Planning a trip to Indonesia usually starts with choosing beaches, food spots, or places to stay. Yet many travelers only realize one simple thing once they land. They need a local SIM card to stay connected in Indonesia. Free WiFi exists here and there, but it is not reliable enough for navigation, last-minute bookings, or even quick communication. A local SIM card makes everything easier.
Foreign visitors must register their SIM card before using it in Indonesia. This rule applies to prepaid cards and must be done through official service centers. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics explains on its website that registration can also take place at non-official outlets, but only if the outlet has been appointed by an operator as a partner for registration validation.
At the service center, staff usually request a passport number or Temporary Stay Permit Card known as KITAS, along with the prepaid number being registered. Each operator has its own process for foreign users, and the steps vary slightly. Below is a breakdown of how major operators in Indonesia handle SIM card registration for tourists.
Telkomsel created the Tourist Prepaid Card for international visitors coming to Indonesia. Travelers can order it through Telkomsel’s official website from their home country, then pick it up after arriving in Indonesia. The card is only available for foreign buyers, and data validation uses a passport and the phone’s IMEI number.
The registration process for prepaid cards uses passport data or the information listed on KITAP or KITAS. Before buying one, travelers must ensure that their phone is not locked to a specific network. They also need a passport photo and a screenshot of the phone’s IMEI information obtained by dialing *#06#. The purchase includes 25 GB of data valid for 30 days.
Purchases cannot be refunded under any circumstances. Several conditions also apply. One passport can register up to three SIM cards. The SIM card must be collected within 14 days after pre-booking. Travelers must bring the confirmation email, passport, and IMEI details when picking up the card.
The Tourist Prepaid Card is available at GraPARI, Telkomsel booths, and selected outlets in Yogyakarta, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara. More details are provided on Telkomsel’s official website.
XL Axiata is another option. The registration process for prepaid SIM cards requires several documents for foreign nationals. These include a passport, KITAP, or KITAS. Visitors must come to an official service center or a partner outlet. They need to bring their valid identification. Staff will then register the SIM card by recording important details such as full name, passport or KITAS or KITAP number, nationality, place of birth, and date of birth.
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Indosat IM3 offers the Travel On starter pack for tourists who need easy internet access during their stay. The card is available at outlets, airport and port booths, and IM3’s e-commerce platforms. New users register this SIM card through IM3 agents at outlets or booths by submitting data like name, passport number, IMEI, and other required information.
Existing IM3 users can buy the Travel On package through the myIM3 app. Several terms and conditions apply. The package is only sold through Modern Channel partners via IM3 direct sales. It becomes active once the SIM card is registered. There is no auto renewal. Users cannot register another data package while using Travel On, although Extra Packages remain available.
Top-ups are allowed, but the package validity will not extend. Once the package expires, the MSISDN number becomes inactive. The Travel On SIM card is limited to tourists, and registration requires a passport. Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison has the right to monitor and take action if internet, call, or SMS usage is considered excessive or misaligned with company policy. This may happen without prior notice.
The Travel On package remains active for 30 days from first use. After that period, travelers can extend it or purchase another package through *123#, *888#, or the myIM3 app.
