russia, and most of the rest of the world. Indonesia has expanded VOA eligibility significantly since 2023.
2. e-VOA (online before travel), recommended
Same as Visa on Arrival in terms of cost and duration, but applied for online at evoa.imigrasi.go.id 3–30 days before arrival.
Why bother? Two reasons: (1) skip the on-arrival queue, which can be 30–60 minutes when a Bali transit flight offloads 150 people at once; (2) you have the approval document ready in case of any airline gate check.
Pay online by card. You get a QR code. Show it at immigration on arrival.
3. Visa-Free Entry, select nationalities
Around 11 nationalities enter fee-free for 30 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Ecuador.
No extension is available on visa-free entry. If you want to stay beyond 30 days, you must exit Indonesia and re-enter (visa run), or apply for a longer-stay visa type before travel.
Should You Enter via Labuan Bajo or Bali?
Most international travelers arrive at Bali (Ngurah Rai, DPS) and connect to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) on a domestic flight.
- If you have a VOA: Your 30-day clock starts the moment you clear immigration at your first Indonesian port of entry, typically Bali. Days spent in Bali count toward your Flores/Komodo time.
- If you’re tight on time: Apply for a 60-day e-VOA extension before running out of days, not after.
- Direct international entry to LBJ: Occasionally possible via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur on charter routes. Check with AirAsia and Scoot for seasonal direct services. LBJ is a full port of entry with immigration and a VOA desk.
Can You Extend Your Visa in Labuan Bajo?
The Labuan Bajo immigration office handles extensions for travelers in western Flores.
Location: Jl. Soekarno, Labuan Bajo town, near the harbour, walkable from most guesthouses.
Process:
- Go to the office at least 7 days before your visa expires
- Bring your passport, 1 recent photo (4×6 cm), and a copy of your entry stamp page
- Pay IDR 500,000 extension fee
- Return in 1–3 working days to collect
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:00 (closed Indonesian public holidays).
If you’re in central or east Flores when your visa nears expiry, the nearest offices are Ende and Maumere.
What Are the Passport Requirements?
- Validity: Minimum 6 months beyond your intended departure date. Airlines will refuse boarding if your passport expires within 6 months.
- Blank pages: At least 2 blank pages for stamps.
- Condition: Immigration can reject passports with significant water damage or torn pages, not common, but it happens.
Visa Types for Longer Stays
| Type | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| VOA / e-VOA | 30 days + 30 extension | Most tourists |
| Social Visit Visa B211A | 60 days + 4 extensions (up to 180 days) | Long-stay travelers, digital nomads |
| Business Visa | 60 days + extensions | Remote workers with local sponsor |
| Retirement KITAS | 1 year, renewable | Retirees 55+ |
The B211A requires a sponsor letter (an Indonesian individual or business). Visa agents in Labuan Bajo and Bali offer this service for USD 50–200 depending on the agent and your visa history.
What to Know Before You Land
- Keep your arrival card (the paper form on the plane). Immigration occasionally asks for it, though Indonesia has largely gone paperless.
- Show an onward ticket if asked, immigration may request proof you’re leaving. A flight booking printout suffices; you don’t need a confirmed/paid ticket.
- No agricultural items, Indonesia enforces restrictions on fruit, seeds, soil, and some animal products. Nothing unusual for Flores travelers, but don’t carry undeclared fresh produce.
- Declare cash over USD 10,000, standard for any country. No limit on bringing foreign currency in for spending purposes.
For how to get to Flores once your visa is sorted, see How to Get to Flores →.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Flores and Komodo?
Most Western travelers (UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) qualify for Visa on Arrival (VOA) or e-VOA at IDR 500,000 (approximately USD 30) for a 30-day stay, extendable once for another 30 days. A smaller number of nationalities, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and select others, get 30 days visa-free with no fee. Visas are Indonesia-wide; there is no separate Flores visa.
Can I get a visa at Labuan Bajo airport?
Yes, Komodo Airport (LBJ) is an official Visa on Arrival (VOA) port of entry. You can pay on arrival at the immigration desk. However, applying for the e-VOA online before travel is strongly recommended to avoid queues, especially when Bali transit flights are delayed and everyone arrives simultaneously. Pay online at evoa.imigrasi.go.id.
How long can I stay in Indonesia on a tourist visa?
The standard Visa on Arrival gives 30 days. You can extend it once at an immigration office for another 30 days, giving 60 days total. There is no third extension, you must exit and re-enter. For longer stays (nomads, overwintering), a Social Visit Visa (B211A, 60 days + 4 extensions = up to 180 days) is available via an Indonesian sponsor or visa agent.
How do I extend my visa in Labuan Bajo?
Labuan Bajo has an immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi Labuan Bajo) near the town centre. Extension costs approximately IDR 500,000 and takes 1–3 working days. Apply at least 7 days before your visa expires. Bring your passport, a photo, the extension fee, and a return flight printout. The office is open Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00.
Which nationalities get free visa for Indonesia?
Approximately 11 nationalities get visa-free entry including Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Ecuador (as of 2026). All others must apply for VOA or e-VOA. Check the latest list at imigrasi.go.id as the list changes.
What happens if I overstay my Indonesia visa?
Overstay fines are IDR 1,000,000 per day (approximately USD 60/day). You pay at the airport immigration on departure. There is no grace period. Overstays of more than 60 days can result in deportation and a 6-month ban from re-entering Indonesia. Set a calendar reminder, do not let it slip.