The government of Indonesia has introduced visa-free entry as part of a new regulation aimed at boosting tourism and investment in the country.
To be more precise, the government has granted visa-free entry to citizens from 13 countries, which is effective from the 29th of August, 2024. This new policy is based on Presidential Regulation (Peraturan Presiden or Perpres) Number 95 of 2024 concerning Visa-Free Visits as signed by President Joko Widodo. This regulation has also effectively replaced the previous one, Regulation Number 21 of 2016.
The 13 countries that are now granted visa-free entry to Indonesia are as follows:
- Brunei Darussalam;
- The Philippines;
- Cambodia;
- Laos;
- Malaysia;
- Myanmar;
- Singapore;
- Thailand;
- Vietnam;
- Timor-Leste (East Timor);
- Suriname;
- Colombia; and
- Hong Kong.
The provisions for the newly established visa-free entry into Indonesia, as outlined in Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the new Presidential Regulation, are based on principles of reciprocity, national security, tourism, economic and investment benefits, and other considerations determined by the President. The current regulation allows visa-free visitors to stay in Indonesia for a maximum of 30 days, though they must enter through an official immigration checkpoint. Additionally, the visa-free permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of residence permit.
As stated in Article 3 Paragraph 3 of the new Presidential Regulation: “The visit permit referred to in Paragraph 2 cannot be extended or converted into another permit.“
The Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights has been instructed by the President to evaluate the new visa-free policy at least every six months. Any changes to the list of visa-free countries, whether additions or reductions, will be determined after discussions in inter-ministerial coordination meetings.