Indonesia Proposes New Regulations for Visa Onshore Application and Visa Exemptions

Indonesia Proposes New Regulations for Visa Onshore Application and Visa Exemptions

Overview of the visa application process in Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in various aspects of life, including travel and immigration procedures.
Since 2021, Indonesian Immigration has issued several additional regulations regarding visas and residence permits for foreigners willing to enter the country. An online visa application scheme was released to accommodate the easy process of getting a visa to Indonesia.
However, recent developments indicate that some services might undergo massive amendments.
This article discusses the recent updates about upcoming visa regulations coming around the middle starter of 2023.

Visa Online Onshore Disablement

Visa Onshore is a way of applying for a visa that serves as a residence permit for foreigners already in Indonesian territory.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the concept of visa online onshore application did not exist in Indonesia. These measures were to respond to the lockdown regulation, allowing individuals to apply for visas within Indonesia to repress international traffic in and out of the country.
However, with the pandemic situation gradually improving and restrictions revoked, the immigration authorities have decided to deactivate the online process for the onshore visa application process.
Immigration proposes to abolish the online onshore visa application policy that would require foreigners to continue the visa application process in their respective countries (offshore). Despite the changes in visa regulations, the option to change the status from B211A (visitor visa) to ITAS (Limited Stay Permit) will still be available.
This process existed even before the pandemic and will continue to be a viable option for individuals who wish to extend their stay in Indonesia.

Free Visas are unavailable for these 159 countries

Visa exemption regulation in Indonesia refers to the policy that allows citizens of certain countries to enter and stay in Indonesia for a specified period without the need to obtain a visa beforehand. Under this regulation, eligible countries are granted a visa exemption and are permitted to engage in various activities such as tourism, business meetings, or attending conferences and seminars.
During the pandemic, Visa exemption (Free Visa) in Indonesia has undergone a temporary suspension for a total of 169 countries. This temporary suspension reflects the Indonesian government’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens and visitors.
The following list shows a total of 159 countries which are still suspended from using the Free Visa scheme based on the new Circular Letter M.HH-01.GR.01.07 Year 2023:

  1. Albania​
  2. Algeria
  3. Andorra
  4. Angola
  5. Antigua and Barbuda
  6. Argentina
  7. Armenia
  8. Australia
  9. Austria
  10. Azerbaijan
  11. Bahamas
  12. Bahrain
  13. Bangladesh
  14. Barbados
  15. Belarus
  16. Belgium
  17. Belize
  18. Benin
  19. Bhutan
  20. Bolivia
  21. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  22. Botswana
  23. Brazil
  24. Bulgaria
  25. Burkina Faso
  26. Burundi
  27. Canada
  28. Cape Verde
  29. Chad
  30. Chile
  31. Commonwealth of Dominica
  32. Comoros
  33. Costa Rica
  34. Cote D’Ivoire
  35. Croatia
  36. Cuba
  37. Cyprus
  38. Czech Republic
  39. Denmark
  40. Dominican Republic
  41. Ecuador
  42. Egypt
  43. El Salvador
  44. Estonia
  45. Fiji
  46. Finland
  47. France
  48. Gabon
  49. Gambia
  50. Georgia
  51. Germany
  52. Ghana
  53. Greece
  54. Grenada
  55. Guatemala
  56. Guyana
  57. Haiti
  58. Honduras
  59. Hong Kong SAR
  60. Hungary
  61. Iceland
  62. India
  63. Ireland
  64. Italy
  65. Jamaica
  66. Japan
  67. Jordan
  68. Kazakhstan
  69. Kenya
  70. Kiribati
  71. Kuwait
  72. Kyrgyzstan
  73. Latvia
  74. Lebanon
  75. Lesotho
  76. Liechtenstein
  77. Lithuania
  78. Luxembourg
  79. Macau SAR
  80. Macedonia
  81. Madagascar
  82. Malawi
  83. Maldives
  84. Mali
  85. Malta
  86. Marshall Islands
  87. Mauritania
  88. Mauritius
  89. Mexico
  90. Moldova
  91. Monaco
  92. Mongolia
  93. Morocco
  94. Mozambique
  95. Namibia
  96. Nauru
  97. Nepal
  98. Netherlands
  99. New Zealand
  100. Nicaragua
  101. Norway
  102. Oman
  103. Palau
  104. Palestine
  105. Panama
  106. Papua New Guinea
  107. Paraguay
  108. Peru
  109. Poland
  110. Portugal
  111. Puerto Rico
  112. Qatar
  113. Romania
  114. Russia
  115. Rwanda
  116. Samoa
  117. San Marino
  118. Sao Tome and Principe
  119. Saudi Arabia
  120. Senegal
  121. Serbia
  122. Seychelles
  123. Slovakia
  124. Slovenia
  125. Solomon Island
  126. South Africa
  127. South Korea
  128. Spain
  129. Sri Lanka
  130. St Kitts and Nevis
  131. St Lucia
  132. St Vincent and Grenadines
  133. Suriname
  134. Swaziland
  135. Sweden
  136. Switzerland
  137. Taiwan
  138. Tajikistan
  139. Tanzania
  140. Thailand
  141. Togo
  142. Tonga
  143. Trinidad & Tobago
  144. Tunisia
  145. Turkey
  146. Turkmenistan
  147. Tuvalu
  148. Uganda
  149. Ukraine
  150. United Arab Emirates
  151. United Kingdom
  152. Uruguay
  153. USA
  154. Uzbekistan
  155. Vanuatu
  156. Vatican City
  157. Venezuela
  158. Zambia
  159. Zimbabwe

Changes in Visa Health Requirements

As we are slightly surpassing the pandemic situation, the need to provide additional documents such as vaccination certificates and health insurance is proposed to no longer be mandatory for visa applications.

When will the regulations become effective?

While the regulations have been proposed, it may take some time for the immigration authorities to update the other regulations accordingly.
There may be a new circular issued by the immigration authorities in the near future. This circular could provide further guidance and updates on visa regulations, including any changes to the visa application process or requirements.
Therefore, it is important to keep updated and stay on top of the Indonesian visa regulations. Check out our articles to understand the latest visa updates in Indonesia.

Want to know more? Then check out our useful guides below by clicking the links:

Company Establishment in Indonesia – Your questions answered

Registering a Trademark in Indonesia – How to protect your business

Business Establishment – The Process and Requirements

How to Establish a PT PMA in Indonesia: 5 Tips to Own A Foreign-owned Company At Ease

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