Law and Human Rights Ministry relaxes foreign arrival ban with the latest regulation

Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta ● Sun, September 19, 2021 Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna
Laoly has issued an updated regulation on immigration visa and stay permit issuance as part of
Indonesia’s bid to contain COVID-19 and accelerate the national economic recovery. With the regulation
issued on Wednesday, the previous restrictions on foreign nationals wishing to enter Indonesia based on
Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation No. 27/2021 have been annulled. Directorate General of
Immigration head of public relations and general affairs Arya Pradhana Anggakara explained the new
Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation No. 34/2021 allowed foreign nationals who held a valid
visa or stay permit to travel to Indonesia. “Previously, Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation No.
27/2021 stated that foreign nationals could not enter Indonesia, except for work and diplomatic visa
holders. Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation No. 34/2021 reopens access for foreign nationals
who have obtained a visit visa or limited stay visa,” he said. Along with visa holders, foreign nationals
allowed to enter Indonesia include diplomatic and service stay permit holders, limited stay (ITAS) and
permanent stay (ITAP) permit holders, APEC Business Travel Card holders, cross-border pass holders,
and transportation crews arriving with their cargo. “These subjects may enter Indonesia through certain
Immigration Border Control Offices (TPIs) after fulfilling COVID-19 health protocols as mandated in the
law.” Offshore visa services have also resumed, and visa approval requests can be submitted online via
visa-online.imigrasi.go.id, while work visa requests can be made through tka-online.kemnaker.go.id. “It
should be noted that there are additional requirements that need to be satisfied in advance, including a
COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, a statement letter agreeing to submit to Indonesian health
protocols, and proof of medical or travel insurance. Suppose the foreign national does not possess
health insurance. In that case, they must include a statement agreeing to cover their medical expenses
should they be exposed to COVID-19 during their stay in Indonesia," Angga explained. Along with
amending the entry policy and visa service, Law and Human Rights Ministerial Regulation No. 34/2021
also allows the government to deny entry to foreign nationals arriving from certain countries with high
rates of COVID-19. The ban is based on information from ministries or institutions responsible for the
handling of COVID-19.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/adv/2021/09/19/law-and-human-rights-ministry-relaxes-foreign-
arrival-ban-with-the-latest-regulation.html