Indonesia grants ITAP and ITAS holders access to autogates at major airports, enhancing a more convenient and efficient travel experience.
As of Saturday, the 2nd of November, foreign nationals holding Permanent Stay Permits (Izin Tinggal Tetap or ITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (Izin Tinggal Terbatas or ITAS) were allowed to use immigration autogates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. According to the Directorate General of Immigration, this measure is part of an ongoing digitalisation effort to enhance service convenience and efficiency without compromising security.
Previously, autogates were only accessible to foreign nationals with e-Visas or Visa-Free Visits (Bebas Visa Kunjungan or BVK), while ITAP/ITAS holders were required to go through manual checks at dedicated counters. However, with this update, the immigration process can now be completed faster, taking only 15 to 25 seconds per individual, thanks to integrated facial recognition technology.
“The integration of the visa and stay permit issuance system with the autogate system enhances the performance of immigration services at entry points. Previously, foreign nationals holding ITAP/ITAS underwent checks at counters by officers, even though there were special counters available. Now, the experience is more streamlined, enjoyable, and highly effective,” said Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar M. Godam, in a statement to the press on Saturday.
On top of that, according to recent data from the Directorate General of Immigration, approximately 3.5 million foreign nationals passed through the autogates between January and September 2024. Currently, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has 78 operational autogates, while I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport has 90.
Godam assured prospective passengers as well as visitors that even though foreign nationals holding ITAP/ITAS can now enjoy better convenience, security remains a priority. The facial recognition technology at the autogates ensures that everyone who passes through is screened against blacklists and red notices.
“We continue to encourage efforts to attract quality foreign nationals to Indonesia, so the country benefits, especially economically. We implement visa and residence permit policies as filters, but also work to streamline processes,” concluded Godam.