Indonesia gets even trickier
Since the Bali bombing 15 months ago, Indonesia has been on the Foreign Office blacklist of countries it warns you not to visit: “There is a continuing risk of harassment of Westerners by fundamentalists,” says the FO’s Travel Advice Unit.
Many British travellers, particularly backpackers, have chosen to disregard this warning - even though most travel insurance policies are invalidated by visits to countries on the blacklist. Now the Indonesian government has brought in an extra disincentive: a requirement for a tourist visa to be bought on arrival. The three- day version, intended mainly for those on brief stopovers in Bali en route to Australia, costs US$10 (pounds 6). The 30-day visa is US$25 (pounds 15). It is not yet clear what currencies are acceptable for payment; carrying US dollars is probably the best way to avoid problems and/or unfavourable rates of exchange.
Note that the visas are available upon arrival only at what are described as “main points of entry”; if you plan any unusual approaches, such as by sea from Singapore, you may need to arrange a visa prior to travel; check your proposed port of entry with the Indonesian Embassy in London (020-7499 7661, www.indonesianembassy.org.uk).
One final hurdle: departure tax when leaving Indonesia is now 100,000 rupiah (pounds 6.50).
Copyright 2004 Independent Newspapers UK Limited
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