Indonesia May Extend visa-free entry for Indian tourists, including 20 countries

Indonesia is contemplating the possibility of offering visa-free entry to citizens from 20 countries, including India, the United States, China, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Britain, and France. This initiative will be a part of a plan that is looked upon to stimulate tourism and provide a boost to the economy. The country’s Tourism Minister Sandiago Uno recently announced the development.

If reports are to go by, the list of countries will likely be finalised within the next month. Indonesia’s Tourism Minister further added that the government has provided directives to explore the option of a visa waiver with the overarching goal of enhancing economic growth, attracting more tourists, and fostering increased foreign investment.

If we go by pre-pandemic statistics from 2019, it can be seen that Indonesia welcomed more than 16 million foreign visitors. In the current year, from January to October, the country experienced a noteworthy surge in foreign arrivals, totaling 9.49 million visitors—a substantial 124.3% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Following a global trend, both Thailand and, more recently, Malaysia also implemented visa waivers for visitors from China and India. Moreover, in September, Indonesia unveiled a golden visa program designed to entice foreign individuals and corporate investors.

According to Silmy Karim, Director-General of immigration, the golden visa entails the issuance of a residence permit lasting between five to ten years.

To qualify for the 5-year visa, an individual must establish a company valued at $2.5 million, while a $5 million investment is required for those seeking a ten-year visa. Corporate investors aiming for five-year visas for directors and commissioners are obligated to invest $25 million, with the investment doubling to $50 million for a 10-year visa.

As reported earlier, Vietnam is also in line to consider the possibility of introducing visa-free entry for Indian tourists as part of its efforts to boost its tourism sector. Nguyn Van Jung, Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, is pushing for short-term visa waivers for key markets, including China and India. This initiative will provide the required boost to recover the country’s tourism industry.