Frequently Asked Questions

Programme Preparation

• What are the expectations of those who participate in the Fellowship Event?

  Read our Event Code of Conduct & Safeguarding plan

• What languages are offered at the Fellowship Event?

  English, French and Spanish

• What is the programme for the Fellowship Event?

  A high-level overview of the Fellowship Event programme can be downloaded here.

• How do I prepare for the Fellowship Event?

  Join us for a pre-event meeting to learn more about what will be happening at the Fellowship Event and a chance to ask questions

  Make sure you’re registered for the event in order to get notified about the upcoming briefings below:

  12th March 7am GMT. FE26 Briefing for In-person attendees – English

  12th March 10am GMT. FE26 Briefing for In-person attendees – English & French

  12th March 3pm GMT. FE26 Briefing for In-person attendees – English & Spanish

  16th April 7am GMT. FE26 Briefing for Online Attendees – English

  16th April 10am GMT. FE26 Briefing for Online Attendees – English & French

  16th April 3pm GMT. FE26 Briefing for Online Attendees – English & Spanish

• Can I book a room for side meetings at the Fellowship Event?

  There will be a 60-minute block each evening in the programme for Side Meetings / Affinity Groups. Depending on the size of your group and the availability of rooms, you can reach out to the FE26 Planning Team (events@biblesocieties.org) to enquire about booking a room for your group.

  There are also plenty of public spaces in the hotel to hold meetings but we ask that you restrict these meetings to the 60-minute block provided to allow everyone to fully participate in the programme.

• Will the event be available online?

  Yes, please register to get access to the Online content at https://fe26.ubs.bible/

  You can view a breakdown of what is available during the online event here.

• What is Collaboration Cafe?

  ISP Collaboration: During this 60-min Collaboration Cafe (taking place over three days) in the Main Room, delegates can schedule one-to-one or small group meetings and reserve tables to have these important conversations. Equally, you can use this time and space for ad hoc meetings. 

  To help you plan in advance of these meetings, you can view the Delegate List to see who is attending the 2026 Fellowship Event and communicate with the relevant ISP & Relationship  Manager to get further information.

  Publishing Collaboration: To cater for the Publishing and Digital aspects of the Bible ministry, we will create a special Publishing Corner where Bible Societies may like to display relevant items and projects. Do you have a new (published within the last two years) Print or Digital resource that others may benefit from? Please select one Key Product that you would like to share with the Fellowship and can be adapted to different contexts/audiences. Reach out to the Planning Team (events@biblesocieties.org) to discuss your resource.

  Open/ General Collaboration: For anyone who does not need to have ISP or Publishing Conversations, this is an open time to meet, connect and network with your colleagues. There are no dedicated rooms for this but delegates can visit the Pool Deck or Cafe area for conversations and smaller meetings. Or they can reserve a table in the Krakatau Ballroom.

• What are the plans for Sunday 10th of May?

  On Sunday, May 10, choose from several Jakarta excursions (booking required):

  • Morning Church Services: Depart 7:15 am – 9:20 am. Services are in Bahasa only.
  • Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (12:00 pm): A museum theme park visit for $10 USD.
  • Shopping (1:00 pm): Complimentary trip to Thamrin City or Sarinah. Bring IDR cash.
  • Bible Society Offices (1:00 pm): Complimentary tour of the Indonesian Bible Society.

  Alternatively, relax at the hotel or explore Ancol independently. For full details and to secure your spot, please visit the Excursion Sign-ups link.

Visa Information

• Do I need a visa for Indonesia?

  Indonesia was chosen as our host location after detailed research and thoughtful consideration, with a primary focus on accessibility. Indonesia offers visa-friendly access to most countries, making it a welcoming and practical choice for our global Fellowship event.  We recommend you begin exploring the visa requirements for your country as soon as possible. Visit this website for more information.

  The main purpose of your visit should be ‘General’, and the sub-purpose should be ‘Tourism’. Visas have a validity period of 90 days. This means visa applications cannot begin before 16 February 2026 (or 90 days before the date of departure). The visa needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Indonesia.

• Can you help me with my visa application?

  If you require a B1 Visa on Arrival, you can apply yourself online from February 16, 2026. Visas have a validity period of 90 days. 

  If you require a C1 Visa, the deadline for visa assistance has passed. However, you can apply yourself via the Immigration website – https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/.  You will be required to provide: 

  •  a copy of your passport  (must be valid for at least 6 months before its validity period expires)
  • a bank statement for the last 3 months in the name of the foreigner or guarantor of at least USD 2000 or equivalent. Your Bible Societies Statements could also be used in place of your personal bank statement. 
  • A recent passport-sized photo with a white background

Registration and Costs

• Who is invited to attend the Fellowship Event?

  The Fellowship Event is designed to serve local Bible Societies. Each Bible Society’s leadership is responsible for selecting its own delegation. Ideally, the representatives chosen should be those directly involved in relevant projects and most likely to benefit from connecting with colleagues from around the world. More specifically, the event is intended for Bible Society employees rather than Board members.

• What does my registration/delegate fee cover ?

  If you have registered for just the Fellowship Event, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 12. US $1,480 covers: 

  • 6 nights accommodation 
  • All Meals in the Group Dining Room & beverages during dedicated meal times
  • Full Conference Programme

  If you have registered for the Fellowship Event & the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 15. US $2,040 covers: 

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • All meals in the Group Dining Room & beverages during dedicated meal times
  • Full Conference Programme

  Any extras like Room Service, food or drink outside group meal times, and excursions will be at your own expense. You will be unable to put charges to your room, these will need to be paid by Credit Card at the time of purchase.

  The Fellowship Event and the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement are separate events, and you must be registered for both in advance in order to attend them. If you are unsure whether you are registered for one or both events, please check your confirmation email or contact events@biblesocieties.org.

• How do I pay for my registration?

  With the introduction of the Intra-Fellowship Cash Service (IFCS), Bible Societies Operational Account will no longer have access to credit. Bible Societies will be transitioned to the new system with support from their Financial or Relationship Manager.

  Therefore, Bible Societies with insufficient funds will be invoiced for their registration fees prior to attending the event. Invoices will be issued on 27 February 2026 and Invoices due for payment on 27 March 2026. Refunds will not be granted if you decide to cancel after the 27 February 2026. 

• How can I cancel, make changes or add travel details to my registration?

  Upon registering, you received a confirmation email from forms-receipts-noreply@google.com. Once you have found this confirmation email you can click on the button that says ‘Edit my response’. You will then be able to switch your registration type between In-person Fellowship Event or Online Event. You will also be able to add your travel details. No cancellations will be accepted after the 27th of February 2026.

  For any questions about updating your registration, please contact our team at events@biblesocieties.org

• Are there day rates available?

  Delegates travelling from outside Jakarta are required to stay on site in order to benefit from the whole event experience. Delegates who live in Jakarta should contact us to discuss what options are available.

Hotel & Check-in/Check-out Information

• Can I extend my stay?

  If you have registered for just the Fellowship Event, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 12. 

  If you have registered for the Fellowship Event & the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 15. 

  Extending your stay may not be possible and is subject to availability. Please contact our team at events@biblesocieties.org before booking your travel, if you wish to arrive or depart outside of these dates. We can recommend some alternative hotels nearby, if you wish to arrive early or depart later.

• Can I leave early/arrive late for the Fellowship Event?

  Please ensure you arrive on May 6, in time for the start of the programme, which will begin after breakfast on May 7. The programme will finish with breakfast on May 12, with the option for further informal networking that morning, until check out at 12:00. You will need to depart sometime on May 12. 

  To maximise the impact of our time together, we ask delegates to be present for the entirety of the programme between 7-11 May. There will not be a discount for staying less than the six nights included in the event package.

• Can I bring family members/ a plus 1?

  Only Bible Society staff will have access to the Event programme, and all of our meals will be taken in a separate area from other hotel guests. There will be no special programme for family members and this will be at your own expense. However, if you wish for another family member to stay at the venue with you during the period that the Event takes place, please contact us so we can discuss your requirements.

• What are Check in / Check out times?

  Check in time is 3pm on the day of arrival. Check out time is 12pm on the day of departure.

• What Hotel Amenities are available?

  Hotel Rooms contain: towel, kettle, hair dryer, basic toiletries (shampoo, body wash), TV, Wifi, mini-fridge, universal power plugs, filtered water, tea and coffee.

  Hotel Facilities include – Swimming Pool (6am-8pm), Gym, Spa (additional expense), Cafe/Bar (for additional beverages at your own expense).

• Will there be airport pickups from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport?

  Yes, it is important that you add your flight details to your registration form by 27th of February 2026.

  Airport transfers for arrivals will be available on the 5th and 6th of May only for those arriving into Terminal 2F or 3 of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. For those arriving at Terminal 1, please proceed to Terminal 2F or 3 via the airport shuttle bus or skytrain. If you’re arriving outside of these dates or arriving via a different method of transport we recommend ordering a taxi via MyBluebird or Grab Apps. See instructions here.
  
  Airport transfers for departures will be available on the 12th and 15th of May only. 

Other practical information

• Drinks & Tap Water Safety

  Drinking tap water is not advisable. There are water coolers available throughout the hotel to refill water bottles. Each day your hotel room will be replenished with safe, filtered drinking water. Watch a Video about Mercure’s Water filtration system.
  Tea and coffee will also be available in all dining areas during the breaks and mealtimes.

• What is the dress code?

  Please wear what you would be comfortable in for a conference or business meeting. Theballroom will be air conditioned, but some of our meals will be held outside, where daytime temperatures average 90℉ (32℃).  On the evening of Monday 11th May, we will have a dinner where you may wish to dress more formally but this is not a requirement. National or cultural dress is welcome. 

  You can bring more casual, relaxed attire for our Rest Day on Sunday 10th of May. 

• Can you help me with my insurance?

  As everyone has different requirements please arrange your own insurance for your travel, belongings and medical insurance.

• What should I pack?

  • Travel Adaptor: In Indonesia, there are two associated plug types, C and F. Plug type C has two round pins, and plug type F also has two round pins, but with two earth clips on the side. Indonesia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency.
  • SIM Card: Mobile SIM Card and other necessities are available at the airport (subject to business operating hours). 
  • Other technology: Your laptop will not be required during the main sessions of the programme, and you will be encouraged to leave it safely in your room. Your mobile phone will be required to access the Event App which will contain Schedules and other useful information.
  • Cash / currency: It is recommended that you bring some cash in Indonesian Rupiah. This can be used for shopping on the excursion day or to pay for additional beverages at the hotel.

• What local amenities are near the hotel?

  The Mercure Convention Centre is located within the secure Ancol area. Although it is secure, it is not advisable for participants to leave the convention centre by themselves. If you decide to leave the convention centre, please go in pairs or small groups. Take a working phone with you and let people know where you are going. Some amenities in the Ancol area:

  • Starbucks Ancol, 1 km away from Mercure. ($$)
  • Indomaret Point Ancol (Convenience Store & basic medical items), 250m away from Mercure
  • A&W Ancol Pantai Indah (Fast Food), 250m away from Mercure
  • Other various restaurants

  Participants must not leave the Ancol area (unless on an organised excursion), as a special pass is required to re-enter the area.