Tuesday, 21 June 2022, 15.00 WIB
Reporter: Ajeng Rahma Safitri
Editor: Muhammad Fijar Sulistyo
The increasing interest of international tourists to travel to Indonesia and the gradual operations of business back to normal have inevitably raised more and more questions about the provisions for entering Indonesian territory. This is understandable, bearing in mind that over the past two years there have been many changes in regulations that have taken place due to adjusting to pandemic conditions. Following are some questions from the public regarding the travel requirements of foreign nationals to enter Indonesia compiled by the editorial team of the Directorate General of Immigration:
1. I will come to Indonesia in June 2022, please advise whether health insurance/travel insurance and RT PCR test results are needed?
2. What are the travel requirements for Visa on Arrival users?
3. Can I pay for Visa on Arrival in US Dollars or other foreign currencies?
4. Can I apply for a Visa on Arrival if I enter Indonesia by land?
5. Can a foreign citizen without a state (stateless person) apply for a visa?
Responding to the questions that often pass through the Directorate General of Immigration's communication channels, the Public Relations Sub-Coordinator, Achmad Nur Saleh, gave the following complete answers:
Health Protocols are not the Authority of the Directorate General of Immigration
"This question is one of the most frequently asked on our various channels because some people might think that the health protocol for International Travelers (PPLN) is the responsibility of Immigration. However, please be advised that the most important health protocol regulators are the Covid-19 Task Force and the Ministry of Health," he explained.
Therefore, people who want to get updated information on PPLN health protocol can check the latest circular letter on this website: https://covid19.go.id/. The latest PPLN health protocol regulation to date is the Circular No. 19 of 2022 issued by the Covid-19 Task Force, which can be downloaded HERE.
As additional information, on June 8, 2022 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Circular number SE/00081/PK/06/2022/64 which is an addendum to the Covid-19 Task Force Circular No. 19/2022 on Health Protocols. In the addendum it is stated that foreigners who wish to enter the territory of the Republic of Indonesia do not need to show proof of ownership of health insurance. This policy is temporary, and will be readjusted based on the global health development.
"PPLN will also undergo a health check at the airport or seaport. It is better to prepare funds/cash for this examination process, in case you are eligible for a test," he said.
Foreigners subject to Visa on Arrival (VOA) need to ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months
Meanwhile, continued Achmad, foreigners from countries that are the subject of a Visa on Arrival must ensure that their passport validity period is at least 6 (six) months from the date of arrival in Indonesia. They are also required to show a travel ticket to leave Indonesia after their vacation is over.
VOA fee is IDR 500,000
Foreigners who wish to apply for a VOA but have not exchanged currency do not need to worry. At the arrival hall, before passing through the immigration check, they will find the Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) counter. They can exchange currency and make VOA payments at the counter.
"After that, they can proceed to the immigration check to verify the complete documents and be granted a VOA," said Achmad.
VOA is provided at several Air, Sea and Land Immigration Check Points (TPI).
On May 27, 2022, Acting Director General of Immigration, Widodo Ekatjahjana issued Circular No. IMI-0603.GR.01.01 of 2022 which provides immigration facilities to support sustainable tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the Circular, there are several TPI determined to provide Visa on Arrival facilities, namely:
Airport Immigration Checkpoints:
(a) Hang Nadim in the Riau Islands,
b) Hasanuddin in South Sulawesi,
c) Juanda in East Java,
d) Kualanamu in North Sumatra,
e) Ngurah Rai in Bali,
f) Sam Ratulangi in North Sulawesi,
g) Soekarno Hatta in DKI Jakarta,
h) Yogyakarta in DI Yogyakarta, and
i) Zainuddin Abdul Majid in West Nusa Tenggara;
(2) Seaport Immigration Checkpoints:
a) Benoa in Bali,
b) Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi in the Riau Islands,
c) Bandar Seri Udana Lobam in Riau Islands,
d) Batam Center in Riau Islands,
e) Citra Tri Tunas in Riau Islands,
f) Dumai in Riau,
g) Senimba Bay Marina in the Riau Islands,
h) Nongsa Marine Terminal in Riau Islands,
i) Sekupang in the Riau Islands,
j) Sri Bintan Pura in the Riau Islands, and
k) Tanjung Balai Karimun in the Riau Islands;
(3) Land Border Crossing Immigration Checkpoints:
a) Aruk in West Kalimantan,
b) Entikong in West Kalimantan,
c) Mota'in in East Nusa Tenggara, and
d) Tunon Taka in North Kalimantan.
A stateless foreigner can apply for a visitor visa
People who have previously applied for a visa must have seen the column "Immigration Documents (Dokim)" listed on the document upload page. Achmad explained that the Immigration Documents are passport or other documents in lieu of a passport.
"Thus, a stateless foreigner (stateless person) can apply for an Indonesian visa, as long as they have other documents recognized by the granting country as having functions like a passport. For example, there are countries where residents within their borders are not issued regular passports, but are given 'Alien Passport'. This passport can be used for visa application," Achmad explained.