Are you an Indonesian citizen who wants to return to Indonesia from abroad? How to return to Indonesia during the pandemic? Quarantine procedures? How much will it cost? Read my experience!
Conditions for entering Indonesia from abroad
The procedures and conditions for entering Indonesia from abroad for both Indonesian citizens and foreigners have been clearly explained on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Complete with a list of cities/airports that accept arrivals from abroad and also a list of quarantine hotels.
However, the quarantine procedure in each city is different. If you land in Jakarta, then you must quarantine for 5 days.
Meanwhile, when I passed Batam, all I needed to do was 1 day quarantine to wait for the PCR test results.
In short, the protocol to go through is as follows:
- Perform PCR Test within 72 hours before departure. Of course the result must be negative in order to travel.
- Filling Indonesian e-HAC. It can be through the application or in the form of paper provided.
- Doing PCR again when you arrive in Indonesia. Free for students and government employees.
- Do quarantine. The quarantine period for each city is different and it is mandatory to quarantine at the hotels listed.
- Back homeif the test result is negative.
List of airports that accept travel from abroad
The following is a list of airports or cities that accept travel from overseas:
- Jakarta – Soekarno-Hatta
- Surabaya – Juanda
- Bali – I Gusti Ngurah Rai
- Medan- Kualanamu
- Batam – Hang Nadim
- Manado – Sam Ratulangi
- Makassar – Hasanuddin
- Yogyakarta – Yogyakarta
Also read: Tips for renting an apartment in Singapore, important!
The reason why I have to go back to Indonesia
The story is that I have lived in Singapore for almost a year, especially if it weren’t for Covid-19 pandemic.
Incidentally, my partner works in Singapore, so instead of an LDR, I’d rather stay in Singapore too.
Fortunately the Singapore government is understanding. Even though I’m just tourists who use social visit pass with a validity period of 1 month, due to the pandemic situation it may be extended.
So, that’s why I can stay in Singapore for up to 1 year.
In the end the rules changed, and I can no longer extend visit pass I finally had to go back to Indonesia.
I was also looking for the best way to return to Indonesia from Singapore.
Finally I choose to go through Batambecause in terms of cheaper costs, quarantine is only for 1 day (if the test results are negative), and it is also closer to my hometown, Pekanbaru.
Also read: How much is the cost of living or expenses per month in Singapore?
Preparation before returning to Indonesia from Singapore
Actually it was quite sudden, when my extension was rejected online, I only had 1 week to leave Singapore.
I went straight to the immigration office located in Bugis to try to extend it offline.
You still have to accept the harsh reality of leaving Singapore, but luckily you’re given 1 more week, so a total of 2 weeks
I had to ask, the reason why can’t it be extended again, why? I’ve also tried ngeles for various reasons, I don’t want to go back to Indo.
From not wanting to be away from your partner, in Indonesia the conditions are also safe. The officer said that he had been given instructions from the center, that he would stop providing extensions for visitors who had been in Singapore for a long time.
Well, at least there’s enough time to look for info and make preparations.
Also read: Applying for a Singapore Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) is Easy!
Here are the things I prepared or how to return to Indonesia from Singapore via Batam:
1. Buy a ticket for a ship to Batam
During the pandemic there are only a few ship schedules that serve Tanah Merah (Singapore) – Batam Center (Batam) route with a ticket price of SGD 25, travel time of 40 minutes:
I chose Batam Fast because it was easy to book via the online site. Later you will get an e-ticket, then after arriving at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, you must exchange your ticket at the counter again.
2. Doing PCR test in Singapore
One of the important requirements that must be met to return to Indonesia from abroad is perform a PCR test within 72 hours.
In Singapore there are many clinics that provide PCR tests, you can find the nearest clinic on this list.
The cost to perform a PCR test in Singapore is SGD 170.
you can make reservation first, then also bring your passport and departure ticket. The test results will be out the next day and sent to e-mail.
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3. Packing and leave
Luckily I didn’t have a lot of stuff, so the packing took a while. Some are even entrusted to the family in Indonesia haha.
Don’t miss your passport, keep the PCR test results printed too.
Yesterday I just showed it through my cellphone when I exchanged tickets at the Batam Fast counter, it said it had to be printed. They’re nice to help with printing, right?
4. Filling e-Hac
From the Batam Fast counter, I was given a health card to fill out. So not through the application. When you arrive at the Batam Center, you must provide the paper form.
Also read: 30+ interesting tourist attractions in Singapore, a must go!
Quarantine experience at the hotel for 1 day!
The boat trip from Tanah Merah to Batam Center went smoothly.
When you arrive at the Batam Center port, you will be directed directly to officers for document inspection and explanations about quarantine procedures.
There are 2 quarantine options to choose from, namely:
- Free PCR test + free lodging funded by the government. It’s just that it can take about 3-5 days.
- PCR test + self-paid / independent lodging. Only 1 day.
I choose to pay it myself so it’s fast, for the cost:
- PCR test fee at port: IDR 900,000
- Hotel quarantine fee: IDR 300,000 – 650,000 (depending on the hotel on the list)
I choose Harris Hotel Batam Center at a cost of Rp. 650,000 including 3x meals.
The hotel will pick you up, after check-in the hotel must be quarantined. Getting food is pretty good too.
After arriving at the hotel I also immediately booking flight tickets to Pekanbaru for the flight the next day at 1 pm. The ticket price can be IDR 511,000.
In my room I just relax, while taking care of work, just on my laptop all day.
The next day around 11 o’clock the test results were sent to the hotel and NEGATIVE!
I happened to have a friend in Batam and he was kind enough to take me to the airport.
The results of the PCR test can be used for flights, so there is no need to carry out other tests.
Also read: Want to know how much is the salary of a Singapore Airlines flight attendant?
Total cost of the return trip to Indonesia from Singapore
I summarize again the costs I incur to return to Indonesia including quarantine etc. are:
- PCR test in Singapore: SGD 170
- Ship from Singapore – Batam: SGD 25
- PCR in Batam: IDR 900,000
- Hotel quarantine: IDR 650,000
- Flight to Pekanbaru: IDR 511,000
The total cost of returning to Indonesia from Singapore during the pandemic was around IDR 4.2 million.
Closing
Well, hopefully the explanation above can give you an idea about How to return to Indonesia from Singapore via Batam. What are the requirements, quarantine procedures, and expenses. Stay healthy!
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