What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Register an Indonesian Tourist eSIM?
Information checked on 7 November 2026. Requirements may change, so confirm the latest guidance with the relevant provider and Indonesian authorities before travelling.
Foreign visitors may be asked for identification and device information when they buy or register an Indonesian SIM or eSIM. That sounds like one process, but three different ones are often mixed together:
These are not the same, and completing one does not automatically complete the others. The rest of this guide explains each one and what to prepare.
What Documents Should Foreign Tourists Prepare?
Depending on the product, you may be asked for some or all of the following:
- A valid passport. Often as a photo or scan, and sometimes only the passport details.
- Your phone's IMEI number. Some providers ask for a screenshot or photo of it.
- A selfie holding your passport. Requested by some products, not all.
- Travel details. For example your arrival date, where the product counts validity from arrival.
- Purchase and activation information. Your order number, the eSIM QR code and installation instructions.
Not every provider or tourist package requires every item above. Treat this as a preparation list, then confirm the exact requirements on the product page you are buying from.
Is a Passport Enough to Register an Indonesian Tourist eSIM?
Sometimes, but it should not be assumed. A passport is the usual starting point for foreign visitors, but products differ in what else they ask for, and standard local prepaid eSIMs follow different rules from tourist-specific ones.
- Tourist packages are designed for international visitors and usually have a dedicated registration process.
- Standard local prepaid products may have different eligibility and documentation requirements, written mainly for residents.
- Requirements vary between operators and between individual products from the same operator.
Case study: Telkomsel's KITAS wording
Telkomsel's official eSIM page covers its general SIMPATI prepaid eSIM. It says prepaid eSIMs can be bought by domestic customers, validated by ID and Family Card, and by foreign citizens, validated by a Limited Stay Permit (KITAS), to get a new number. Its registration FAQ also says foreign nationals must provide a KITAS for data verification.
That is the wording for Telkomsel's general prepaid eSIM. It does not mean every Indonesian tourist eSIM requires a KITAS, and the page does not describe a tourist-specific package. Do not apply Telkomsel's standard prepaid rules to other providers. Instead, confirm whether the specific tourist eSIM you want accepts visitors who do not hold a KITAS.
How requirements differ between products
| Product | Who it is for | What the official page says |
|---|---|---|
| Telkomsel SIMPATI eSIM (general prepaid) | Domestic customers and foreign citizens with a KITAS | Foreign citizens are validated by KITAS to get a new number. Up to 3 eSIM numbers per ID. |
| XL eSIM Tourist | Foreign nationals holding a valid foreign passport | Bought online; customer data is registered from the details you enter. XL's page also covers IMEI activation and says purchases by foreign visitors are not refundable. |
| Tri Tourist Pass (physical SIM card) | Foreign tourists | Passport, KITAS or KITAP; a selfie holding the document; and an IMEI photo. The IMEI must be registered with the operator. This page concerns a physical SIM, not an eSIM. |
| BaliSIM Telkomsel Bali Visitor eSIM | Foreign nationals with a non-Indonesian passport | Registration uses an IMEI image and a passport photo. |
| BaliSIM XL Bali Visitor eSIM | Visitors to Bali | Registration uses an IMEI image, a selfie and a passport photo. |
BaliSIM details are from its product pages. Confirm the current requirements on the product page before you buy.
What Is IMEI Registration in Indonesia?
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number that identifies your phone as a device. It is not your passport number or a SIM registration number, and it stays with the phone if you change SIM cards.
Indonesia uses IMEI controls to manage which foreign devices can connect to local mobile networks. However, tourists do not all follow the same registration route.
Foreign visitors staying for up to 90 days can generally obtain temporary access through a participating Indonesian mobile operator. This is different from registering a device through Indonesian Customs, which applies to a separate customs procedure for devices brought into the country.
Visitors using international roaming with their home-country SIM generally do not need to register their IMEI through Customs.
How to find your IMEI
- Open the phone dialler on your iPhone or Android phone.
- Dial *#06#.
- The IMEI information should appear if your device supports it. Take a screenshot.
Dual-SIM phones may show more than one IMEI. Use the one for the phone's eSIM or the slot your provider asks for, and check the instructions if you are unsure.
Do Tourists Need to Register Their IMEI Before Using an Indonesian eSIM?
It depends on your length of stay and how you connect. The Indonesian customs office at Ngurah Rai Airport publishes guidance for travellers that separates the situations below. Indonesian media reports citing the customs directorate also say tourists who keep a foreign SIM and use international roaming do not need IMEI registration.
Short-term visitors (up to 90 days)
The customs page says foreign tourists staying in Indonesia for no more than 90 days can go to a mobile operator or provider to get a period of access to the Indonesian mobile network valid for 90 days. It describes this as temporary: after 90 days the local mobile network will no longer be usable on that phone.
This does not mean every tourist automatically qualifies. Eligibility and procedure are handled by the operator or provider, so ask which route a specific eSIM uses.
Longer stays and permanent registration
Customs IMEI Registration for Longer Stays. As published on the customs page, it is limited to 2 units per passenger, is done at the airport customs area or a nearby customs office, and cannot be done at a customs office more than 60 days after arrival. The page also lists taxes for permanent registration of 10% import duty, 11% VAT and 10% income tax (20% without a taxpayer number), and a USD 500 exemption for airport registrations completed with a QR code from the customs website.
If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or are moving to Indonesia, seek current guidance from the customs authority, which also provides an online route through its IMEI registration page.
IMEI Registration vs SIM/eSIM Registration vs Customs Procedures
| Process | What it means | Who handles it | Possible requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM/eSIM registration | Identity verification for a mobile service | Mobile operator or provider | Passport or other requested identity details; sometimes a selfie |
| IMEI registration | Registering a device identifier under Indonesian rules | Operator or provider for temporary tourist access; customs for permanent registration | IMEI and the required visitor and device information |
| Customs procedures | Declaring imported devices and handling applicable customs obligations | Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai) | Passport, device details, tickets and other declarations, depending on the route |
These procedures have different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable. Only treat a step as mandatory for you once an official source or your provider confirms it applies to your situation.
How to Prepare Before Travelling to Indonesia
Check requirements before you buy, not only after you land. Registration may need to be completed before the eSIM works, and it is easier to fix problems with a reliable internet connection.
How to Buy and Register a Tourist eSIM for Bali
- Choose a tourist eSIM product that suits your trip.
- Read its eligibility and document requirements before paying.
- Complete the provider's registration or verification.
- Install the eSIM by following the provider's instructions. If the QR code fails, see BaliSIM's eSIM installation guide.
- Activate it as the product describes. Validity rules differ by product.
- Contact the provider if registration or activation fails. BaliSIM has an eSIM troubleshooting guide.
BaliSIM is one option for travellers looking for an Indonesian tourist eSIM. According to its product pages, registration uses a passport photo and an IMEI image, and its XL eSIM also asks for a selfie. Telkomsel Bali Visitor is limited to foreign passport holders, each eSIM is linked to one device, and one passport can register up to three eSIMs. BaliSIM's pages are written for visitors, so they do not describe a KITAS requirement. Always check the page of the product you choose, and see the BaliSIM FAQ for installation and activation basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy an Indonesian eSIM with only a passport?
Sometimes, but do not assume it. A passport is usually the main identity document, yet many products also ask for your phone's IMEI and some ask for a selfie holding the passport. Check the exact product page before you buy.
Do tourists need KITAS to buy an Indonesian eSIM?
Not necessarily. Telkomsel's general prepaid eSIM page lists KITAS for foreign citizens getting a new number, while tourist-specific products such as XL eSIM Tourist say they are for foreign passport holders. Requirements depend on the product, so confirm before purchase.
Is passport registration required for an Indonesian tourist SIM card?
For the tourist products checked, yes, passport details are part of registration. Tri's Tourist Pass physical SIM asks for a passport, KITAS or KITAP, plus a selfie and IMEI photo. Other providers differ, so follow the product's own instructions.
Do tourists need to register their IMEI in Indonesia?
It depends. Customs guidance says tourists staying up to 90 days can get temporary network access through an operator or provider. Permanent IMEI registration is a separate customs route for longer stays. Tourists who only roam on a foreign SIM are reported not to need it.
Is IMEI registration the same as SIM card registration?
No. SIM or eSIM registration verifies your identity for a mobile service. IMEI registration relates to your phone as a device. They are handled for different purposes, and completing one does not complete the other.
Can I use my foreign phone in Indonesia without registering its IMEI?
With your foreign SIM and international roaming, tourists are reported not to need IMEI registration. To use an Indonesian SIM or eSIM on that phone, its IMEI must be registered, and for short stays this is usually handled through the provider.
Where can I find my phone's IMEI number?
Open the phone dialler on an iPhone or Android phone and dial *#06#. The IMEI should appear if your device supports it. Dual-SIM phones may show more than one IMEI, so use the one your provider asks for.
Do I need to register my IMEI before arriving in Bali?
It depends on the product. Some providers collect your IMEI at purchase or during their registration step, before you travel. Customs guidance describes temporary access as arranged through the operator or provider. Ask your provider when its process happens.
Can I buy an Indonesian tourist eSIM before travelling?
Often yes. Many tourist eSIMs can be bought and installed in advance, but activation and validity rules differ. BaliSIM, for example, counts validity from your arrival date. Confirm when your plan starts and when registration must be finished.
Are the registration requirements the same for Telkomsel and other eSIM providers?
No. Telkomsel's general prepaid eSIM lists KITAS for foreign citizens, XL's tourist eSIM is for foreign passport holders, and Tri's Tourist Pass asks for a passport, selfie and IMEI photo. Each product has its own process.
Prepare First, Then Choose
Understanding the difference between operator registration, IMEI registration and customs procedures makes the process less confusing. Check the exact product, keep your passport and IMEI ready, and confirm the current rules before you travel.
Planning to buy an Indonesian tourist eSIM? Check the registration details on each product page first, then compare options.
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