No more quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers entering Indonesia from 21 March

Effective 22 March, a special visit-free visa also applies to tourists from Singapore and ASEAN countries with permanent residency or citizenship in Singapore, entering the Riau Islands through selected immigration checkpoints.

Indonesia has removed its quarantine requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers entering the country, effective 21 March 2022 (Monday).

According to Reuters, this was announced by Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, at a press conference on Monday. As quoted in the report, the minister said: "With the handling of the pandemic more controlled ...today we announce that the policy of no quarantine has been expanded across Indonesia."

However, a negative COVID-19 test would still be required, and detailed regulations on this are expected to be published today (Tuesday, 22 March), he was cited as saying.

In similar travel updates, the Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, has expanded the list of countries/regions from which tourists can enter Bali via a Special Tourism Visa on Arrival (VOA) arrangement.

From the previous 23, the list now consists of 42 countries/regions, and the arrangement only applies to foreigners landing in Bali and the Riau Islands. The full list is as follows:

1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Belgium
4. Brazil
5. Brunei Darussalam
6. Cambodia
7. Canada
8. China
9. Denmark
10. England
11. Finland
12. France
13. Germany
14. Hungary
15. India
16. Italy
17. Japan
18. Laos
19. Malaysia
20. Mexico
21. Myanmar
22. New Zealand
23. Norway
24. Poland
25. Qatar
26. Saudi Arabia
27. Seychelles
28. Singapore
29. South Africa
30. South Korea
31. Spain
32. Sweden
33. Switzerland
34. Taiwan
35. Thailand
36. The Netherlands
37. The Philippines
38. Tunisia
39. Turkey
40. United Arab Emirates
41. United States
42. Vietnam

The following requirements apply for entry via the Special Tourism VOA, to be presented at the immigration counter:

1. A passport that is valid for at least six months,
2. A return ticket or a transit ticket to continue travelling to another country, and
3. Other relevant documents required by the COVID-19 taskforce, including RT-PCR test results, COVID-19 vaccination certificates, and proof of accommodation/hotel payments.

A non-tax revenue (PNBP) tariff of IDR500,000 will apply.

In line with this, Acting Director-General of Immigration, Widodo Ekatjahjana has issued a Circular which regulates immigration facilities through the opening of visa-free visits (BVK) and a VOA, specifically for tourism in the Riau Islands effective 22 March.

The BVK specifically applies to tourists from Singapore and ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) with permanent residency or citizenship in Singapore, entering the Riau Islands through the following immigration checkpoints:

Batam
⦁ Nongsa Terminal Bahari;
⦁ Batam Centre;
⦁ Sekupang;
⦁ Citra Tri Tunas, and
⦁ Marina Teluk Senimba

Tanjung Uban
⦁ Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi;
⦁ Bandar Seri Udana Lobam, and

Tanjung Pinang
⦁ Sri Bintan Pura

These tourists, upon meeting the relevant requirements, will need to provide the following documents at the checkpoint:

• A national passport with at least six months' validity,
• A return/one-way ticket to continue the journey to another country,
• Proof of health insurance ownership,
• Proof of accommodation confirmation, and
• Singapore PR proof (except for Singapore citizens).

The Special BVK for tourism will be given via a sign-in by the immigration officer and will be valid as a Visit Stay permit with a maximum period of 14 days. This cannot be extended. 

Image / 123RF

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