According to recent reports, Indonesia has made key changes in its visa-free policy. Approximately 159 nations have been suspended with only the exemption of 9 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The suspension is temporary and seeks to alleviate some concerns linked to disease transmission and disruptions in public order. Some of the exempted nations include Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued the order, which was then reported by the English daily Bali Times. The order seeks to prevent disease transmissions from nations that are not certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as disease-free.
Visitors coming from ASEAN nations are permitted stay in Indonesia for a period of 30 days with only a passport and a verified ticket of departure. If the visitors want to extend their stay in the country, they will be required to apply for Indonesia immigration visas like Visit Visa, Limited Stay Visa and e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival).
The government officials have not confirmed the length of the visa-free suspension. However, they have reported that they are open to reopening borders for international travelers; it’s still unclear when this will happen.
There have been concerns that the suspension will significantly affect Indonesia’s tourism industry which is still in the post-recovery stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors to Indonesia have been urged to confirm travel to the country before making any travel arrangements.
International travelers from the 159 countries are required to make visa applications and they can only be allowed entry to the archipelago once their visa documents are approved. It is possible that entry conditions to Indonesia will change and regular monitoring is essential.
Visitors from the ASEAN nations can familiarize themselves with the procedures related to visa applications if they are looking to extend their duration. The timely application will be key if they want their applications to go through.