September 22, 2026 · Easy Arrival Online
Indonesia Digital Arrival Card (IDAC): The Complete 2026 Guide
What Is the Indonesia Digital Arrival Card (IDAC)?
The Indonesia Digital Arrival Card, or IDAC, is Indonesia's official electronic entry declaration. It replaces the old paper arrival and customs cards that travelers used to fill out on the plane or at the airport. Since its rollout, every traveler entering Indonesia, including Bali, is required to submit this declaration digitally, either before departure or shortly before arrival.
The IDAC covers two things at once:
Immigration/arrival details: your passport information, flight details, and accommodation in Indonesia
Customs declaration: whether you're bringing in goods, currency, or items that need to be declared
It is not a visa. It doesn't grant you permission to enter Indonesia, it's a declaration you submit in addition to whatever visa or visa-exempt status you're traveling under.
Do You Need an IDAC?
Yes, almost all travelers entering Indonesia need to complete an IDAC, regardless of nationality or visa type. This includes:
Visa-exempt travelers (many nationalities can stay up to 30 days without a visa)
Visa-on-arrival travelers
Travelers with a pre-approved eVisa
Indonesian residents and citizens returning from abroad, in most cases
If you're unsure whether the IDAC applies to your specific situation, or how it interacts with a visa you already hold, see our IDAC vs Indonesia eVisa guide for the distinction, a lot of travelers mix these two up.
When Should You Submit Your IDAC?
This is where a lot of travelers get tripped up. The IDAC is time-sensitive:
It can typically be submitted starting 3 days before your arrival date
It cannot be submitted too far in advance, submitting it a week or two early usually isn't accepted
It must be completed before you go through immigration on arrival
If you're traveling on short notice, this timing matters even more. We cover exactly what to do in our same-day IDAC processing guide.
What Information You'll Need
Before you start, have these ready:
Passport: full name as printed, passport number, nationality, expiry date
Flight details: arrival flight number and date
Accommodation address in Indonesia (hotel, villa, or host address)
Contact information: email and phone number
Customs declaration details: if you're carrying goods, currency over the threshold, or restricted items
Having all of this on hand before you start the form is the single biggest thing that speeds up the process and avoids errors.
How to Fill Out the IDAC: Step by Step
Access the official IDAC submission portal (or use an assistance service if you'd rather not navigate it yourself)
Enter your passport and personal information exactly as it appears on your passport
Enter your flight and arrival details
Enter your accommodation address in Indonesia
Complete the customs declaration section honestly and completely
Review all fields before submitting, small typos (especially in passport numbers or names) are one of the top rejection reasons
Submit and save your confirmation, you'll typically get a QR code to present on arrival.
Common Mistakes That Get IDAC Applications Rejected
The most frequent errors we see:
Submitting more than 3 days before arrival
Passport name mismatches (nicknames, missing middle names, typos)
Wrong or incomplete accommodation address
Incorrect flight number or date
Leaving the customs section incomplete
We go deeper into each of these and how to fix them before they become a problem in 7 Common IDAC Mistakes.
Applying Yourself vs. Using an Assistance Service
You can complete the IDAC yourself directly through the official channel at no service cost. Many travelers do. That said, an assistance service can be worth it if:
You're short on time before departure
You're not confident navigating a government portal, especially not in English
You're applying for a family or group and want everything checked before submission
You want a human to catch errors before they cause a rejection at the airport
If you're weighing this decision, our guide on the easiest way to apply for your Indonesia Arrival Card walks through both paths honestly.
IDAC for Families and Groups
If you're traveling with children, a partner, or a larger group, each traveler typically needs their own IDAC submission, you can't usually bundle multiple passports under one form. See our dedicated family and group IDAC guide for how to organize this so you're not doing it one by one at the last minute.
Traveling to Bali Specifically?
Bali is Indonesia's most visited destination, and the IDAC requirement applies the same way whether you're landing in Denpasar or anywhere else in the country. If you're planning a Bali trip, check our Bali Travel Checklist 2026 for the full list of what to prepare beyond just the arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IDAC free?
The official government submission has no fee. Assistance services may charge a service fee for helping you complete it.
How long is the IDAC valid for?
It's tied to your specific arrival date and flight — it's not reusable for a different trip.
What happens if I make a mistake after submitting?
Depending on the error, you may need to resubmit. This is why double-checking before submission matters, see our mistakes guide above.
Do I need the IDAC if I already have an eVisa?
Yes. The eVisa and the IDAC serve different purposes, see IDAC vs Indonesia eVisa for the full breakdown.
Can I submit the IDAC from my phone?
Yes, the portal is mobile-friendly and most travelers complete it from their phone shortly before their flight.ndonesia Digital Arrival Card (IDAC): The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know before you fly: what the IDAC is, who needs it, how to apply, and how to avoid the mistakes that get applications rejected.
What Is the Indonesia Digital Arrival Card (IDAC)?
The Indonesia Digital Arrival Card, or IDAC, is Indonesia's official electronic entry declaration. It replaces the old paper arrival and customs cards that travelers used to fill out on the plane or at the airport. Since its rollout, every traveler entering Indonesia, including Bali, is required to submit this declaration digitally, either before departure or shortly before arrival.
The IDAC covers two things at once:
Immigration/arrival details: your passport information, flight details, and accommodation in Indonesia
Customs declaration: whether you're bringing in goods, currency, or items that need to be declared
It is not a visa. It doesn't grant you permission to enter Indonesia, it's a declaration you submit in addition to whatever visa or visa-exempt status you're traveling under.
Do You Need an IDAC?
Yes, almost all travelers entering Indonesia need to complete an IDAC, regardless of nationality or visa type. This includes:
Visa-exempt travelers (many nationalities can stay up to 30 days without a visa)
Visa-on-arrival travelers
Travelers with a pre-approved eVisa
Indonesian residents and citizens returning from abroad, in most cases
If you're unsure whether the IDAC applies to your specific situation, or how it interacts with a visa you already hold, see our IDAC vs Indonesia eVisa guide for the distinction, a lot of travelers mix these two up.
When Should You Submit Your IDAC?
This is where a lot of travelers get tripped up. The IDAC is time-sensitive:
It can typically be submitted starting 3 days before your arrival date
It cannot be submitted too far in advance, submitting it a week or two early usually isn't accepted
It must be completed before you go through immigration on arrival
If you're traveling on short notice, this timing matters even more. We cover exactly what to do in our same-day IDAC processing guide.
What Information You'll Need
Before you start, have these ready:
Passport: full name as printed, passport number, nationality, expiry date
Flight details: arrival flight number and date
Accommodation address in Indonesia (hotel, villa, or host address)
Contact information: email and phone number
Customs declaration details: if you're carrying goods, currency over the threshold, or restricted items
Having all of this on hand before you start the form is the single biggest thing that speeds up the process and avoids errors.
How to Fill Out the IDAC: Step by Step
Access the official IDAC submission portal (or use an assistance service if you'd rather not navigate it yourself)
Enter your passport and personal information exactly as it appears on your passport
Enter your flight and arrival details
Enter your accommodation address in Indonesia
Complete the customs declaration section honestly and completely
Review all fields before submitting, small typos (especially in passport numbers or names) are one of the top rejection reasons
Submit and save your confirmation, you'll typically get a QR code to present on arrival
For a closer breakdown of each field and what trips people up, see our full How to Fill Out Your IDAC Correctly guide.
Common Mistakes That Get IDAC Applications Rejected
The most frequent errors we see:
Submitting more than 3 days before arrival
Passport name mismatches (nicknames, missing middle names, typos)
Wrong or incomplete accommodation address
Incorrect flight number or date
Leaving the customs section incomplete
We go deeper into each of these, and how to fix them before they become a problem in 7 Common IDAC Mistakes.
Applying Yourself vs. Using an Assistance Service
You can complete the IDAC yourself directly through the official channel at no service cost. Many travelers do. That said, an assistance service can be worth it if:
You're short on time before departure
You're not confident navigating a government portal, especially not in English
You're applying for a family or group and want everything checked before submission
You want a human to catch errors before they cause a rejection at the airport
If you're weighing this decision, our guide on the easiest way to apply for your Indonesia Arrival Card walks through both paths honestly.
IDAC for Families and Groups
If you're traveling with children, a partner, or a larger group, each traveler typically needs their own IDAC submission, you can't usually bundle multiple passports under one form. See our dedicated family and group IDAC guide for how to organize this so you're not doing it one by one at the last minute.
Traveling to Bali Specifically?
Bali is Indonesia's most visited destination, and the IDAC requirement applies the same way whether you're landing in Denpasar or anywhere else in the country. If you're planning a Bali trip, check our Bali Travel Checklist 2026 for the full list of what to prepare beyond just the arrival card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IDAC free?
The official government submission has no fee. Assistance services may charge a service fee for helping you complete it.
How long is the IDAC valid for?
It's tied to your specific arrival date and flight, it's not reusable for a different trip.
What happens if I make a mistake after submitting?
Depending on the error, you may need to resubmit. This is why double-checking before submission matters, see our mistakes guide above.
Do I need the IDAC if I already have an eVisa?
Yes. The eVisa and the IDAC serve different purposes, see IDAC vs Indonesia eVisa for the full breakdown.
Can I submit the IDAC from my phone?
Yes, the portal is mobile-friendly and most travelers complete it from their phone shortly before their flight.