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Medan Entry Requirements

Medan Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Information last reviewed June 2024. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Medan slaps you awake the moment the cabin doors open: North Sumatra's wet heat rolls in, laced with the sweet sting of clove cigarettes drifting from curb-side kiosks. Inside Kualanamu International Airport, immigration queues glide beneath cold fluorescent tubes that bounce off glossy marble floors. Foreign visitors collect a free visa-on-arrival stamp or sweep through the e-gate with a pre-approved eVisa, while Indonesians slide through their own fast lanes. Before touchdown, check that your passport carries six months validity and one blank page for the entry stamp. Expect rapid Bahasa chatter from officers, the rip of departure cards torn from perforated pads, and the metallic clatter of roller bags crossing the detector threshold. Medan's immigration counters shut precisely thirty minutes after the last scheduled arrival, so any delay triggers a sudden increase of anxious footsteps echoing down the terminal.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Indonesia splits arrivals into three neat piles: visa-free, eVisa/ETA, and visa-required. Medan sticks to national rules with zero extra provincial twists.

Visa-Free Entry
30 days, non-extendable

Passport holders from ASEAN member states plus selected countries may enter Medan without a visa for tourism or family visits.

Includes
Brunei Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Timor-Leste Chile Morocco Peru

Entry is granted at Kualanamu Airport immigration desk. Stamping takes under one minute.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30 days, extendable once for another 30 days inside Indonesia

Travelers from 92 countries apply online for an eVisa on Arrival (eVOA) before departure.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia Germany France Netherlands Italy Spain Japan South Korea New Zealand Brazil Argentina Mexico India China Russia Saudi Arabia UAE
How to Apply: Apply at molina.imigrasi.go.id at least 48 hours before departure. Upload passport bio page, return ticket, and hotel booking. Approval arrives by email within one business day.
Cost: IDR 500000

Present the QR code from your phone to the e-gate; no need to queue for manual stamping.

Visa Required
60 days single-entry visit visa

Citizens of countries not included in the two categories above must secure a visa in advance from an Indonesian embassy or consulate.

How to Apply: Submit passport, photo, flight itinerary, hotel reservation, and bank statement to the nearest Indonesian diplomatic mission. Processing takes 3, 5 working days.

Applicants must show proof of onward travel and funds of at least USD 2000 or equivalent.

Arrival Process

Kualanamu International Airport is Medan's only international gateway. From touchdown to curb takes 25, 45 minutes depending on arrival load.

1
Health Screening
Thermal cameras scan each passenger for elevated temperature. If flagged, a nurse conducts a quick ear-temperature check under bright white lights while the smell of disinfectant lingers.
2
Immigration Control
Choose e-gate (left) for eVOA holders or manual counters (right) for visa-free stamps. Officers speak basic English and typically ask purpose of visit while tapping keyboards that click softly.
3
Baggage Claim
Carousels rotate against a backdrop of green 'Welcome to Medan' banners. Vendors sell sweet martabak from wheeled carts, its caramel scent mingling with the rubbery smell of conveyor belts.
4
Customs Declaration
Green 'Nothing to Declare' lanes funnel most tourists past officers seated at wooden desks. Red lanes require a brief interview under fluorescent tubes that hum faintly.
5
Exit to Arrivals Hall
Glass doors slide open to reveal humid air carrying the scent of frangipani and diesel. Touts shout 'Taxi, taxi!' while uniformed drivers hold laminated name cards.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for six months beyond entry date and contain at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
Return or onward ticket
Required at check-in before departure and may be requested by immigration. Electronic version accepted.
eVOA QR code or visa
Display on phone or printed paper at e-gate or manual counter.
Customs declaration form
Distributed on arrival. Complete if carrying restricted or dutiable items.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Queue at the far left e-gate counters. They open earliest and move fastest.
Keep hotel booking confirmation on your phone in case of questions.
Have exact change of IDR 500000 for eVOA payment at the airport bank counter if you forgot to pay online.

Customs & Duty-Free

Indonesian customs officers at Medan apply national duty-free allowances strictly but politely.

Alcohol
One litre of spirits or two litres of wine
Must be 18 years or older. Confiscated if underage.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of loose tobacco
Exceeding quantities incur a levy of IDR 50000 per cigarette pack.
Currency
Declaration required if carrying cash or bearer instruments exceeding IDR 100,000,000 or foreign equivalent
Fill the blue customs form and present to the red lane.
Gifts/Goods
Maximum value IDR 7,500,000 per person
Applies to new items purchased abroad. Antiques and electronics often checked.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and illicit drugs, immediate detention and prosecution
  • Pornographic material in any format, confiscation and fine
  • Chinese medicines containing controlled substances, destroyed on sight
  • Endangered wildlife or plants, subject to CITES seizure

Restricted Items

  • Prescription medicine, bring original packaging and doctor's letter
  • Professional camera drones, require prior Directorate General of Civil Aviation permit
  • Satellite phones, special import permit from Ministry of Communication

Health Requirements

Medan's tropical climate demands updated routine vaccines. No COVID-19 test is currently required regardless of vaccination status.

Required Vaccinations

  • Proof of yellow-fever vaccination only if arriving from or transiting through endemic countries in Africa or South America

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Japanese Encephalitis for rural travel beyond Medan
  • Routine MMR, DPT, and influenza

Health Insurance

Not mandatory for entry. But hospitals demand cash deposits before treatment. Mid-range coverage simplifies emergencies.

Current Health Requirements: As of June 2024, Indonesia lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions. Masks optional but encouraged in crowded indoor areas.

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Read our complete Medan Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Official immigration website
molina.imigrasi.go.id for eVOA applications and official policies
Emergency
Emergency services number
Dial 112 from any phone for police, ambulance, or fire in Medan

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Indonesian minors need birth certificate and parental consent letter if traveling with only one parent. Foreign children require passport and return ticket.

Traveling with Pets

Cats and dogs need an import permit from Directorate General of Livestock, rabies vaccination within 30 days, and 14-day quarantine at Jakarta before release to Medan.

Extended Stays

Convert a 30-day eVOA to a 60-day single-entry visa onshore at Medan immigration office for IDR 500000 before expiry, or apply for a social-cultural visa for 180-day stays.

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