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Americans No Longer Need Visas to Travel to Indonesia

June 17, 2015
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2 min read
St. Regis Bali
Americans No Longer Need Visas to Travel to Indonesia
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Increasingly popular with Americans, the gorgeous Southeast Asian country of Indonesia (which includes The Points Guy's beloved island of Bali) has long required most visitors to obtain entry visas upon arrival. However, on June 9, 2015, Indonesian President Joko Widodo decreed that the citizens of 30 countries — including the United States — can now obtain free-of-charge visas on arrival in Indonesia that will be valid for a 30-day stay in the country.

Bali, one of Indonesia's many islands, is increasingly popular with Americans — who can now travel there visa-free.

The following 30 countries are now eligible for visa-free status: The USA, Canada and Mexico; Great Britain, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, the People’s Republic of China, South Korea and Japan; Qatar, the U.A.E., Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman; New Zealand and South Africa.

They now join the following countries already granted with this status: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Singapore, Darussalam, Philippines, Chile, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam, Ecuador, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Macau.

Visa free entry is granted only at the following gateways:

  • Soekarno-Hatta Airport (CGK) in Jakarta
  • Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Bali
  • Kualu Namu Airport (KNO) in Medan, North Sumatra
  • Juanda Airport (SUB) in Surabaya, East Java
  • Hang Nadim Airport (BTH) in Batam
  • Port of Sekupang and Port of Batam Center, both in Batam
  • Port of Sri Bintan in Bintan
  • Port of Tanjung Uban in Riau

This is wonderful news for travelers, and there are some great deals to be found for those of you looking to travel to Indonesia this summer! Previously, only a few immigration lanes would open and the rest of the immigration officers would open a cash-only "express visa" service. Therefore, this change will make the process much easier and more efficient.

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For more information on the country, check out these related posts:

What I Loved About Bali

Destination of the Week: Bali

Hotel Review: The St. Regis Bali Resort

HT: One Mile At A Time

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.