The Ministry of Law and Human Rights has eased
limitations on foreign arrivals in Indonesia, enabling the reopening of
offshore visa applications as well as entrance to the nation for existing
permit holders.
Permenkumham (Ministerial Regulations) No. 34/2021 on
visa and stay permit granting during the epidemic, which replaces its previous
version with substantial lifting and relaxation of limitations, was released
yesterday by the ministry, which supervises immigration-related matters in the
country.
At the height of the country's devastating second
COVID-19 wave in July, the ministry issued Permenkumham No. 27/2021, which
limited the list of foreign arrivals ban exemptions to holders of diplomatic
visas and service visas, holders of diplomatic stay permit and service stay
permits, holders of temporary stay permits and permanent stay permits, and
foreigners on a temporary stay permit.
“Permenkumham No. 34/2021 reopens entrance to
Indonesia for foreigners who possess valid visit visas and temporary stay
visas,” said Arya Pradhana Anggakara, spokeswoman for the Immigration
Directorate General, in a news release.
While the granting of on-arrival and free visit visas
remains halted, as it has done during the pandemic, foreigners without a valid
visa or stay permit may now apply electronically from overseas. Visa
applications and work permit applications can both be submitted through this
website.
“It should be highlighted that visa applicants must
meet extra conditions. They include verification of full COVID-19 vaccination,
a letter declaring readiness to follow Indonesian health procedures, and proof
of health and travel insurance. If a foreigner does not have health insurance,
they must be prepared to pay their own medical expenditures if they get
COVID-19 in Indonesia, according to Angga.
Under the new laws, the government may opt to reject
entrance to travelers from nations with high COVID-19 transmissions on a
regular basis.