Immigration Issues Special Tourist Visa Services For 23 Countries

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) has issued a regulation regarding the opening of a special tourist visa on arrival (VOA) service for 23 countries.

"This rule takes effect Monday (March 7) and is only applied to foreign tourists who will visit Bali," said Sub-Coordinator of Public Relations of the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Achmad Nur Saleh, in an official statement, as reported by Antara, Sunday, March 6.

According to Achmad, VOA services specifically for tourism can only be obtained by foreign subjects if they enter Indonesian territory through the Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali.

However, foreign tourists holding VOA special tours can still leave the territory of Indonesia through any TPI and do not have to be in Bali. Achmad said the 23 countries in question were Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines and the UK. Then there are Italy, Japan, Germany, Cambodia, Canada, South Korea, Laos and Malaysia. In addition there are Myanmar, France, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and finally Vietnam.

Achmad explained that to get a special VOA for tourism, foreigners who will visit Bali must prepare a passport that is still valid for at least six months. Then a return ticket or a canal ticket to continue the journey to another country as well as other documents required in accordance with the provisions of the COVID-19 Task Force.

Meanwhile, the rate of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) for VOA specifically for tourism is enforced in accordance with the attachment to Government Regulation Number 28 of 2019, which is Rp. 500 thousand. Please also note that a stay permit from VOA specifically for tourism is a visit stay permit (ITK), which is granted for a maximum period of 30 days and can be extended at most once.

"The stay permit from VOA specifically for tourism cannot be changed," said Achmad.

Finally, foreigners who do not use VOA specifically for tourism in accordance with the intent and purpose of providing these facilities will be subject to immigration sanctions. Likewise, if they are proven to have violated health protocols and disrupt public order, they will be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.