Directorate General Of Immigration: Foreign Tourists Can Come To Indonesia Via Bali-Riau islands

DENPASAR - Director of Immigration Traffic at the Directorate General of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Amran Aris said that the government had allowed foreign tourists to come to Indonesia through two entrances, namely Bali and the Riau Islands (Kepri).

"Foreigners who come on tourist visas don't have to go through Bali, they can go through other areas, for example, if they want to stop by Labuan Bajo," Amran said, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 5.

He said foreign tourists with tourist visit visas B211A who came to Bali and Riau Islands were allowed to visit other areas and return to their countries from the Immigration Checkpoints (TPI) in those areas.

Amran explained that the mechanism for issuing visas for tourism is an agreement from all parties. Basically, the Directorate General of Immigration follows the Menkumham Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and the SE Task Force for Handling Covid-19 No. 4 Year 2022.

"In terms of health insurance, for example, based on the agreement of the relevant ministries and institutions, foreigners are asked to have health insurance, taking into account the risks," said Amran.

From the evaluation results, the amount of health insurance coverage is one of the obstacles for potential foreign tourists who will travel to Bali. Therefore, the value of the health insurance coverage was adjusted, from USD 100.000 to USD 25.000.

He said it is necessary to have proof of health insurance to be prepared when foreigners arrive in Bali so that it can be shown during document examination.

Meanwhile, regarding tourist visit visas received by foreigners and guarantors, they will have a duration of stay of 60 days in Indonesia and can be extended to a maximum of six months in total in Indonesia.

"For example, a foreign tourist visits another area, it can be extended by applying for a Visit Stay Permit (ITK) at the local immigration office," he continued.

As for the use of e-Visas, in the period 15 October 2021 – 28 January 2022, a total of 273 Electronic Visas (e-Visas) for Tourist Visits were issued to foreigners to be able to travel to Bali and the Riau Islands.

The highest number of travelers came from India with 47 people, followed by France with 42, South Korea with 20, Spain with 17, and Sweden with 16.

His party explained several requirements for applying for a B211A tourist visit visa to Bali and Riau Islands including having a valid passport and still valid for at least six months, a guarantee letter from the guarantor, proof of having living expenses for himself and/or his family while in Indonesian territory in the form of an account, passbooks or deposits for the last three months.

In addition, attaching proof of ownership of funds can use the property of a foreigner or guarantor, with a minimum balance amounting to the equivalent of 2.000 US Dollars, a return ticket or a canal ticket to continue the journey to another country, proof of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccination, a statement of willingness to comply with all health protocol in Indonesia.

Another requirement is to have proof of ownership of health insurance/travel insurance that includes coverage for health costs, or a statement that you are willing to pay the costs independently if you are exposed to COVID-19 while in Indonesia.