Date Set for Visa Plan

 
INDONESIA Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Mr Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has announced the new visa policy would be effective from February 1.

The new policy is applicable to all visitors arriving at the airports in Bali, Jakarta, Medan, Manado and Padang, as well as the seaports of Batam, Sibolga, Belawan, Jakarta, Surabaya and Jayapura.

Based on reciprocity, holders of passports from 11 countries will be visa-free for 30 days. These countries are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

Turkey was initially included in the above, but since the country withdrew the visa-free facility for Indonesians recently, it lost its privilege and was replaced by Vietnam.

Passport holders for a further 21 countries will be able to apply for a visa on arrival. These countries are Australia, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

The visa on arrival costs US$25 for a 30-day visit and Mr Mahendra said the process would take seven minutes.

Visitors from other countries will have to apply for a visa in their nearest Indonesia embassies and consulates before coming to Indonesia.