🇮🇩Indonesia

🇺🇸United StatesID-US

Indonesia to United States visa requirements

Q: Can Indonesian passport holders use ESTA?

No. ESTA is only for Visa Waiver Program nationals, and Indonesia is not on the State Department VWP list.

Q: How much does the B-1/B-2 visa cost?

The State Department MRV application fee for a B visitor visa is US$185. Indonesia's reciprocity table currently lists no separate B-1/B-2 visa issuance fee.

Q: How long is the B-1/B-2 valid for Indonesians?

The State Department reciprocity table lists B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 for Indonesians as multiple-entry visas valid for 60 months.

Q: Does a 5-year visa mean I can stay 5 years?

No. Visa validity is not the stay period. CBP decides each admission at the port of entry and records the admit-until date in I-94, often up to 6 months for B visitors.

Q: Can I work or study in the U.S. on B-1/B-2?

No paid employment is allowed on a visitor visa. Study for credit toward a U.S. degree or certificate also requires the correct student visa.

Visa required. Indonesian ordinary passport holders need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa; Indonesia is not eligible for ESTA. Indonesian ordinary passport holders need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa before travelling to the United States for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, transit, or short business meetings. Indonesia is not listed as a Visa Waiver Program country, so ESTA is not available. The application uses DS-160, the current State Department B visitor visa application fee is US$185, and Indonesia's reciprocity table lists no B-1/B-2 issuance fee with multiple entries for 60 months. The visa validity only controls when the traveller may ask to enter; CBP decides admission and the actual stay at the port of entry and records it in I-94, often up to 6 months for B visitors. B-1/B-2 does not permit employment in the United States or study for credit toward a degree.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

B-1/B-2 visitor visa

Maximum stay

CBP decides at entry and records it in I-94, often up to 6 months

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

US$185 MRV application fee

consular fee only

Processing time

Appointment-dependent; Jakarta about 1.5 months, Surabaya under 0.5 month on 2026-06-20

standard track

Validity

60 months under Indonesia reciprocity

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm the right visa category

Use B-1/B-2 for tourism, visits, medical treatment, transit, or limited business activity such as meetings. Use a student or work visa for degree study, credit-bearing study, or employment.

· B-1/B-2· no ESTA

/02

Complete DS-160

Submit the online nonimmigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov and save the barcode confirmation page for the interview.

· DS-160 required

/03

Pay MRV and schedule

Create the official appointment profile, pay the non-refundable US$185 MRV fee, and schedule the consular appointment in Jakarta or Surabaya unless a limited interview-waiver renewal route applies.

· US$185· appointment

/04

Attend the interview

Bring the passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment confirmation, fee receipt, photo if needed, and supporting documents showing purpose, funds, and ties to Indonesia.

· consular officer· 214(b)

/05

Check visa and I-94

If approved, verify the visa class, entries, and expiration date. After arrival, check the I-94 admit-until date because CBP, not the visa sticker, sets each stay period.

· I-94· CBP

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

14 items

Personalized checklist

Indonesia -> United States · B-1/B-2 visitor visa

0 / 14 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredIndonesian passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid for the intended U.S. stay; Indonesia is exempt from the six-month passport-validity rule

RequiredDS-160 confirmation page

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Barcode must match the appointment profile

RequiredAppointment confirmation

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Jakarta or Surabaya appointment details

RequiredMRV fee receipt

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

US$185, non-refundable

ConditionalRecent visa photo

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

Bring one printed 5x5 cm / 2x2 inch photo if upload fails

ConditionalIndonesian ID documents

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

KTP and Kartu Keluarga if relevant

RequiredEmployment, school, or business proof

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Leave letter, salary slips, business registration, or enrolment proof

ConditionalFunds and tax evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Bank statements, SPT annual tax return, sponsor evidence if applicable

RequiredTravel purpose evidence

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Itinerary, hotel, invitation, conference, or family-visit details

RequiredHome ties evidence

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Family, property, employment, school, or business obligations in Indonesia

ConditionalPrior U.S. visa/refusal history

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Old passports, previous visas, I-94 records, and refusal notes if any

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesU.S. Department of State — Visitor Visa (last modified 2026-06-18)U.S. Department of State — Fees for Visa Services (last modified 2026-06-18)U.S. Department of State — Indonesia Reciprocity Schedule (last modified 2026-06-18)

Application link included: U.S. Department of State — Visitor Visa (last modified 2026-06-18)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

B-1/B-2 MRV application feeUS$185Non-refundable State Department fee

Visa issuance reciprocity feeUS$0Indonesia reciprocity table lists no B-1/B-2 issuance fee

Courier or passport pickupVariesSelected in the official appointment profile

Interview waiver renewalUS$185Only if eligible; the MRV fee still applies

Total estimateUS$185 — US$185+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard interview

Jakarta about 1.5 months; Surabaya under 0.5 month

State Department Global Visa Wait Times checked on 2026-06-20. Appointment estimates change frequently and do not include passport return or administrative processing.

Interview waiver renewal

Limited and appointment-dependent

From October 1, 2025, B-1/B-2 renewal interview-waiver eligibility is generally limited to renewals within 12 months of the prior full-validity visa's expiration, with other criteria; officers may still require an interview.

Administrative processing

Weeks or longer

Some refused applications need additional review before a final outcome.

Passport return

Post-dependent

If approved, allow extra time for visa printing and passport pickup or delivery.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient ties to Indonesia

The officer is not satisfied the trip is temporary or that the applicant will leave the United States after the visit.

High

/02

Unclear purpose of travel

Vague itineraries, weak event details, or unsupported family-visit plans can trigger refusal.

High

/03

Funding mismatch

Trip cost does not fit income, savings, or sponsor evidence.

Medium

/04

DS-160 inconsistencies

Employment, travel history, family, or prior refusal answers conflict with documents or interview responses.

Medium

/05

Prior immigration problems

Previous overstays, unauthorized work, misrepresentation, or removal are serious red flags.

Medium

/06

Suspected work or study intent

B-1/B-2 covers visitor activity only and cannot be used for U.S. employment or degree/credit study.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

CBP inspection

A visa lets you request admission. CBP decides the actual period of stay and records it in your I-94.

/02

Customs

Declare food, agricultural items, and cash over USD 10,000. Missing declarations can cause fines or seizure.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs are expensive; eSIMs or prepaid plans bought online often work better for short trips.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

Codex rechecked ID-US visitor route

Codex rechecked official State Department, U.S. Embassy Indonesia, and CBP sources; refreshed checked-date and lastVerifiedAt, confirmed visa-required/no ESTA status, US$185 MRV fee, 60-month multiple-entry reciprocity, CBP/I-94 stay control, tightened interview-waiver rules, current wait-time guidance, and Indonesia's passport-validity exemption.

2026-05-27

Indonesia to US route verified

Confirmed B-1/B-2 US$185, Indonesia not on VWP, 5-year reciprocity validity typical.

2023-05-30

MRV fee raised to US$185

U.S. increased the nonimmigrant visa application fee for B visitor visas from US$160 to US$185 effective June 17, 2023.

/09 — The questions