If you’re planning to stay in Indonesia for more than 30 days, there’s a visa option many travelers still overlook: the C1 Tourist Visa (officially classified as a B211A visa). Unlike the standard 30-day Visa on Arrival (VoA), the C1 lets you start with 60 days, and you can extend it twice, giving you a total of up to 180 days in Indonesia—without having to leave the country.
Why the C1 Visa is Even More Valuable Now
Since June 1, 2025, there’s been an important update: both the eVOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival) and the VoA (Visa on Arrival obtained at the airport) can no longer be extended fully online. While the extension process starts online, the second step now requires an in-person visit to an immigration office. This means extra planning and possible disruption to your travel plans—especially if you’re far from major cities or busy exploring more remote islands.
Want to learn more about this change? Read Indonesia Ends Online Visa Extensions from June 2025.
In contrast, the C1 visa offers more convenience. You begin with a 60-day stay, and if you decide not to extend, no visit to an immigration office is required at all. This means you’re free to travel across Indonesia without having to base your plans around the nearest immigration office—a big advantage for those exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.
What You Need to Know About Applying
No Need for Sponsor (Initially)
If you’ve checked the official immigration website, you might have noticed it’s a bit confusing—the wording makes it seem like a local sponsor is required for the C1 visa. But rest assured, no sponsor is needed for the initial 60-day application.
To get started, go to evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Choose your nationality and purpose of stay, then select the C1 visa. A misleading pop-up window may appear suggesting sponsor requirements—just click “Ya” to continue and create your profile.
For the application, you’ll need:
- A valid passport (at least 6 months before expiry)
- A passport photo
- Proof of funds (around $2,000; PDF statements from Revolut, Wise, or traditional banks are all accepted)
- A return or onward flight ticket
The funds do not need to be in US dollars—local currency accounts are also accepted, and the system will automatically calculate the exchange rate.
Visa Fee
The cost for the initial 60-day C1 visa is 1,000,000 IDR (approximately $65 USD, depending on the exchange rate). This fee is paid during the online application process through the official immigration portal.
Processing time
Unlike the 30‑day eVOA—which can be applied for anytime (days, nights, holidays)—the C1 application takes about 7–10 business days meaning it doesn’t progress during Indonesian public holidays. In fact, you won’t even be able to choose this visa from the visa list on the web to be applied for during holidays.
Many travelers don’t realize this and apply too late. If you don’t receive the visa before departure, you’ll have to enter Indonesia on a Visa on Arrival, which cannot be converted to a C1 visa later. You would have to leave the country and re-enter, which adds time and cost.
To avoid this, apply at least two weeks before your flight.
Extending the C1 Visa
After your initial 60-day stay, you can extend the C1 visa twice, each time for another 60 days. However, these extensions require a local sponsor or visa agent.
The process involves preparing paperwork and, usually, a visit to the immigration office. Most travelers choose to hire a visa agent to simplify this step. It’s best to start arranging the extension by day 50, to avoid running into issues with timing.
Summary: Is the C1 Visa Right for You?
If you’re planning to stay in Indonesia longer than a month and want to avoid multiple immigration visits or expensive visa runs, the C1 Visa is one of the best options available. It’s especially useful in light of the new eVOA changes as of June 2025.
Traveling off the beaten path? Check out our favorite hidden gems across Indonesia: