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Understanding QRIS, Indonesia's essential cashless payment standard

Written by Admin | May 4, 2024 11:00:00 PM

QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) is Indonesia's unified QR code payment system designed to streamline digital payment processes across merchants, platforms, and financial service providers.

Launched by Bank Indonesia, QRIS enables consumers to make payments easily using a standardised QR code system, regardless of the payment methods or providers they use. It supports integration with digital wallets, mobile banking apps, and payment platforms.

Since its introduction in 2019, the QRIS payment standard has been adopted by over 54.1 million consumers and 34.7 million merchants. Whether you're shopping, paying bills, or making cross-border transactions, QRIS simplifies the payment process for consumers and businesses alike.

This guide explores the functionality, benefits, and usage of QRIS, providing a comprehensive overview of how it works for merchants and users.

What Is QRIS?

QRIS is Indonesia's standardised QR payment system designed to unify the country's fragmented digital payment ecosystem. Because it is nationally regulated by Bank Indonesia, consumers and merchants can conduct cashless transactions regardless of which payment applications or providers they prefer. The QRIS system ensures that user QR codes work across all participating Payment System Service Providers, including banks and digital wallets.

As of 1 January 2020, Bank Indonesia has made it mandatory for all Payment System Service Providers to use the QRIS system. Therefore, when conducting transactions with Indonesian merchants or consumers, one is likely to encounter QRIS codes.

QRIS is ideal for merchants of all sizes, from small vendors to medium and large-scale merchants, looking to grow their business in Indonesia. Learn how to offer Indonesian consumers a seamless way to conduct transactions.

How QRIS payments work

QRIS simplifies the transaction process for both merchants and consumers. Here's how it works:

1. Merchant setup

Merchants can create both merchant-specific and transaction-specific QR codes through their merchant app or payment platforms. QR codes can be displayed physically (e.g., at checkout counters) or digitally (e.g., on invoices or e-commerce websites).

2. Payment process

Because QRIS payments are highly intuitive and adoption is high, payment instructions are rarely needed. Consumers simply open their preferred digital wallets or mobile banking apps, scan the displayed QRIS code, and enter the payment amount. If the merchant has generated a transaction-specific QR code, the amount may already be pre-configured.

After entering the payment details, consumers confirm the transaction process with their personal PIN, biometric verification, or another form of authentication provided by their payment app.

Once the payment is successful, both the merchant and the customer receive a payment result notification. No signature is needed. Consumers can save the digital receipt for recordkeeping.

Features of QRIS payments

1. Unified system across Indonesia

QRIS integrates all Payment System Service Providers in Indonesia, allowing merchants to accept payments from any digital payment application with their unique, merchant-specific QR code. Consumers can make payments directly from their digital wallets or mobile banking apps by scanning a physical QR code or a digital one from their mobile device's gallery.

2. QRIS Tap for contactless payments

In March 2025, QRIS launched QRIS Tap, a feature that uses Near-Field Communication (NFC) to enable touch-and-go payments. Users will not need to scan QR codes, but simply tap their mobile device on a compatible NFC reader. This process makes payments easier than conventional QRIS scanning methods — useful for high-traffic, crowded areas like train stations, food courts, and markets, as well as places with poor Internet connection or congested networks.

 

Its first phase of implementation covers several transportation hubs, car parks, hospitals, retail spaces, and MSMEs. Consumers who use QRIS Tap will not incur any additional fees, while merchants will get a discount rate, according to Bank Indonesia.

3. QRIS TTS (Transfer Withdrawal and Deposit

QRIS is testing QRIS TTS (Transfer Withdrawal and Deposit), a service that lets users scan a QR code at a merchant store to withdraw cash or deposit money into their transaction account (for example, an e-wallet). This removes the need to find an ATM for cash withdrawal or a bank branch for deposits.

4. Wide acceptance

QRIS is accepted across multiple sectors, including retail, e-commerce, dining, transportation, and shopping establishments. It is used in 416 districts and 98 cities across Indonesia.

5. Additional limits for security

Depending on the merchant app and type of account used, QRIS transactions come with nominal limits to ensure security and fraud prevention. For larger purchases, users may need additional authentication or approval processes.

6. Cross-border functionality

The governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have agreed to allow cross-border payments using QR codes. This means that travellers from these countries can use participating local e-wallets to pay when they go to any of the other four countries and pay in their own local currencies — an arrangement that's estimated to reduce transaction costs by 30%. For Indonesian consumers and merchants, QRIS supports these cross-border payments.

7. Real-time notifications

Merchants and customers receive instant notifications upon successful transactions, providing clarity and assurance.

Benefits of QRIS Payments

1. For consumers

  • Convenience: With QRIS, consumers no longer need to navigate multiple QR codes or payment methods. A single scan is all it takes to complete a purchase.
  • Ease of use: QRIS is simple and intuitive, requiring minimal setup or technical expertise to perform transactions.
  • Security: QRIS integrates robust security measures to prevent fraud, including encryption and strong authentication protocols.

2. For merchants

  • Increased accessibility: Merchants can accept payments from various digital wallets and banking apps through one unified QR code.
  • Cost efficiency: By consolidating payment systems, QRIS reduces the need for merchants to invest in multiple payment platforms.
  • Customer satisfaction: The simplicity and ease of QRIS improve the overall shopping experience, encouraging repeat business and helping to lower cart abandonment rates.

Risks and considerations of QRIS

Despite the system's advantages, QRIS payments come with potential risks, including:

1. Fraud risks

Users and merchants should be cautious about phishing scams or fake QR codes. Ensure QRIS codes are generated through trusted payment platforms.

2. Transaction limits

Depending on the Payment System Service Provider used, merchants may encounter nominal limits for transactions. Merchants and consumers should familiarise themselves with these limits to avoid disruptions during high-value transactions.

3. Regulatory compliance

While QRIS is widely supported, merchants and service providers must adhere to Indonesia's banking and payment regulations, especially for cross-border transactions.

Adopting QRIS Payments

For merchants

Partner with a certified Payment System Service Provider to set up your QRIS-compatible account. Visit the QRIS website for a list of bank and non-bank providers. (If you want to adopt QRIS Tap, though, you may have to wait for wider implementation across Indonesia.)

Generate and display the QRIS code at your store or on your website. You may opt to use either static or dynamic QR codes.

To integrate QRIS into your app, sign up to their Open API platform or use a payment platform like Antomfor seamless integration.

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For consumers

Install a digital wallet or mobile banking app that supports QRIS payments. Learn how to scan QR codes and authorise transactions securely. Take note of transaction limits and fees that may apply to specific merchants or transaction types. There are also minimum payment transactions, ranging from IDR 1 to IDR 1,000.

Grow your QRIS transactions in Indonesia with Antom

QRIS is revolutionising how digital payment transactions are conducted in Indonesia. By offering a standardised, secure, and accessible payment system, QRIS simplifies the payment process for merchants and consumers alike. From paying for groceries to making cross-border purchases, QRIS ensures ease, efficiency, and security in every transaction process. With its growing adoption and integration with payment applications and providers, QRIS is shaping the future of Indonesia's digital economy.

For e-commerce merchants looking to expand to Indonesia or serve Indonesian customers, a QRIS-compliant financial account can unlock significant transaction value. This is where Antom can help.

With Antom, you can offer the payment methods your customers prefer. Our acquiring license across more than 40 countries also makes accepting payments easier for your business. Consult with our experts and leverage our deep market expertise, extensive partnerships network, and comprehensive payment technologies to boost revenue and establish a presence in your preferred target markets.