The Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkumham RI) has decided to temporarily suspend the visa-free visit policy (BVK) for 159 countries, as stated in the recently approved Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Decision Number M.HH-GR.01.07 of 2023 on June 7, 2023.
According to Anggiat Napitupulu, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali Province, Kemenkumham RI has confirmed the temporary suspension of the visa-free visit policy.
He clarified that the “visa-free” policy had already ceased to exist since March 2020, although protocols were followed at that time to ensure the implementation of national and international health regulations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, the BVK was granted to 169 countries before the Covid-19 pandemic, but various regulations were subsequently introduced to restrict both inbound and outbound movements of individuals to and from Indonesia, resulting in the limitation of foreign visitors and the absence of flights.
However, as the Covid-19 situation improved in March 2020, foreigners were gradually permitted to enter Indonesia through the visa on arrival (VoA) and visa-free facilities, specifically for the 10 ASEAN countries.
Anggiat further explained that circulars were issued, and as the conditions continued to improve, more countries were granted the visa on arrival privilege. By April 2023, a total of 92 countries were eligible for the visa on arrival facility. Consequently, this reinforced the notion that the visa-free facility was no longer in effect.
It should be noted that the previously mentioned 159 countries were originally part of the 169 countries listed in Presidential Regulation (PP) Number 21 of 2016, which granted visa-free visits along with the 10 ASEAN countries.
This new regulation serves to reiterate that the visa-free facility, which was initially extended to 169 countries, has now been revised to apply to only 159 countries, while the visa-free privilege for the 10 ASEAN countries remains intact.
Anggiat emphasized that the visa-free facility still applies to the 10 ASEAN countries, while the other 159 countries are no longer eligible for this benefit. Additionally, he clarified the distinction between the visa-free visit policy and the visa on arrival system, emphasizing that the visa on arrival policy remains in effect.
In conclusion, the recent decision by Kemenkumham RI to temporarily suspend the visa-free visit policy for 159 countries has been made in accordance with the evolving circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic. This step reaffirms the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens and foreign visitors while regulating the entry and exit processes in Indonesia.
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