VOLUNTEERS

Image by Jason Childs - Calang Aceh

Want to Volunteer? All Volunteers please fill out this on-line form

This page is a resource for those who wish to volunteer. It includes information about obtaining visa's, how to travel to-and-from, a list of items needed, and a listing of the specific types of expertise we most desperately need right now.

We need your help to continue putting the plan into action.

Please click here for a list of vaccinations that you must have before arriving in Indonesia.

Expertise: We're looking for a marine surveyor, delivery skipper, ships engineers, doctors, nurses, accountants, lawyers, engineers, educators and tradespeople. Knowledge of the Indonesian language is very valuable. Contact us if you can help.

Volunteers should expect to cover the cost of all travel, accommodation and personal camping equipment required while on mission. While aboard our boats or ships and while in Padang we will house and feed you. Medivac insurance is your responsibility. Please make sure you arrange it. Arrive loaded with anything that you think will be usefull then prepare to travel light. The field situation is constantly changing so prepare yourself for the unexpected.

Please download, print and bring a copy of the recommendation letter from the Mayor of Padang.

After you fill in our online form, please also register your interest at VolunteerMatch so that we have your details on line but protected by this trusted non-profit. Registration will ensure that your interest is treated promptly:

[VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins.]

Once you have been accepted as a field volunteer, please read the information below carefully:

ISLANDAID sustainable support for isolated communities
operated by The Electric Lamb Mission

ENTRY AND VISA REQUIREMENTS - INDONESIA

For passengers travelling to Indonesia, passports must be valid at least 6 months from date of entry into Indonesia. If valid less than 6 months - passengers will not be permitted to travel. Israeli passports are not recognised by the Indonesian Government and Israeli nationals must obtain a travel affidavit issued by an Indonesian representation abroad.

Short Guide to Visas for Indonesia
Indonesia has introduced wide ranging changes in the national visa-free and visa on arrival system, which became effective on February 1, 2004. We've tried to summarize those changes here for your convenience.

Visa Free Facility: In the past the nationals of 48 nations were given a 60-day stay (visa free) upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway. Under the new rules only 11 countries and territories will be eligible for this facility, they are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam. Nationals of the aforementioned countries and territories will be issued with a 30-day stay permit without charge upon presentation of a valid passport with 6 months remaining validity. The Visa Free Facility is not extendable or convertible into another type of visa.

Visa on Arrival: Nationals of 21 countries will be able to obtain a "Visa on Arrival" processed at the gate of entry following the payment of an official fee. The citizens of 21 countries and territories eligible to purchase visas on arrival are: the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

The citizens of the aforementioned countries must hold a passport with at least 6 months remaining validity at the time of arrival, present a completed embarkation/disembarkation card provided by the airlines, be able to demonstrate they have sufficient means to live during their stay in Indonesia, not be listed on any official blacklist of individuals prohibited from entering the country, and pay the stipulated fee to obtain a visa.

The Visa on Arrival fee for citizens of eligible countries is US$ 25 for a 30 day visa and US$ 10 for a 3 day visa.and is non-extendable and cannot be converted into another class of visa. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BRING YEAR 2000+ BANK NOTES IN GOOD CONDITION! OLDER NOTES MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED!

Immigration authorities guarantee the visa purchasing system will take no more than 3-5 minutes per applicant. 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer have been set up to process payments.Once payment is completed the tourist will proceed to an immigration counter for final inspection of documents and visa issuance.

Visa on Arrival at Limited Gateways
Initially, the visa on arrival facility will only be available at the following international gateways:

Airports: Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Manado.

Seaports: Batam, Tanjung Uban (Bintan), Belawan (Medan), Sibolga (Sumatra), Dumai, Teluk Bayar (Padang, Sumatra), Padang Bai (Bali), and Jayapura (Papua).

Applying for Visas Before Arrival
Citizens of countries not included on a visa-free or visa-on-arrival lists must apply for a visa overseas before arriving in Indonesia. Citizens of any country wishing to stay more than 30 days must also apply for an appropriate visa at their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to Indonesia.

Special Facilities
A certain number of special facilities are being introduced in connection with the new visa policy, including:
  • Tour Agents are able to arrange express handling for groups at no additional charge by presenting the completed immigration cards, passports and applicable visa fee.
  • Passengers who overstay their visa period for a short period of time can be processed immediately at the airport by paying US$ 20 for every day they "overstayed" their 30 day visa.
  • Airlines that experience technical difficulties or delayed flights can apply for their passengers to be exempted from paying any "overstay" penalties.

Further Information:
At present their are six types of visas granted to foreigners in Indonesia:
  • Temporary Resident Visas
  • Permanent Residence Visas
  • Special dispensations for Ships' crews: stay permit for foreigners employed as crews on foreign registered ships and oil platforms.
  • Free Visas on Arrival
  • Visas issued on arrival for a fee.
  • Visitor Visas

Within the category of Visitor Visa there are 4 classes of visitor visas:
  • Social Budaya Visas - literally a Social-Cultural visa usually issued to visit families and dependents, for individuals to visit a social organization with which they have an affiliation, and to those involved in cultural exchanges of training programs.
  • Business Visas typically issued to business people on short term work assignments, negotiations, or training assignments.
  • Tourist Visas available to nationals of countries not eligible for a free visa on arrival or a visa issued on arrival for a fee and issued to visit tourism sites or assist in the facilitation of foreign tourists visiting Indonesian.
  • Visitor Visas for those on Government Service issued to the employees of foreign governments and international organizations on assignment in Indonesia or private foreign contractors employed by the Indonesian government.

Stay Permits

Limited Stay Permits are given to individuals holding limited validity entry permits including children and dependent of foreigners on temporary resident visas and the Indonesian-born children of an Indonesian mother.

Permanent Stay/Residency Permits are given to the Indonesian-born children of foreigners holding permanent residency in Indonesia and foreigners who successfully apply for permanent residency in Indonesian.

Special Note:
The above information is only meant as a general guide to visas available to foreigners in Indonesia. Complete details on immigration requirements can be obtained from the Consular Section of your nearest Indonesian Embassy. Note that The above entry regulations are subject to change, and were correct at the end of February, 2004.

To Volunteer fill out this on-line form

Print this Check List:

Documents
  • Passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Photocopy of passport (we need this on arrival)
  • Visa? (check if you need one)
  • Travel & Medivac Insurance. This is a bargain that every volunteer must have.
  • Your air-ticket will come in handy. Don't laugh! People have shown up without their return tickets!
Surf/Dive/Fishing Gear
  • Lycra (sun & coral protection)
  • Mask & fins. We have them on board but they may not be the perfect fit you get with your own gear.
  • Please DON'T bring a spear-gun. You may know how to use one, but we don't want the risk of someone else getting their hands on a deadly weapon and mixing with our volunteers. We will troll for pelagic fish off-shore but we don't spear bottom fish at anchor.
  • Underwater camera. Always a risk your camera will get wet.
Medical
  • Travel medical insurance (we recommend Medivac)
  • Health check-up (update immunizations)
  • Anti malarial medication (Doxycycline is popular because it stops reef cut infections and seems to have few side effects for most people. Ask your doctor)
  • Personal medications (Please tell us if you suffer from ANY medical or physical problem that might impact on other passengers)
  • Basic medical kit. This is your responsibility. Boats are equipped to look after emergencies.
  • Mineral/salts supplement
  • Insect repellent
  • Good sunscreen
  • Skin moisturizer / after sun.
Dress & Linen
  • Light weight clothing - shorts, T-shirts, sarongs, full coverage gear for sun and insect protection ashore.
  • Pillow and sheets for your bunk.
  • Hat(s) with wide brim and light color. Use a chin strap or bring a spare.
  • Boots or at least very strong boat shoes/sneakers. Thongs are useless in debris and we might come across that anywhere
  • Beach towel.
  • Sunglasses bring a spare set and equip with a neck leash.
  • Hair bands (for long hair)
  • Mosquito net. Your cabin on the ship/boat is air conditioned but feel free to use a net on board. If you like sleeping under the stars on deck then a net is a good idea. Generally we anchor well away from land and mosquitoes but we strongly recommend that you play it safe. Malaria and other mosquito borne diseases are a problem in most tropical countries and the best policy in DONT GET BITTEN.

Food & Drink
  • Bring your favorites - there are no restrictions (we draw the line at Durian)

Entertainment
  • CDs - all boats have CD players
  • Videos (VHS - PAL not NTSC)
  • Camcorders and spare cassettes (Boats voltage is 240V AC so make sure you have an adapter)
  • Cameras, film
  • Books (talk to your mates and try not to all bring the same one!)
Other
  • Money - bring US$ or change to Rupiah in Jakarta or Bali (Padang rates are always lower)
  • Trading in the islands requires small Rupiah denominations. Bring Rp1,000 Rp & Rp5,000 notes
Drugs?
  • No substance abuse - penalties are horrific

Please freely distribute information on and about this website.

On December 26, 2004, the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia was rocked by one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history. The tsunami that followed had a devastating affect on the region. Many small coastal towns were left inaccessible by road. ELM was formed to bring aid to these remote areas. ELM has grown and expanded it's mission to support isolated island communities in Indonesia and the region. We are now called ISLAND AID Organization.