A giant globe, a barrage of lasers and a stadium filled with tens of thousands of fans set the scene as Ye brought his Ye Live show to Jakarta. The American rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, delivered a performance spanning his extensive catalogue, turning Gelora Bung Karno Stadium into a major live music spectacle.
The concert also highlights a practical consideration for international events in Indonesia: which visa do foreign artists, their supporting crew and overseas fans need?
The answer depends on the purpose of the visit. An artist performing on stage has different immigration requirements from a tour manager or lighting technician supporting the show. Meanwhile, an international visitor travelling to Jakarta simply to attend the concert may be eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), subject to their nationality and the applicable entry requirements.
C7A Artist Visa: For International Artists & Music Performers
Foreign artists travelling to Indonesia to perform at concerts, festivals or other music events need to consider the C7A Music Performance Visa.
This visa is intended for international music performers whose activities in Indonesia include appearing on stage at a scheduled event. Depending on the circumstances and applicable conditions, this may cover singers, musicians, bands and other music artists.
The C7A visa is distinct from a tourist visa because the visitor’s primary purpose is to perform, rather than simply to attend an event.
Key points about the C7A visa
- Purpose: Music performances and related permitted activities in Indonesia.
- Eligible applicants: Foreign music artists and performers.
- Tourism: Tourism may be permitted within the visa’s conditions.
- Sponsorship and documentation: The application may require supporting documents from an Indonesian event organiser or authorised sponsor.
- Validity and extension: These depend on the current visa conditions and should be confirmed before application.
Artists should ensure that their visa covers their actual activities, event dates and arrangements with the organiser. They should not assume that a visa issued for tourism automatically authorises a commercial performance.
Important: Artists planning additional shows, promotional appearances, live broadcasts or other activities beyond the scheduled performance should confirm whether their visa permits those activities. A performance visa should not be assumed to authorise every form of commercial or media work.
C7B Crew Visa: For Concert Crew and Supporting Personnel
A concert involves far more people than those performing on stage. Tour managers, stage technicians, lighting and sound engineers, equipment specialists and other supporting personnel may also travel internationally to deliver a show.
For foreign personnel supporting music performances in Indonesia, the C7B Music Performance Crew Visa is the relevant category to consider.
The C7B visa is intended for supporting personnel whose activities relate to the music performance. It is not interchangeable with the artist visa, as the applicant’s role and responsibilities determine which category may apply.
Who may need a C7B visa?
Depending on their duties and the applicable requirements, supporting personnel may include:
- Tour managers and artist managers
- Stage and production crew
- Sound and lighting technicians
- Equipment and technical support personnel
- Other staff directly involved in delivering the concert
Key points about the C7B visa
- Purpose: Supporting foreign music performers and their events in Indonesia.
- Eligible applicants: Foreign crew and supporting personnel whose duties fall within the permitted activities.
- Tourism: Tourism may be permitted within the visa’s conditions.
- Sponsorship and documentation: Supporting documents from the relevant Indonesian organiser or sponsor may be required.
- Validity and extension: Applicants should confirm the current conditions before travelling.
Crew members should apply according to their actual roles rather than assuming that the artist’s visa covers the entire touring team. Event organisers should also check that the documentation reflects the responsibilities of each international team member.
Visa on Arrival (VoA): For International Concertgoers
For eligible foreign nationals travelling to Jakarta to watch a concert, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) may be an option.
Unlike the C7A and C7B categories, the VoA is intended for permitted visitor activities rather than performing or working as part of a concert production.
Under the standard VoA arrangement, eligible visitors may stay in Indonesia for an initial period of 30 days and apply for one extension of up to another 30 days, subject to the applicable requirements.
What can concertgoers do with a VoA?
Eligible visitors may use the VoA for permitted activities such as:
- Attending a concert as a spectator
- Visiting tourist attractions in Jakarta and other Indonesian destinations
- Exploring local restaurants, shopping areas and cultural sites
- Visiting friends or family, where permitted under the applicable conditions
However, attending a concert is different from participating in its commercial operations. A VoA should not be used to perform on stage, work as a member of the production crew, sell merchandise or undertake promotional activities that are outside its permitted scope.
Eligibility also depends on nationality and current immigration rules. Travellers should check whether they qualify for a VoA or electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) before booking their trip.
C7A vs C7B vs VoA: Which Indonesian Visa Do You Need?
The following comparison provides a general guide to the three visa categories discussed in this article.
| Visa category | Intended visitor | Main purpose | Key consideration |
| C7A | Music artists and performers | Performing at music events | The visa must cover the planned performance and related permitted activities. |
| C7B | Concert crew and supporting personnel | Supporting music performers and concert production | The applicant’s duties must fall within the visa’s permitted scope. |
| VoA | Eligible international visitors | Tourism and other permitted visitor activities | Suitable for spectators, not for performing or undertaking unauthorised commercial work. |
The correct category depends on what the visitor intends to do in Indonesia, not simply whether their trip is connected to a concert.
What Should Foreign Visitors Prepare Before Travelling to Indonesia?
Whether travelling as an artist, crew member or audience member, international visitors should review their immigration requirements before departure.
Consider the following checklist:
- Check your visa category. Identify whether the trip involves a performance, concert support duties or attendance as a spectator.
- Review your passport validity. Ensure that your travel document meets Indonesia’s current entry requirements.
- Prepare supporting documentation. Artists and crew may need event contracts, sponsorship documents or other supporting materials. Visitors should also prepare any documents required for their chosen visa.
- Confirm your permitted activities. Do not assume that a visa for tourism allows you to perform, work behind the scenes, sell products or promote commercial services.
- Check your permitted stay. Confirm the duration of your stay and whether an extension is available under the specific visa conditions.
- Apply through the appropriate channel. Use Indonesia’s official immigration system or the relevant authorised process, and check the latest requirements before submitting an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do foreign artists need a work permit or Entertainment Artist KITAS to perform legally in Indonesia?
Foreign artists performing in Indonesia must hold the appropriate immigration authorisation for their activities. Depending on the nature and duration of the performance, the applicable visa or stay permit requirements may differ. An Entertainment Artist KITAS may be relevant for certain engagements, while other performances may fall under a specific Visit Visa category. Applicants should check the latest regulations issued by the Directorate General of Immigration and confirm whether additional work authorisation is required before performing legally in Indonesia, including at events in Bali.
Can I use a Business Visa to work in Indonesia or support a concert?
A Business Visa is not a general work permit. Whether it is appropriate depends on the activities undertaken in Indonesia. Foreign professionals involved in concert planning, negotiations or other permitted business activities must ensure their activities fall within the visa’s scope. Performing on stage or undertaking hands-on production work may require a different immigration category or additional authorisation. Before travelling, applicants should review the relevant regulation, visa index and permitted activities with Indonesian immigration authorities or a qualified immigration consultant.
Which Tourist Visa category should concertgoers use to stay for 60 days?
Foreign nationals travelling to Indonesia solely to attend a concert may be eligible for a Visa on Arrival or another appropriate Visit Visa category, depending on their nationality and the applicable entry requirements. A standard Visa on Arrival generally allows an initial stay of 30 days and may be extended once for another 30 days, potentially allowing a total stay of 60 days. However, not every Visit Visa has the same length of stay or is extendable. Some visas are single-entry, and visitors must follow the conditions of their specific visa, including any requirements relating to departure or exit from Indonesia. Concertgoers should confirm the latest rules before travelling, particularly if they plan to visit Bali or other destinations during their stay.
Need Help With Your Indonesia Visa?
Major concerts such as Ye Live demonstrate how international entertainment events bring artists, production teams and audiences into Indonesia. However, the visa requirements differ according to each visitor’s purpose and activities.
Artists should consider the C7A visa, supporting personnel should review the C7B category, and eligible spectators may be able to enter using a Visa on Arrival. The appropriate option depends on the current immigration rules, the applicant’s nationality and the activities planned during the visit.
For assistance with visa selection, documentation and Indonesian immigration requirements, Lets Move Indonesia provides immigration consultation and visa support for foreign nationals planning to enter Indonesia.
