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Cars 4 Rental Information on Indonesia

General

Area: 1,922,570 sq km (742,308 sq miles).

Population: 217,131,000 (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density: 112.9 per sq km.

Capital: Jakarta (Java). Population: 11,429,400 (UN estimate 2001).

GEOGRAPHY: Indonesia lies between the mainland of South-East Asia and Australia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world’s largest archipelago state. Indonesia is made up of five main islands – Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan (part of the island of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (the western half of New Guinea) – and 30 smaller archipelagos. In total, the Indonesian archipelago consists of about 17,500 islands; 6000 of these are inhabited and stretch over 4828km (3000 miles), most lying in a volcanic belt with more than 300 volcanoes, the great majority of which are extinct. The landscape varies from island to island, ranging from high mountains and plateaux to coastal lowlands and alluvial belts.

Government: Republic. Declared independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Head of State and Government: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since 2004.

Language: Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. It is similar to Malay and written in the Roman alphabet. All together, there are an estimated 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Many local languages are further divided by special forms of address depending on social status, and all languages are spoken in a variety of local dialects. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and tourism, and many people in the more remote areas have a basic command of English. The older generation still speaks Dutch as a second language and French is spoken at some of the better hotels and restaurants.

Religion: There is a Muslim majority of approximately 90 per cent, with Christian, Hindu (mainly in Bali) and Buddhist minorities. Animist beliefs are held in remote areas.

Time: Indonesia spans three time zones:
Bangka, Balitung, Java, West and Central Kalimantan, Madura and Sumatra: GMT + 7 (West), GMT + 8 (Central), GMT + 9 (East).
Bali, Flores, South and East Kalimantan, Lombok, Sulawesi, Sumba, Sumbawa and Timor: GMT + 8.
Aru, Irian Jaya, Kai, Moluccas and Tanimbar: GMT + 9.

Electricity: Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz, but 127 volts AC, 50Hz, in some rural areas.

Communications:

Telephone

IDD is available to main cities. Country code: 62 (followed by 22 for Bandung, 21 for Jakarta, 61 for Medan and 31 for Surabaya). Outgoing international code: 00. Many hotel lobbies have public phones which take credit cards and phone cards. State-operated phone booths (WARTEL), which work on a pay-as-you-leave basis, can be found throughout the country. For emergencies, dial 110 (police) or 118 (ambulance for traffic accidents) or 119 (ambulance for general health) or 113 (fire department).

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Main operators include Excelcom (website: www.excelcom.co.id), Lippo Telecom (website: www.lippotel.com) and Telkomsel (website: www.telkomsel.com). Coverage may be limited to main towns and cities.

Fax

Faxes can be sent and received from WARTEL shops.

Internet

ISPs include Indobiz (website: www.indobiz.com) and Indosat (website: www.indosatm2.com). There are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist destinations.

Telegram

These can be sent from any telegraphic office; in Jakarta facilities are available 24 hours a day, but services outside Jakarta are less efficient.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 10 days. Internal mail is fast and generally reliable by the express service (Pos KILAT), but mail to the outer islands can be subject to considerable delays.

Press

There are several English-language newspapers in Jakarta and on the other islands, notably Bali Post, Indonesian Observer, Jakarta Post and The Indonesia Times.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Rp1000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Currency exchange: Although there should be no difficulty exchanging major currencies in the main tourist centres, problems may occur elsewhere. The easiest currency to exchange is the US Dollar.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Jakarta and the main tourist areas. In more remote areas, it is best to carry cash in small denominations. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Limited merchant acceptance but can be easily exchanged at banks and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency. The import and export of local currency is limited to Rp5,000,000 which must be declared; more than Rp10,000,000 needs authorisation. Failure to declare amounts in excess of Rp10,000,000 may result in heavy fines. Local currency may be exchanged on departure.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Rupiah against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04 Aug ’04
£1.00= 14418.1 15396.60 15600.7 17041.7
$1.00= 8496.50 8458.50 8734.50 9250.00

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1500.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. The countries and areas included in the yellow fever endemic zones are considered by Indonesia as infected areas. For a map of yellow fever endemic zones, see the Health appendix.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Indonesia. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

3: Typhoid occurs. Poliomyelitis transmission has been interrupted in Indonesia.

4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year everywhere except in the main tourist resorts of Java and Bali, Jakarta municipality and other big cities where risk is only slight. The malignant form falciparum is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethane. The benign form vivax is reported to be resistant to chloroquine. The recommended prophylaxis in risk areas is mefloquine.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Amoebic and bacillary dysenteries occur. Hepatitis A and E occur and hepatitis B is highly endemic. Dengue fever, giardiasis, Japanese Encephalitis and Parityphoid can occur. Tuberculosis and diphtheria vaccinations are sometimes recommended. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in central Sulawesi. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: Health insurance to include emergency repatriation cover is strongly advised. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities, but emergency services are generally inadequate outside major cities. Fees must be paid before leaving the hospital. Although medical costs are relatively cheap, drugs can be expensive.

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Climate

Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year. Higher regions are cooler.

Required clothing: Lightweights with rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for cool evenings and upland areas. Smart clothes such as jackets are required for formal occasions, and it is regarded inappropriate to wear halter-neck tops and shorts anywhere other than the beach or at sports facilities.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes Yes Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

Restricted entry: (a) Nationals of Israel will be refused entry unless they have applied to the Immigration Office in Indonesia, prior to travelling, to obtain approval/special permit. (b) Nationals of CIS travelling to Indonesia as tourists, or for business or social purposes, need approval from the Immigration Office in Indonesia before travelling. (c) All applications for business, tourist and social visits from nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Korea (Dem Rep), Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tonga need special approval from the Immigration Department in Indonesia.

Note: East Timor is no longer a part of Indonesia. Those wishing to travel to this area should contact the nearest United Nations office in the country where they live.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for tourist stays of up to 30 days (non-extendable):
(a) nationals of Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Note: (a) All journalists and business travellers regardless of nationality require visas and special permission. (b) All children travelling with parents who require visas must also have visas, even if travelling on their parents’ passports. (c) All visitors require sufficient funds in cash (at least US$1,000) and/or travellers cheques. Credit cards can no longer be accepted as proof of a traveller’s financial status when applying for a visa or travelling to Indonesia, due to the fact that there has been regular misuse of credit cards and credit limits. (d) Nationals entering on a visa-free facility may also do so if on an official visit (eg attending an official international conference) or working in an Indonesian or foreign vessel operating within an Indonesian archipelago or territorial seas, or construction works at installations within the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone of Continental Shelf. (e) Visas may be granted upon arrival for certain nationals, entering from certain ports of entry. These are valid for up to 30 days. (f) Special visas may be acquired for journalists/ photographers; enquire at the nearest Embassy/Consulate.

Warning: Visitors who exceed their visa-free stay will be given severe fines and possibly deported.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £35 (for up to 60 days). Multiple-entry*: £125 (for up to 1 year). Transit: £15. Fees are non-refundable. The administration fee for visa approval and authorisation is £5.

Note: *Multiple-entry visas are issued for business trips only and need approval from the Immigration Office in Indonesia.

Validity: Single-entry visas are valid for 3 months from date of issue for a maximum stay of 60 days. Multiple-entry visas are valid for a maximum of 1 year, with the length of each stay lasting no longer than 60 days. The first entry must be within 3 months of date of issue. Transit visas are valid for 3 months after the date of issue for a period of up to 7 days.

Application to: Visa section at Embassy; see Contact Addresses section. All visitors are advised to process their visas at the visa section at the Embassy before entry to Indonesia.

Application requirements: Tourist visas and visa-free short visits: (a) Passport valid for at least 6 months (18 months for those applying for multiple-entry business visas) from date of entry. (b) One application form (the original not a photocopy, signed by the applicant). (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Bank statement dated less than 1 month with a minimum balance of £1,000 or equivalent. If proof of sufficient funds cannot be provided for nationals applying for a transit visa, a letter guaranteeing financial support for the applicant from an external person/body, together with relevant documentation to support this claim, must be submitted as an alternative. (e) Onward or return tickets, which may be purchased at point of entry. (f) Fee (payable in cash or by postal order only). (g) A pre-paid special delivery envelope for postal applications. (h) Travel itinerary. (i) International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination, if travelling from or stopping at infected areas, presented to Immigration Officers at ports of entry. (j) Letter dated less than 1 month from national’s employer. If self-employed, submit a confirmation letter from national’s solicitor, accountant or bank manager. If a student, submit confirmation letter of attendance of school, college or university. If travelling on the basis of providing domestic help (ie as an ‘au pair’), the employer’s passport must be submitted along with a photocopy of the passport and a letter from the employer. Business visas: (a)-(i) and, (j) Letter from the applicant’s company in home country and the sponsor/ counterpart in Indonesia stating the reason and duration of the visit and guarantee of financial responsibility and responsibility for arrangement of accommodation. (k) Written approval from the Indonesian Immigration Department. Social Visit visas: (a)-(i) and, (j) Letter of invitation from the applicant’s family, friends or relatives in Indonesia stating the reason and duration of the visit and details of accommodation.

Working days required: 2 to 3 (personal applications); 7 (postal applications). However applications that need referral to the authorities in Indonesia may take 2 months or more.

Temporary residence: People wishing to stay and work in Indonesia must apply directly to the Immigration Office in Indonesia for a Temporary Stay Visa. The Embassy in London cannot issue the visa unless, and until, special authorisation is given by the Immigration Office in Indonesia. The visa is valid for a period of 12 months and can be extended. The cost for 12 months is £100. It is advisable to have your Indonesian sponsor submit the application directly to the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta. For further information on temporary residence, contact the visa section at the Embassy (see Contact Addresses section).

Note: People wishing to travel to Aceh, Irian Jaya and Maluka must obtain a special permit from the Indonesian Immigration Office and the State Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Upon arrival in Aceh, Irian Jaya and Maluka, visitors must report to the local police office. Permits are issued at the discretion of the immigration authorities on presentation of a valid passport, a return ticket and several passport photographs.

Gateways: Entry and exits must be made from one of the authorised 17 airports, 24 seaports or the authorised overland entry point in Etikong (West Kalimantan). Contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate for further information.
Nationals of the following countries may enter and exit Indonesia through any immigration check points: Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

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