Indonesian Immigration Issues Clarification Over New Bali Visa Changes For Tourists

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Indonesia’s top immigration official has issued a clarification over new visa changes that will merge several stay permit categories.

The move comes as the Indonesian Immigration seeks to remove any grey areas in visa policies that could allow foreigners to engage in illegal activity.

In a statement issued on social media last week, Indonesia Immigration confirmed that it will be merging visa indexes 133-110. The statement explained “Indonesia’s updated visa classifications make it easier than ever to choose the right visa for your needs. Whether you’re traveling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or government visits, the process is now more straightforward.”

Adding “This simplification aims to enhance efficacy in the visa application process. By merging similar categories, [reducing] complexity and offers a more streamlined expense for applicants.”

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The Directorate General of Immigration for Indonesia, Yuldi Yusman, has now issued clarifying statements about the most recent round of immigration optimization policies.

Yusman told reporters “One of the important breakthroughs is the issuance of C7C index visas, which is a visit visa for art, cultural activities, and skills in fields other than music. This visa allows foreign citizens (WNA) to show their skills in Indonesia, for example, magic shows, meeting fans, to cooking demonstrations by professional chefs on television.”

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He also revealed that there is a series of new visa indexes that will enable more foreign investors to invest in the development of the Nusantara Capital City in Kalimantan. The new visa index, E28F will be specifically for investment in the new Indonesian capital, and the E28G visa index will be available for foreign investors who are to stay in Indonesia as representatives of a patent company establishing a branch in Indonesia. 

Yusman explained “In addition, this policy significantly simplifies the work visa index, from the previous 31 types to only six types. Visas for foreign expert workers with corporate guarantors which originally consisted of 20 indices (E23B-E23W) are now combined in the E23 index.”

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Yusman confirmed that the Directorate General of Immigration has also set two new indexes in the work visa category for applicants of non-corporate guarantors; these are the E23U and E23V indexes.

This is to provide flexibility for applicants from institutions or non-corporate organizations.

Yusman added, “To get complete information regarding the latest Indonesia visa index, please check our website, immigration.go.id.”

Speaking separately the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto, told reporters “With this new policy, we want to ensure that the Indonesian immigration service is able to answer global needs as well as provide convenience for the international community who want to do legal activities in Indonesia.”

This is just the latest in a series of changes and upgrades happening at Indonesian Immigration. In recent weeks tourists have been informed of a major change to the way in which the visa on arrival can be extended. The eVoA and VoA are the most appropriate visas for almost all international holidaymakers to Bali.

The visa costs IDR 500,000 and is valid for 30 days, the visa can be extended one time for a further 30 days. In a bid to digitalise immigration services after borders reopened after the pandemic Indonesian Immigration made it possible for tourist to extend their eVoA online.

However, following a rapid rise in the number of immigration offenses, Indonesia Immigration has, as of 29th May, introduced the ‘Hybrid Application System’ whereby eVoA holders can apply for an extension online, and must attend an in-person appointment at an Immigration Office to complete documentation checks and biometric scans, and in some cases an interview, before the extension will be granted.

Tourists and travelers heading to Indonesia are advised to follow the Indonesia Immigration Instagram account where regular immigration news is shared, as well as tips and advice regarding applications.

The account published content in English.