Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS): A Comprehensive Guide
What is QRIS? QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesia Standard) is Indonesia’s unified QR-code payment system, launched by Bank Indonesia (BI) in 2019. Developed jointly by BI and the Indonesian Payment Systems Association (ASPI), QRIS integrates all non-cash payment methods under one standard. The name “QRIS” is even a play on “keris”, a traditional Indonesian sword, symbolizing national pride. Officially released on August 17, 2019 (Indonesia’s Independence Day), QRIS became mandatory for all payment apps by January 1, 2020. In practice, any smartphone with a camera and mobile internet can use QRIS: users download a BI-approved e-wallet or banking app, top up their account, and simply scan a merchant’s QRIS code to pay. Likewise, merchants only need one QRIS code (sticker or display) to accept payments from any app. In short, QRIS is a one-code-for-all-payments system, ensuring fast, secure, low-cost transactions across Indonesia
How QRIS Works: QRIS supports two modes: Merchant-Presented Mode (MPM) and Consumer-Presented Mode (CPM). In MPM, the merchant shows a QR code (static on a sticker or dynamic on-screen) and the customer scans it with their app. In dynamic mode, the QR encodes the exact amount for fast checkout. In CPM (called QRIS Bayar in Bank BCA’s branding), the customer displays a QR code on their phone for the merchant to scan. Either way, the underlying principle is the same: one standardized QR code that any registered payment app can use. BI explains that before QRIS, each payment provider had its own QR code. With QRIS, any app can pay any merchant, and merchants can receive funds into any one of their accounts using a single QRIS code
Consumers can use any BI-approved app (e.g. the MyBCA mobile app shown) to display or scan a QRIS code for payment. For example, Bank BCA’s myBCA app offers a QRIS Bayar feature: customers open the app, tap “QRIS Bayar”, and show their personal QR code on screen. The merchant then scans it to debit the account and finalize payment. In fact, BI’s rules allow payments up to IDR 10 million per transaction, and BCA has announced that starting September 3, 2025 its QRIS Bayar limit will be IDR 10 million. Because the standard is open-source (based on global EMVQR specs), it ensures interoperability: one QRIS code works across thousands of banks, e-wallets and fintech services
Key Features & Benefits: QRIS delivers many advantages for merchants, consumers, and the broader economy. Bank Indonesia emphasizes that QRIS makes payments Cepat, Murah, Aman, dan Mudah – fast, low-cost, secure and convenient. Some notable benefits include:
Universal Acceptance: A single QRIS code can be scanned by any BI-licensed payment app. No need to juggle multiple apps; one QR serves all banks and e-wallets.
Fast and Easy Payments: Transactions are completed in seconds. The customer just scans the QR code (or shows their QR) and confirms the amount. This replaces tedious cash handling or waiting for card terminals.
Low Costs: Merchants (especially small businesses/MSMEs) enjoy very low or even zero fees for QRIS. BI sets a low Merchant Discount Rate, often under 1%. The result is much cheaper than traditional card fees. BI even capped QRIS transaction values at IDR 10M per txn (to control risk).
Inclusive & Digital: QRIS is a boon for financial inclusion. Any smartphone user with a bank or e-wallet can pay – no bank account or card is strictly required. This enables rural kiosks, street vendors, and even places of worship to accept digital payments with just a printed QR code. It also helps merchants build transaction histories, aiding access to loans and avoiding cash loss.
- Secure and Regulated: Bank Indonesia supervises all QRIS operators. Advanced encryption and BI’s oversight guard against fraud.Users get transaction notifications instantly, and BI rules ensure merchant identity is verified before payment.
Multi-Currency and Cross-Border: New cross-border QRIS partnerships mean travelers can use it abroad (and foreigners can use it here) without currency hassleb. For example, a QRIS-enabled payment in Thailand automatically converts Thai baht to Indonesian rupiah.
These plus other perks (no bulky POS machines needed, unified e-receipts, easy reconciliation) make QRIS a revolution in Indonesian payments. As one Medium analysis notes, QRIS not only empowers MSMEs and consumers, but even challenges the dominance of Visa/Mastercard in everyday retail.
History and Growth of QRIS
QRIS was officially introduced on August 17, 2019 by Bank Indonesia.A BI regulation (No. 21/18/PADG/2019) mandated that starting January 1, 2020, all banks and non-bank payment providers must implement the standard. This unified years of fragmented QR systems into one network. By late 2020 (early in the COVID-19 pandemic), over 3.6 million MSMEs had already adopted QRI,spurred by the hygienic appeal of contactless payments.
Adoption accelerated swiftly. By October 2023, QRIS had onboarded about 29.6 million merchants and 43.4 million users, with 92% of merchants being small businesses.The growth continued: by October 2024 there were 54.1 million users and 34.7 million merchants, and the total QRIS transaction value jumped 183.9% year-on-year.In other words, QRIS went from zero to tens of millions of users and merchants in just a few years. It is now accepted in every province and even on public transit and tourist sites.
Regulators have kept pace. BI has updated rules (e.g. Gov. Reg. 24/1/PADG/2022) to refine QRIS standards, security, and capital requirements. They set user limits (e.g. Rp10M per payment) and require all PSPs to be licensed with KYC safeguards. Importantly for consumers, BI forbids extra fees on QRIS: users pay no surcharge for scanning QRIS. In short, BI’s goal is clear: make digital payments pervasive and fair.
ASPI and the QRIS Ecosystem
The Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI) is the self-regulatory organization overseeing QRIS standards. ASPI was established by BI to coordinate banks and fintech in payment rules. As BI notes, ASPI (Asosiasi Sistem Pembayaran Indonesia) helped draft QRIS to “integrate all non-cash payments in Indonesia”.Today, ASPI’s website proudly markets QRIS as “Satu kode untuk segala macam metode pembayaran” – one code for every payment method.
Under ASPI’s guidance, every e-wallet, mobile banking app, or digital payment service provider (PSP) must use QRIS for QR transactions. Any licensed PSP can join QRIS, after BI approval of its systems and KYC processes. The result is an enormous ecosystem: major banks (Mandiri, BRI, BNI, BCA, etc.), fintech companies (GoPay, OVO, Dana, LinkAja, etc.) and even some international wallet tie-ins all interoperate via QRIS. Through ASPI, BI also hosts education and promotional events like “QRIS Jelajah Indonesia” to raise awareness. Overall, ASPI ensures QRIS remains robust, secure and widely accessible.
How to Use QRIS (Step-by-Step)
Using QRIS is straightforward. Here is a typical consumer flow:
- Download a BI-approved payment app. Choose any e-wallet or mobile banking app from a PSP licensed by BI. Popular options include GoPay, OVO, Dana, LinkAja, or one of many bank mobile apps (e.g. BCA mobile, Mandiri Online). Complete any required registration and KYC in the app.Top up your balance. Transfer money into the app from your bank account or add cash at a partner outlet. Make sure you have enough balance (or linked bank account) to cover your purchase.
- Scan the merchant’s QRIS code (or show your own). At checkout, either tap “Scan QR” in your app and point your camera at the merchant’s QR code, or use your app’s “QRIS Bayar” mode to display your own QR code for the cashier to scan.
Confirm amount and approve. If it’s a static code, you’ll enter the payment amount after scanning. Verify the number is correct. The app will often show the amount in both your currency and in rupiah (for foreigners) before you proceed. Press “Pay” and enter your PIN or biometric to authorize.
Receive notification. Both you and the merchant get instant confirmation. The merchant’s account is debited and your account is debited accordingly.
No separate machine (EDC) is needed; a merchant can even use their smartphone camera to scan customers’ QR. Likewise, a consumer does not need cash or card: just a phone with data. And best of all, there’s no extra fee to use QRIS. – the service is treated like digital cash.
For merchants: accepting QRIS is similarly simple. A store registers with any PSP and gets a QRIS code (printout or static display). When a customer pays, the funds go to the merchant’s bank account with that PSP. BI clarifies: merchants only need one QRIS code per outlet, even if they have accounts with multiple banks.
Major Banks and QRIS – BCA Example
All major Indonesian banks support QRIS in their apps and for merchant acquiring. For example, Bank Central Asia (BCA) – one of Indonesia’s largest banks – fully embraced QRIS. In BCA’s mobile banking app, myBCA, customers can scan or display QRIS codes. BCA also provides QRIS services to merchants through its ATM/EDC terminals and its Merchant app.
In July 2025, BCA announced an increase in the QRIS payment limit for customers: starting September 3, 2025, the QRIS Bayar transaction limit is set to Rp10 million per payment. This lets shoppers make larger purchases via QRIS. The bank’s press release explains that “QRIS Bayar” is the mode where a customer’s QR code (on myBCA or BCA mobile) is scanned by the merchant. As BCA puts it, this feature “mempermudah akses perbankan Anda” – simplifying digital banking access.
An example of Bank BCA’s QRIS Bayar function in the myBCA app. The user’s QR code can be scanned by a merchant’s device to complete payment. This image shows how a customer displays their personal QRIS code in the BCA app for scanning. (Note: any BI-licensed app works similarly – this is just one example.)
Beyond BCA, other banks like Mandiri, BRI, BNI and BTPN also offer QRIS in their mobile apps. Merchants can choose to settle QRIS payments into any bank – if a merchant has accounts with multiple banks, they simply designate one for QRIS settlements. Thanks to BI’s interoperability rules, a QRIS payment from a GoPay user can go into a BCA merchant account, for instance. The ecosystem is designed to connect all bank systems under one umbrella.
QRIS vs. Traditional Payment Methods
Compared to credit/debit cards or cash, QRIS offers distinct differences:
No Plastic Needed: QRIS requires neither a card swipe nor an ATM machine. A smartphone suffices. This lowers entry barriers and cost for merchants.
Lower Fees: For many small merchants, QRIS is cheaper than accepting Visa/Mastercard. Studies report Merchant Discount Rates for QRIS often below 1%, whereas card fees can be higher. Lower fees mean saving costs for micro-businesses.
Inclusivity: Anyone can pay with QRIS as long as they have a bank or e-wallet. In contrast, card payments exclude people without cards. QRIS extends digital payments to unbanked segment.
Speed: QR code transfers (especially the new NFC “QRIS Tap”) can be faster than waiting for card PIN prompts. The convenience factor is often cited by users.
Domestic Focus: QRIS is primarily tailored for Indonesia’s domestic market. (Global networks like Visa still dominate international e-commerce and overseas transactions.) But QRIS is rapidly expanding regionally too.
Security: QRIS transactions are tokenized and tracked. The Central Bank enforces anti-fraud regulations. Consumers get immediate notifications – reducing “lost cash” and unauthorized charges.
In summary, QRIS excels for everyday local purchases – street food, taxis, small shops – where ease and ubiquity matter more than credit card rewards. The Indonesian context, with many small retailers and price-sensitive consumers, makes QRIS particularly effective
QRIS Cross-Border and Foreign Use
QRIS Antarnegara (Cross-Border): A major development is that QRIS is going international. Bank Indonesia calls it QRIS Antarnegara – cross-border QR payments. BI has established partnerships so that QRIS codes can be recognized by foreign payment systems, and vice versa.
As of 2024, QRIS has been integrated with several countries’ payment networks. For example, Indonesians can now scan Thai, Malaysian or Singaporean QR payments on their apps (and foreigners from those countries can use QRIS here. In July 2024, BI announced an agreement with the Bank of Korea, enabling QRIS use in South Korea. Australia, India, UAE, Laos, Brunei, Vietnam and Japan are also in the pipelin.
Here’s how it works for a foreigner in Indonesia: If your home country has a QRIS cross-border link, you use your local payment app to scan the Indonesian merchant’s QRIS code. The app will display prices in your currency and convert to IDR automaticall. For example, the Narasi news article explains, “WNA di Indonesia dapat bertransaksi dengan memindai QRIS merchant Indonesia menggunakan aplikasi pembayaran negaranya.” (Foreign nationals in Indonesia can pay by scanning an Indonesian QRIS code with their home country’s payment app.
Conversely, Indonesians traveling abroad can use QRIS on foreign merchant codes in partner countries. No need to exchange cash or carry lots of cards. A BI FAQ notes that cross-border QRIS allows international travelers to make payments at QRIS merchants in Indonesia and vice versa.
Recent Expansion: Just to illustrate pace of change, on August 17, 2025 Bank Indonesia rolled out QRIS in Japan. Japanese travelers can now pay in JPY at QRIS-enabled stores, which converts to rupiah automatically. (This was done in partnership with Japan’s financial authorities and payment network. ) Soon Japan will be followed by China, which is already in trial. Within ASEAN, cross-border QRIS with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines is active
How Foreigners Use QRIS (Step-by-Step): For a visitor to Indonesia with cross-border capability:
Install your bank’s mobile app (that supports QRIS cross-border).
Go to checkout at a shop with a QRIS sticker.
Open your app’s “Scan QR” function.
Scan the merchant’s QRIS code. The app will auto-fill the amount and show it in your currency.
Confirm and approve the paymen.
It’s as simple as that – the Narasi guide lists these exact steps. If you don’t have a compatible app, you may need local alternatives. Some travelers choose to top up a local e-wallet (e.g. Gojek or OVO) via credit card or bank account, then use that app to pay QRIS at stores. (However, note that Indonesian e-wallets typically require local ID for registration.)
An example of QRIS Cross-Border usage: Bank BCA’s announcement for QRIS in Japan shows how JPY payments convert to IDR. This reflects the broader “QRIS Antarnegara” initiative which eases payments for travelers.
Regulations and Policies
Bank Indonesia has put in place a comprehensive regulatory framework for QRIS. Some highlights:
Mandatory Standards: Since 2020, all merchant QR codes must follow QRIS standards. Any old QR codes (from specific apps) must be replaced by QRIS.
PSP Requirements: Payment providers need BI’s approval to offer QRIS. They must ensure system uptime, risk controls, and proper KYC for users. All licensed e-money and banking apps in Indonesia can use QRIS.
Transaction Limits: The base limit is Rp10 million per transaction. PSPs may impose daily or cumulative limits as needed. (BCA announced it will use the full Rp10M limit for its QRIS Bayar featur.)
No Fees for Consumers: BI mandates that QRIS payments are free of charge for users. Any fees (if any) are borne by merchants, but BI guides that these should be minimal.
Security & Consumer Protection: BI recommends that consumers always verify merchant details and check notifications. In practice, apps often show the merchant’s business name during payment. In case of errors, BI instructs consumers to contact the PSP for dispute resolution.
International Compliance: QRIS is based on EMVCo (global) standards. BI collaborates with foreign regulators (e.g. MAS, MAS Singapore; Bank Negara Malaysia; Bank of Thailand; etc.) to ensure seamless cross-border link.
In short, Indonesia’s central bank has treated QRIS as a top strategic initiative. The combination of clear rules and active promotion (subsidies, education campaigns) has driven QRIS’s success.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
QRIS continues to evolve. Recent innovations include:
QRIS Tap (NFC): In March 2025, BI launched QRIS Tap, an NFC (contactless) variant of QRIS. Instead of scanning a printed QR, users can tap their phone on a merchant’s NFC-enabled display. This speeds up transactions (as low as 0.3 seconds!) and offers another payment option. Currently it works on Android (BI plans iOS soon).
Expanded Linkages: More countries are joining. BI has announced upcoming cross-border QRIS with India, Korea, Japan, UAE, Laos, Brunei and Vietnam. Chinese tourists in Indonesia may soon pay via QRIS if trials with PBoC succeed.
Increased Limits and Features: BI’s regulations now allow up to Rp10M per txn by default (BCA implemented this full limi). Some apps may introduce features like peer-to-peer QR transfers (scan a friend’s QR to send money) under QRIS standards.
- Wider Adoption: BI reports that QRIS is now ubiquitous – even remote villages and public services use i. Ongoing campaigns aim for 100% penetration in urban retail.
One recent news point: The U.S. Trade Representative mentioned QRIS in its 2025 trade barriers report, noting concerns by US payment firms over lack of consultation. This highlights QRIS’s rising global impact. Nevertheless, BI’s stance remains that QRIS fosters a cashless, digital economy for Indonesia’s benefit.
Looking ahead, QRIS is likely to remain Indonesia’s primary retail payment rail. Its continual growth and cross-border push suggest that soon any tourist or business traveler will simply use QRIS as their default payment method in ASEAN and beyond. The trend towards a cashless society – “Cashless Society” is explicitly stated as an ASPI policy goal – will carry QRIS to new heights.
Sources: Authoritative sources include Bank Indonesia publications, ASPI, BCA, and reputable news outlets. Key data and quotes were drawn from these sources among others, ensuring accuracy.