Do I need a permit or special visa to film in Indonesia?
Anyone filming in Indonesia requires a journalist visa, issued upon approval of a film permit.
In Indonesia, the process and terminology is the same across all formats and genres. Filming for news requires a journalist visa, based on a film permit. Filming scripted content requires a journalist visa, based on a film permit.
With 25 years supporting international productions in Indonesia, Jungle Run Productions is here to help you secure national permits and visas and all other required permissions.
How long does it take to get a film permit for Indonesia?
Typical processing time for a film permit and visas is six weeks. For projects that require supporting documentation or more rigorous access negotiations, more lead time may be required, but Jungle Run has an unrivalled track record at getting projects over the line.
Note that Indonesian holidays can impact processing times, particularly those that defer permit review meetings scheduled each Thursday.
Grab a copy of our holiday calendar, and plan on submitting your application package with greater lead time in advance of holiday periods.
Do I need a fixer to film in Indonesia?
Short answer: Yes.
Better answer: We here at Jungle Run fix things before they break. It’s called location management.
The legal answer: As of 2021, Indonesian law requires that foreign producers work under the umbrella of a locally registered company, specifically one in good standing with the Film Development Center (now under the new Ministry of Creative Economy) for the provision of production services.
Jungle Run Licenses
PT Media Nusantara Film
(dba Jungle Run Productions)
0049/TDUP.Pusbangfilm/05/2017
0042/IUP.Pusbangfilm/05/2017
Why choose Jungle Run as my film permit and visa sponsor?
Experience
Founded in 1994, Jungle Run boasts 30 years of community, government and industry vetting.
Comms
We speak English, natively. We speak Indonesian, natively and bilingually. We speak government, with legal training and deep contacts. We speak local, tapping know-how across our vast archipelago. And we speak tech.
Trust
We pick up where many fixers fail. Sometimes this starts weeks or months down the line of permit negotiations, via personal referral from Indonesia’s Film Development Center.
Track Record
We’re known for more than a hundred international film and broadcast television projects — from bare-bones to blue-chip productions that demand years of far-flung fieldwork.
What services does Jungle Run provide?
At a minimum, our services include:
- walking you through the permit application process
- providing a letter of support from a well-trusted production sponsor
- championing your project upon inter-ministerial review
- fulfilling any requirements for supporting documentation (for some projects this is a special challenge at which we excel)
- serving as your visa guarantor, and filing paperwork to issue visas
- securing police travel documents, local permits, drone flight permits and conservation area permits (as required)
- escorting crew with at least one experienced, bilingual Jungle Run coordinator
For Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Zero Point Zero recruited Jungle Run early on to cultivate interview opportunities and flesh out story angles.
Beyond that, we invite you to tap us for other needs, including:
Many of our international partners leverage our experience as full-fledged producers or production managers for Indonesia.
For Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, Jungle Run supported 35 foreign crew over 4 days filming inside a steaming volcano. Logistics included 100 helicopter sorties, 200 porters, remote catering, bespoke porta-potties, a radio repeater network and housing for a caldera-rim data center sucking up 32 gigabytes per second. Plus hazmat kit for the clouds of sulfuric acid. The team that filmed the NASA rockets for ‘Postcard’ said our shoot sounded like… “rocket science”.
How do I apply for an Indonesian film permit and journalist visa?
As a foreign producer, backed by a trusted Indonesian sponsor (that’s us!), you’ll submit an application via your nearest Embassy or Honorary Consular Office of the Republic of Indonesia.
As your sponsor, we’ll provide guidance, review your application, provide you a support letter, then coordinate with the Film Development Center here in Indonesia to expedite approval for your project.
Once your film permit is issued, we submit that and other documents to issue your journalist visas, then forward the visas direct to you, via email. Thanks to the recent implementation of e-visas, there’s no longer any need to submit passports at embassies. Big plus for peripatetic film crews!
What documents do I need for my film permit application?
A film permit application package includes:
- Production company letter endorsing your project and intent to film in Indonesia, with reference to Jungle Run as your local partner. The letter should be on company letterhead, addressed to the Ambassador or Consul and signed by the head of production (digital signature OK).
- Synopsis of the film or television show, with focus on the sequences you plan to film in Indonesia
- Sponsor letter from Jungle Run Productions (we provide upon review of your letter and synopsis)
- Tentative shoot schedule, including locations (list more locations than needed, if unsure)
- Personal History form for each crew and cast member (include backup personnel, if possibly needed)
- Personal History form for Jungle Run's location manager (we provide)
- Passport photos for each crew and cast member, one attached to Personal History form + 2 additional
- Photocopy of front page of passport for each crew and cast member
- List of equipment (note that drones are prohibited; we can provide)
- Flight reservations (provisional)
- Signed form that you will abide by national and local laws, regulations and customs and provide a copy of your completed film to government
Possible additional requirements include:
- Drone docs: Pilot ID, Pilot UAV License, UAV Registration (must be Indonesian citizen and Indonesia-registered drone; we provide this)
- Support letters from principal interview subjects (if requested at Consulate, we may lobby to waive or defer for later consideration)
Possible issues / areas of confusion:
- Most Embassies/Consulates can receive submissions via email, but any printed submissions should be single-sided
- Vaccine and PCR test documents are not now required
- Drone flight permits and conservation area permits, if needed, follow issuance of the national film permit
Walk me through the permitting process, step-by-step
Where do I get an Indonesian film permit application?
Via your closest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. Most maintain websites, where instructions and documents for “Journalist Visas” are often found under “Visas” or “Consular Services”.
That said, some Embassy/Consulate websites are more comprehensive and up-to-date than others. Some only provide only document checklists, without forms. If that’s the case, download forms provided here and ask your Consulate contact if these will be accepted.
Film Permit / Journalist Visa Pages at select Embassies and Consulates
What documents are required for filming visas in Indonesia?
Once your film permit is approved, we’ll request from you:
- Digital passport photo for each crew member
- Passport scan for each crew and cast member (valid for 6 months upon entry)
- Round-trip ticket scan for each crew member
How long a stay is granted with a journalist visa for filming?
Journalist visas may be single-entry or multiple-entry.
Single-entry visas are available in two options: 60 days and 180 days.
Multiple- entry visas are available for one year, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years, but each stay is limited to 60 days.
Once a journalist visa is issued, crew members must enter Indonesia within 90 days to avoid cancellation.
Are permits needed to film in Bali, Borneo or Papua?
As a young country — just pushing 80 — Indonesia is home to locations more famous than the nation itself. And the vast islands of Borneo and New Guinea are shared by Indonesia and neighboring countries, adding to confusion.
Indeed, with 18,000 islands and counting, spanning one eighth of the world’s circumference, Indonesia is diverse in every sense of the world. Thirty years in, we at Jungle Run still feel we’re just barely scratching the surface.
Following issuance of your national permits for filming in Indonesia, we’ll secure all additional permissions — police travel letters, drone flight permits, park permits, regional permits, local permits and special permissions for any cultural, private or commercial locations.
Are permits required to film in Indonesia's national parks?
Filming in conservation areas in Indonesia requires a special use permit approved at each location upon basis of the national film permit.
Filming highlights in Indonesian conservation areas
Komodo National Park
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
Teluk Cenderawasih National Park
Tanjung Puting National Park
Siberut National Park
Way Kambas National Park
Gunung Leuser National Park
Ujung Kulon National Park
Lorentz National Park
Does Indonesia accept ATA Carnets?
Indonesia implemented the ATA Carnet system in 2019 and this is the recommended protocol for the temporary import of film equipment.
Tips for smooth processing:
- DON’T list or bring drones (prohibited; we can provide)
- DO bring equipment as accompanied baggage; DON’T send shipments.
- DO prepare a carnet that documents your full set of kit; Indonesia does not accept “partial” Carnets.
- DO list equipment by case number on your Carnet, simplifying spot checks. Typically that’s all that’s required.
- DON’T mix Carnet and non-Carnet items in the same case.
- DO send us a scan of your full Carnet before departure. We’ll share this with our Customs escort in advance, expediting your crew’s arrival.
Keep in mind, we’re happy to save you baggage expense and hassle with local rentals of batteries, heavy equipment or most anything you need.
What are drone regulations in Indonesia?
All drones flown in Indonesia must be registered with the Ministry of Transporation, and all operators must be Indonesian citizens holding Indonesian Remote Pilot Certificates.
Jungle Run works with talented bilingual drone pilots well-accustomed to meeting the needs of international crews.
If you anticipate needing drone footage, we’ll align you with the right drone(s) and operators(s) before submitting your film permit application package. Many embassies now require the pilot’s ID, drone license and drone registration to be filed along with the application.
Below is a list of in-house drones at Jungle Run. Heavy lifts and FPV drones (from tiny whoops to long-range) with experienced operators are availaible upon request.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo
- Dual cameras: Wide-angle Hasselblad + Tele
- 24mm and 166mm equivalent lenses
- 24mm lens allows variable aperture (f2.8 to f11)
- 5.1K 50p High Gamma, DCI 4K 120p, 10-bit D-Log
- 12-bit RAW 20MP photos covering up to 12.8 stops dynamic range
- Codecs: Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, H264/H265
- 1TB internal SSD
- DJI RC Pro High Bright Display
- DJI O3+ video transmission, 1080p 60fps, up to 15km line of sight
- Autonomous Flight following custom waypoints
- ActiveTrack 5.0
- Hyperlapse Mode
- Max 43 minutes flight time per battery
- 6 batteries
- 899g
DJI Mavic 3 Cine Filters
- DJI ND filter set (ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32)
- DJI ND-CPL filter set (ND4, ND8, ND16, ND32)
- SunnyLife VariND/CPL Filter
DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo
- Tiny folding drone for with impressive camera, battery and firmware specs
- Under 250g — safer over crowded spaces
- Packs away in a tiny bag, complete with controller and 3 batteries
- DJI RC 2 Controller with 5.5″ 1080p 700 nit display
- 3 high-capacity batteries, nearly 45 min flight time each
- Omni-directional obstacle avoidance
- 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles
- Resolution at up to 4K100
- Data Rate: 150MPS
- Vertical filming option by rotating camera
- ActiveTrack 360
- Included: Controller Lanyard, Protective Cover/Sunhood, Landing Pad
DJI Mini 4 Pro Filters
- CPL, ND8/PL, ND16PL, ND32, ND64/PL, ND256PL
