Indonesia restores visa-free visit policy for Southeast Asian countries

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s Terminal 3 arrival section in November 2019. Photo: Nadia Vetta Hamid for Coconuts Media
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s Terminal 3 arrival section in November 2019. Photo: Nadia Vetta Hamid for Coconuts Media

Amid the steady decline of COVID-19 cases, the Indonesian government has reinstated its visa-free visit policy for Southeast Asian countries following the relaxation of international travel restrictions.

Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said at a press conference broadcasted live on YouTube yesterday that the policy was restored upon President Joko Widodo’s orders.

“As directed by the president, visas for the ASEAN region will be visa-free again, and [citizens of] other countries [will have to apply for] visa on arrival,” Airlangga said.

Citizens of ASEAN member states are typically granted visa exemption. That said, Indonesia halted the policy as well as granting visa on arrival (VOA) in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government has also reopened international routes at several airports such as Yogyakarta International Airport, Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, and Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru. Details regarding international arrivals as well as other loosened travel restrictions will be included in an upcoming circular issued by the National COVID-19 Task Force.

All travelers entering Indonesia are required to show their proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test result taken at least 48 hours prior to their arrival. They will only be asked to take another PCR test if recorded with a high temperature.



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