indonesia photo requirements 2026

The Red Background Rule

Let's address it upfront: Indonesia requires a red background for passport photos. Not white, not blue, not grey — red. This makes Indonesia one of only a handful of countries worldwide with a colored background requirement. If you're an Indonesian citizen getting your photo taken abroad, you absolutely must tell the photographer about this, because they'll default to white every time.

The Directorate General of Immigration (Dirjen Imigrasi) sets the specs: 35×45mm on a red background. Your face should be clearly visible, expression neutral, and — importantly for the large Muslim population — women wearing hijab must have the full face exposed from chin to forehead with no fabric crossing the face. The hijab itself should contrast against the red background (white or light-colored headscarves work best).

The M-Paspor App Changed Everything

Gone are the days of camping out at the Kantor Imigrasi before dawn. Indonesia now requires you to book appointments through the M-Paspor mobile app — no appointment, no service. The app is available on both Android and iOS. Here's where you'll actually go:

• Kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Selatan — Jl. Warung Buncit Raya No. 207, Jakarta. One of the busiest offices.
• Kantor Imigrasi Surabaya — Jl. Jenderal S. Parman No. 58A, Surabaya. Main office for East Java.
• Kantor Imigrasi Denpasar — Jl. D.I. Panjaitan, Renon, Bali. Handles the large expat and tourist community in Bali.
• KBRI Washington DC — 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
• KJRI Los Angeles — 3457 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Photo Mistakes Indonesian Applicants Make

1. White background instead of red — This is the #1 error, especially for Indonesians living overseas. International photo studios simply don't stock red backdrops. Use our tool to convert your background to the correct shade of red.
2. Hijab blending with the red background — Dark-colored hijabs can merge visually with the red backdrop. Light-colored headscarves create better contrast.
3. Photo taken at the wrong angle — The camera should be at eye level, not looking down (which makes the forehead appear larger) or up (which emphasizes the chin).
4. Accessories obstructing the face — Large earrings, nose piercings, or thick-framed glasses that cover the eyebrow area. Keep it minimal.
5. Smiling too broadly — A closed-mouth expression is required. Not a frown — just relaxed and natural, with lips together.

Cost and Processing Time

A regular 48-page Indonesian passport (Paspor Biasa) costs IDR 350,000 (~$22 USD). The electronic passport (ePaspor) runs IDR 650,000 (~$42 USD) and has a 10-year validity. Standard processing is 3-14 working days depending on the office location. The ePaspor is recommended for frequent travelers since it enables e-gate access at airports in many countries.

Official Resources

• Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi
• M-Paspor App (Google Play)