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Surabaya Entry Requirements

Surabaya Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-09-26
Before you travel: official formalities

  • All Indonesia arrival card

    Who
    Passengers arriving in Indonesia, completed once per arrival
    When
    Up to three days before arrival, or on arrival

    One digital form covers immigration, customs, health and quarantine. The app is published by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration.

    Official site Official app (Google Play)
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26

  • Bali tourist levy (Love Bali)

    Who
    Foreign tourists visiting Bali
    When
    Before arriving in Bali, through the official Love Bali website or app
    Cost
    IDR 150,000, paid once per visit

    The Bali provincial government charges the levy once per trip to Bali.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Surabaya entry is straightforward with advance preparation. As Indonesia's second-largest city and East Java's capital, Surabaya receives international visitors through Juanda International Airport. Immigration, customs, and health screening run in a single arrivals flow. Most travelers need a visa or pre-approved electronic travel authorization based on nationality. Sort this out before departure. All passengers must complete the All Indonesia arrival card. This single digital form covers immigration, customs, health, and quarantine declarations. Submit it up to three days before arrival through the official All Indonesia portal or mobile app, published by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration. You can also complete it on arrival. Advance submission speeds things up at Surabaya's immigration counter. Requirements shift. What works today may not apply in six months. Verify your specific entry requirements through the official Indonesian immigration website and your home country's travel advisory service before booking. Surabaya follows national Indonesian policy. Changes at the national level apply here directly.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Surabaya follows Indonesia's national visa regulations. Your required authorization depends on nationality and visit purpose. Travelers fall into three groups: those eligible for visa-free entry, those who can obtain electronic travel authorization or e-visa before departure, and those needing traditional visa applications through Indonesian embassies or consulates. Eligibility, permitted length of stay, and costs vary by nationality. Check the official Indonesian immigration website for your specific passport first.

Visa-Free Entry
Varies by nationality. Check the official Indonesian immigration website for current permitted stay applicable to your passport.

Some nationalities enter Indonesia without advance visas. Permitted length of stay and conditions depend on bilateral agreements between Indonesia and the traveler's home country.

Visa-free entry typically cannot be extended. Plan longer visits? Apply for an appropriate visa before departure. Overstaying carries penalties under Indonesian immigration law.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Depends on visa type granted and traveler nationality. The official Indonesian immigration website lists current options and permitted stays.

Indonesia offers electronic visa options for eligible travelers to apply and receive authorization before departure. The All Indonesia digital platform, operated by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration, handles pre-arrival formalities. It may also process electronic visa applications depending on your nationality.

How to Apply: Eligible travelers apply through official Indonesian immigration channels. Processing times vary. Apply well before your travel date. The All Indonesia arrival card, completable up to three days before arrival through the official portal or mobile app published by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration, is mandatory and separate from visa requirements. It covers immigration, customs, health, and quarantine declarations.
Cost: Fees depend on visa type and nationality. Check the official Indonesian immigration website for current rates applicable to your passport.

The All Indonesia arrival card is not a visa. It does not replace one. All arriving passengers must complete this mandatory digital form regardless of visa status. Do not confuse arrival card completion with visa or electronic travel authorization acquisition.

Visa Required
Varies by visa type. The embassy or consulate handling your application will confirm permitted stay.

Travelers whose nationalities do not qualify for visa-free entry or electronic travel authorization must apply for visas through Indonesian embassies or consulates before departure.

How to Apply: Contact your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate for application procedures, required documents, and processing times. Applications typically require valid passport, completed forms, photographs, and supporting documentation including proof of accommodation and onward travel.

Start applications early. Processing times vary significantly by location and season. Some visa types may be extendable through Surabaya's local immigration office. Others are not. The official Indonesian immigration website outlines current visa types and their conditions.

Arrival Process

At Surabaya's Juanda International Airport, you pass through immigration, collect baggage, and clear customs in a single linear flow. Have documents ready. Complete your All Indonesia arrival card beforehand. This makes the process noticeably smoother.

1
Complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card
Every Surabaya passenger must complete the All Indonesia digital arrival card before or upon arrival. This single form covers immigration, customs, health, and quarantine declarations. Submit it up to three days before arrival through the official All Indonesia portal or official mobile app, published by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration. Advance completion is strongly recommended. It reduces time at the immigration counter. You can complete it on arrival. Expect longer queues if you do.
2
Immigration Control
Present your passport, completed arrival card confirmation, and visa or entry authorization to the immigration officer. They may ask about the purpose and duration of your visit, your accommodation arrangements, and your onward travel plans. Your passport should typically be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, which is a standard Indonesian requirement.
3
Baggage Claim
After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your checked luggage. Juanda International Airport's baggage area is relatively compact compared to larger Indonesian airports, so waits are usually manageable.
4
Customs Screening
Your customs declaration is covered by the All Indonesia arrival card you completed earlier. If you have goods to declare, follow the red channel. Most travelers with nothing beyond personal effects proceed through the green channel. Officers may conduct spot checks regardless of which channel you use.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid Passport
Must typically be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Indonesia, with blank pages available for entry stamps. Check the official immigration website to confirm current validity requirements for your nationality.
All Indonesia Arrival Card
Mandatory for all arriving passengers. This single digital form, published by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration, covers immigration, customs, health, and quarantine. It can be completed up to three days before arrival through the official All Indonesia portal or mobile app, or on arrival.
Visa or Entry Authorization
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa, electronic travel authorization, or may qualify for visa-free entry. Confirm which applies to your passport through the official Indonesian immigration website before departure.
Proof of Onward or Return Travel
Immigration officers may ask to see evidence that you intend to leave Indonesia, such as a return flight booking or an onward ticket to another country.
Proof of Accommodation
Having a hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your host can be helpful if questioned at immigration, though it is not always requested.
Bali Tourist Levy (if continuing to Bali)
Foreign tourists visiting Bali are required to pay a per-visit tourist levy through the official Love Bali website or app before arriving in Bali. This is a Bali provincial government requirement and does not apply to Surabaya or other parts of Indonesia. Travelers connecting onward to Bali from Surabaya should complete payment before their Bali arrival. The levy is charged once per visit to Bali.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete the All Indonesia arrival card before your flight rather than on arrival. The process takes only a few minutes online, and having the confirmation ready can significantly shorten your time at immigration in Surabaya.
Keep a printed or easily accessible digital copy of your accommodation booking, return ticket, and visa approval. Juanda airport's immigration officers do not always ask for these. But having them ready avoids delays when they do.
If you plan to visit Bali at any point during your trip, pay the Bali tourist levy through the official Love Bali website or app before you arrive in Bali. This is separate from any Indonesian visa or the All Indonesia arrival card and applies only to the Bali provincial area.
Surabaya's Juanda International Airport is generally less congested than airports in Jakarta or Bali, so immigration queues tend to move reasonably quickly, outside peak holiday periods.
Requirements change. Before every trip, verify your visa eligibility, entry requirements, and any new formalities through the official Indonesian immigration website and your home country's travel advisory.

Customs & Duty-Free

Indonesian customs regulations apply uniformly at all ports of entry, including Surabaya's Juanda International Airport. Your customs declaration is handled as part of the All Indonesia arrival card, so there is no separate customs form to complete. Indonesia takes the import of prohibited items seriously, and penalties for violations can be severe.

Alcohol
A limited quantity of alcoholic beverages per adult traveler, as set by Indonesian customs regulations.
Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, and while alcohol is legal in tourist areas and licensed venues in Surabaya, import allowances are modest. Exceeding the limit may result in confiscation or duties. Check the official Indonesian customs website for current allowances.
Tobacco
A limited quantity of cigarettes, cigars, or loose tobacco per adult traveler, as specified by Indonesian customs.
Amounts above the duty-free threshold are subject to import duty and tax. The official Indonesian customs website lists current per-person limits.
Currency
Cash in any currency above the declaration threshold set by Indonesian customs must be declared upon arrival.
The declaration is part of the All Indonesia arrival card. Failure to declare amounts above the threshold can result in confiscation and penalties. Check the current threshold on the official Indonesian customs website before traveling.
Gifts/Goods
Personal belongings and gifts up to a value limit set by Indonesian customs may be brought in duty-free.
Goods above the duty-free value threshold are subject to import duties. Commercial quantities of any item will likely trigger scrutiny and duties regardless of declared value.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and illegal drugs in any quantity: Indonesia imposes extremely severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without explicit government authorization
  • Pornographic material in any format
  • Counterfeit currency or goods
  • Fresh fruit, certain plant materials, and unprocessed agricultural products without phytosanitary certification
  • Printed or digital material deemed subversive or offensive to Indonesian public order
  • Certain traditional medicines or supplements containing ingredients banned under Indonesian law

Restricted Items

  • Prescription medications beyond personal-use quantities should be accompanied by a doctor's letter and kept in original packaging with clear labeling
  • Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and cameras for personal use are generally permitted. But commercial quantities may require an import permit
  • Cultural artifacts, antiques, and certain animal products may require export permits if you plan to take them out of Indonesia
  • Some food products and animal goods need advance clearance from Indonesian quarantine authorities.

Health Requirements

Indonesia sets health entry rules nationally, not city by city. The All Indonesia arrival card handles screening questions. Extra vaccination or health paperwork depends on your origin and health status.

Required Vaccinations

  • Arriving from or transiting through yellow fever risk countries? You need a valid certificate. This International Health Regulations rule applies at all Indonesian ports, Surabaya's Juanda International Airport included.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis An and B shots are standard recommendations for Indonesia. Food, water, and medical care all pose exposure risks.
  • Consider typhoid vaccination. Essential if you plan to eat beyond major hotels and established restaurants in Surabaya.
  • Keep routine vaccinations current. Measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria matter here.
  • Spending extended time in rural East Java around Surabaya? Japanese encephalitis vaccination may be worth discussing.
  • Rabies pre-exposure shots deserve a conversation with your travel health advisor. Prioritize this if you will handle animals or visit areas far from post-exposure treatment.

Health Insurance

Indonesia rarely demands travel health insurance at entry. Skip it at your own risk. Surabaya has decent hospitals. But foreign nationals face steep bills. Emergency treatment and medical evacuation costs add up fast. Get coverage for hospitalization, outpatient care, and evacuation. Surabaya offers some of East Java's better facilities. Complex cases still require transfer to Singapore or another regional hub.

Current Health Requirements: Yellow fever risk country on your itinerary? Bring your certificate. Beyond that, Surabaya's Juanda airport screens via the health declaration on your mandatory All Indonesia arrival card. Rules shift with outbreaks and emergencies. Check Indonesian Ministry of Health guidance and your home country's advisory before flying.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Several countries run consulates in Surabaya. Most embassies sit in Jakarta. Find your nearest diplomatic post through your foreign ministry's website.
Register with your embassy or consulate before departure. They need to reach you in emergencies. Most governments handle this online through their travel advisory portals.
Immigration Authority
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration controls all visa and entry matters. Their official website carries the definitive word on current requirements, procedures, and policy shifts.
Need a visa extension, status change, or overstay help in Surabaya? Go to Kantor Imigrasi Surabaya in person. Bring your passport and entry documents.
Emergency
Indonesia runs national emergency lines for police, ambulance, and fire. Surabaya's central districts see reasonable response times.
Program local emergency numbers before you land. Your hotel can help contact services and bridge language gaps with responders.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children need their own passport and visa matching their nationality, same categories as adults. One parent or a non-parent guardian traveling with a child? Carry a notarized consent letter from absent parents. Officers may ask. Birth certificates help prove relationships and smooth immigration at Surabaya. Indonesian law sets no universal documentary rule for accompanied minors. Officers can question unusual arrangements.

Traveling with Pets

Bringing pets to Indonesia takes planning. You need a health certificate from a licensed home-country vet, current rabies vaccination proof, and an import permit from Indonesia's agricultural quarantine authority. Animals face quarantine on arrival. Duration varies by origin country and paperwork. Not every Indonesian airport processes animal imports. Confirm Juanda International Airport in Surabaya handles your pet. Start months ahead. The bureaucracy demands it.

Extended Stays

Staying longer in Indonesia means navigating a patchwork of visa rules. Some permits extend through Surabaya's immigration office. Others cannot. Social, cultural, business, and retirement visas each demand different paperwork and proof. Check the official Indonesian immigration website for current categories and procedures. Overstaying triggers fines, detention, deportation, or entry bans. Track your dates. Start extensions early.

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