Indonesia Introduces New Visitor Visa Exemption

By Awang Fahrizal Bahrin

The Indonesian government recently issued Presidential Regulation No. 69 of 2015 regarding Visitor Visa Exemptions (PR 69/2015). The stated purpose of PR 69/2015 is to improve the relationship between Indonesia and other countries by waiving the visa requirement for visitors from certain countries to enter Indonesia. PR 69/2015 is also intended to benefit national development in general and the economy in particular.

Visitor visa exemptions were previously regulated under Presidential Decree No. 18 of 2003 regarding Short Visit Visa Exemptions, which has been amended several times, lastly by Presidential Regulation No. 43 of 2011 regarding the Third Amendment of Presidential Decree No. 18 of 2003 (PR 18/2003).

PR 69/2015 introduces new countries whose citizens are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa to enter Indonesia for government, educational, social and cultural, tourism, business, family, journalistic or transit purposes, and may enter Indonesia through any immigration border or checkpoint. The visitor visa exemption for foreign nationals from special countries and administrative regions listed under PR 18/2003 is also given for up to 30 days and may not be extended or converted to a different type of visa.

Below is the list of special countries and administrative regions exempted from the visitor visa requirement for government, educational, social and cultural, tourism, business, family, journalistic or transit purposes.

List of the Special Countries and Special Administrative Regions Exempted from Visitor Visa for Government, Educational, Social and Cultural, Tourism, Business, Family, Journalistic or Transit Purposes Special Countries

1. Brunei Darussalam
2. Cambodia
3. Chile
4. Ecuador
5. Laos
6. Malaysia
7. Morocco
8. Myanmar
9. Peru
10. Philippines
11. Singapore
12. Thailand
13. Vietnam

Special Administrative Regions

1. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR)
2. Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR)

PR 69/2015 revokes and replaces PR 18/2003, and has been in effect since June 10, 2015. Therefore, PR 18/2003 is no longer valid after the date of enactment of PR 69/2015. However, any visitor visa exemption granted to foreign nationals from the above listed special countries and administrative regions pursuant to PR 18/2003 before the issuance of PR 69/2015 will remain valid until its expiration.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article should not be acted upon in any specific situation without appropriate legal advice.