Business Customs
The best time for an initial business trip is September through June, as school holidays and vacation time in the summer months can impact the availability of many businesspeople. Visitors should check the local holiday schedule before traveling to Indonesia. Business appointments are often difficult to schedule during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and as well as during the two-week period after Ramadan when Indonesians typically travel to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri with their extended families. The most common business attire is batik shirt, with short-sleeve considered informal and long-sleeve considered to be formal. A business suit or dress (formal) or a white shirt/blouse and slacks/skirt (informal) are also common attire.
Indonesia is a very diverse country, with more than 300 different ethnic groups. While some Indonesians are traditional, others may be considerably “Westernized.” Still, many Indonesians do not conduct business transactions or make decisions in the same direct, legalistic fashion that many Americans do. U.S. businesspeople should be prepared to spend a good deal of time with clients to build mutual understanding and trust before getting down to the business transaction.
Traditional Javanese culture emphasizes harmony and the word “no” is rarely used. This can make it difficult for a Westerner to ascertain exactly how a business proposal is being received. Because Indonesians often prefer to do business with people who they know well and trust, developing rapport is crucial. While quality and price are important, they are often secondary to the personal interaction of the business partners.
During business meetings, sweet tea or coffee is almost always served and should be accepted. It should not be consumed until the host invites you to do so, which may not occur until the end of the meeting. Generally speaking, it is best to use the right hand in receiving or eating. Although hand shaking is a common practice, avoid hearty handshakes and other physical contact. Do not show the soles of your shoes when seated.
Business travelers to Indonesia seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Jakarta officials should contact the U.S. Commercial Service in advance. The U.S. Commercial Service can be reached by telephone at (62-21) 5083-1000 or by e-mail: office.jakarta@trade.gov.
Travel Advisory
Travelers visiting Indonesia may wish to review the State Department Country Specific Information on International Travel Country Information
Visa Requirements
U.S. citizens traveling to Indonesia for business purposes are required to have a valid visa. All travelers to Indonesia must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival in Indonesia, at least two blank visa pages, as well as an onward/return airline ticket. Indonesian authorities regularly deny entry to Americans who arrive with less than six months validity on their passports.
Visas can be obtained by applying at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington or at their Consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. U.S. citizens travelling for tourism may qualify for free, 30-day non-extendable Free Visit Entry Stamp. For tourists planning to stay longer than 30 days and up to 60 days, a Tourist Visa should be obtained in advance.
Some types of business visas must be obtained before arrival, including a Limited Stay Visa and a Business Visa. 30-day Visas on Arrival are available for most U.S. travelers upon arrival at the international airports in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Denpasar and several other large cities for a fee of $35. Visas on Arrival can usually be extended by 30 days without leaving Indonesia. Visas on Arrival do not permit work or installation of equipment in Indonesia. U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration authorities for conducting business that is out of the scope of their visa type.
If you overstay your visa, you will be subject to a fine of 1 million Indonesian rupiah per day (about $70 USD at current exchange rates; fees may change at any time) and may be detained and deported. Arrival and departure dates are counted in the 30-day calculation. U.S. citizens have been jailed for visa overstays. Some prescription medications common in the U.S. are considered to be illegal narcotics in Indonesia, so if you require sleeping pills or prescription medication for things like ADHD or pain, check with the Indonesian embassy before departure.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to check with the Indonesian Embassy or the Directorate General of Immigration, as visa requirements can change on short notice. For advisories and alerts regarding travel to Indonesia, please see the International Travel Country Information
Currency
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Telecommunications/Electronics
Many homes and offices in urban areas have landline telephone services installed. Public pay phones are no longer available. Landline telephone numbers have between five and eight digits. Seven-digit numbers are the most common, while newer numbers have eight digits. Smaller towns outside Jakarta use five- or six-digit numbers for local calls. International direct dial lines are served by two operators, PT Indosat (001 or 008) and PT Telkomsel (007 or 017) serve international direct dial lines. To make an immediate international call from landline phone numbers, dial the operators’ prefix number followed by country code + area code + phone number.
At 353.8 million subscribers, Indonesians primarily use cell phones, commonly called “handphones.” If you have an unlocked smartphone, passport holders can purchase and register SIM cards at many stores and kiosks. There are many GSM and 4G LTE-based cell phone operators in Indonesia, including Telkomsel, XL Axiata, IM3 Ooredoo (previously Indosat), Axis, 3 (Tri), and Smartfren. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service offers a low-cost option for international calls compared to placing calls from landline numbers. All of the operators provide pre-paid service options with voice and data packages. Wi-Fi access is widely available in restaurants and cafes in the major metropolitan and tourist areas of Indonesia. Most urban areas are served by cable and optic fiber broadband internet connectivity.
Transportation
Airlines that provide international flight service to Indonesia include Garuda, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Asiana, Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Many of these airlines offer code share flights with U.S. airline carriers. There are currently no direct flights from the U.S. to Indonesia, but connecting flights can be found in Singapore, Japan, or Hong Kong. Connections to domestic flights to other cities in Indonesia are readily available. There is a low-cost rail network connecting major cities. Heavy traffic frequently causes significant delays when traveling by car. Taxis are plentiful, but it is advisable to use taxi services available at major hotels, such as Silver Bird and Blue Bird taxis. Grab, and Gojek mobile applications can also be used to reserve taxis. Golden Bird cars and drivers can be hired by the day, costing around $120 - 140 per day.
Language
The national language spoken throughout Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, although there are also many local languages. English is widely spoken and understood by most businesspeople in major cities. Most hotels have English-speaking staff, as do the shopping centers that cater to expatriates and tourists. International telephone operators also speak English. The level of English can vary widely in all situations. Indonesian firms hoping to conduct business with foreigners generally try to employ some English speakers, but it is not expected within every company.
Health
Short-term visitors to Indonesia are advised to be up to date on their Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid vaccinations, in addition to all routine childhood immunizations. The hepatitis vaccination series takes six months to complete. Those considering travel outside the major cities (Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, southern Bali, etc.) should consider anti-malaria medication. Physicians in the United States should be able to answer questions pertaining to immunizations and other health concerns.
Air pollution in the larger cities can be an issue for both short-term visitors and long-term residents. Air quality in Jakarta is reported by two monitors maintained by the U.S. Embassy, and measurements can be seen at: U.S. Embassy Jakarta Air Quality Monitor and AirNow Department of State
Dehydration as a result of intestinal illnesses can be a serious, even life-threatening, condition if not treated. Persons suffering from severe diarrhea may obtain an oral rehydration solution from a local pharmacy. If vomiting makes it impossible to adequately re-hydrate, visit a clinic immediately.
Dengue Fever – According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, 94,355 people were diagnosed with dengue fever in 2022. Dengue fever is a mosquito borne disease prominent in much of the tropical world and the risk can be reduced by wearing long-sleeves and using mosquito nets and repellent.
Avian Influenza – Indonesia has experienced several outbreaks of Avian Influenza (AI). Economic hardship and ignorance of modern disease control methods have combined to make Indonesia’s AI control efforts somewhat ineffective. Of the 200 cases confirmed from 2005-2018 in Indonesia, 168 have been fatal. No additional cases of Avian Influenza have been reported from 2019-2020 (week forty). Americans who travel to Indonesia should obtain up to date health information before departing the U.S.
Zika - Zika virus is a risk in Indonesia. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to Indonesia. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) by calling 1-800-232-4636 or visiting CDC’s Internet site at www.cdc.gov/travel/. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad and additional health information for travelers, consult the site of the World Health Organization at https://www.who.int/en.
There are some modern, well-equipped clinics and hospitals in Jakarta that are considered adequate for minor illnesses, but expatriates generally prefer to fly to Singapore or their home countries for treatment of serious illnesses and/or operations. An adequate pre-hospital emergency system, similar to the “911” system in the U.S., does not exist in any Indonesian cities. Many local hospitals operate their own ambulances, with no common standards. Response time can be prolonged. In the event of illness or emergency that requires information on medical assistance, please refer to Medical providers and clinics/hospitals.
Local time, business hours, and holidays
Indonesia has three time zones:
- Eastern Indonesian time is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (13 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time).
- Central Indonesia time is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time).
- Western Indonesian time (including Jakarta) is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (11 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time).
Business hours are generally:
- Commerce 0900 -1700 Monday - Friday (note: Friday prayers are at 1200-1300)
- Government 0730 – 1600 Monday – Friday
- Banks 0900 – 1500 Monday – Friday
- Shops 1000 – 2200 Monday – Sunday
List of public holidays in Indonesia https://publicholidays.co.id
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Temporary Entry/Import, according to Indonesian Customs, is the movement of imported commodities into the customs territory for subsequent export. As a result, the imported items must be entering Indonesia and then can remain for a maximum of three years before being re-exported. The items can be merchandise for exhibitions, seminars, conference, or similar activities; goods for research and scientific purposes, professionals/expert’s samples and/or demonstrations; public performances, sports and/or competitions goods; packages used in connection with the transportation and/or packaging of imported or exported goods, either repeatedly or not; foreign yachts used by foreign tourist themselves; goods to be repaired, overhauled, tested, and/or calibrated; live animals for the purpose of public performances, sports, competitions, training and/or handling security incidents; goods for the purpose of dealing with natural disasters, fires, environmental damage or security incidents, or for humanitarian or social purposes; goods for the activities of the National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police, in the context of defense and security; vessels imported by national commercial shipping companies or national fishing companies, whose main function is sailing to transport passengers and/or goods engaged in maritime transportation or fishing within Indonesian waters; aircraft and aircraft engines imported by national airlines engaged in air transportation activities within Indonesian territory including helicopters; personal effects of passengers and personal effects of the crew of the means of transport; support beams for government projects financed by loans or grant from abroad; means or transportation not used for transportation within the customs territory and/or containers and equipment not used for transportation. Regulation about Temporary Import is Amendment to Regulation of the Minister of Finance 178/PMK.04/2017 Regarding Temporary Import.
If you have a temporary residency visa or KITAS (Limited Stay Permit), you are allowed to import no more than one container of personal belongings. With the KITAS, you are granted residency in Indonesia for a period of 6 to 24 months, or longer, if extension is applied and approved. Application for KITAS is submitted to the Head of the Immigration Office or an appointed immigration official whose work area includes the foreigner’s residence.