Effortlessly Enter Jakarta Airport with Self-Service Immigration, Avoiding Small Fees

Flying from Guangzhou to Jakarta, I touched down at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the bright and early hour of 6:30 AM. After a smooth one-hour entry process, it was just a quick half-hour journey to reach my cozy PIK home [flying kiss R]. In just a week, my esteemed lawyer friends from China will be arriving to explore the foreign-related legal service market in Indonesia! Little Yoyo is excited to share this handy guide with you all [sly smile R].

First up, let’s dive into the world of duty-free shopping. Not every terminal boasts these treasure troves, but T3 certainly does, as you can see in Figure 2. If you’re on the hunt for cigarettes, this is your spot! It’s a popular stop for many Chinese expats who make it a point to stock up every time they enter the country [disappointed R].

Official guide starts [cute R]
1. **Visa on Arrival in Indonesia** [right arrow] While the visa on arrival is a convenient option, be prepared for long queues, especially during peak flight times. Even at the crack of dawn, Jakarta airport buzzed with activity, and the visa on arrival window had a lengthy line.

I opted for an e-visa, which I secured 4 working days in advance for 258 RMB, making the entire process a breeze!
2. **Self-Service Immigration** [right arrow] Once you step off the plane, follow the flow of people. If you notice a crowd at the visa on arrival area, keep moving forward. Look for the self-service immigration machines with green lights, as shown in Figure 3.

Place the first page of your passport on the scanning area for about ten seconds, then remove it. Follow the prompts to face the camera, and after a few moments, the barrier will automatically open. (If you encounter any issues, head to the manual counter, but be cautious of unofficial requests for tips.

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3. **Pre-Scan Customs Declaration** [right arrow] You can scan the official QR code in Figure 3 and complete the electronic customs declaration for entering Indonesia up to 3 days in advance. Save the screenshot on your phone. After passing through the self-service, walk a short distance to the declaration area, scan the QR code, and when you hear a beep, you’re good to go!

Welcome to Indonesia [party R][party R]
Although the Indonesian customs authority has set up self-service channels, many foreigners still face challenges, often getting held up at this stage. It’s not uncommon for some to be asked for a tip to proceed. For instance, the girl in front of me was asked for 100,000 rupiah (about 45 RMB) [please be civilized R][please be friendly R]