In order to prevent the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) from spreading further into the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Government has immediately enacted a number of policies concerning travel.
On 20 March 2020, the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights (鈥�MOLHR鈥�) Number 8 of 2020 on Temporary Suspension of Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival as well as Granting of Emergency Stay Permit (鈥�Regulation 8/2020鈥�), as the additional regulation to MOLHR Regulation No. 7/2020 on Visa and Stay Permit Granting in Efforts to Prevent Coronavirus Outbreak (鈥�Regulation 7/2020鈥�).
Given the increasing number of countries affected by the COVID-19 and that the provisions in Regulation 7/2020 only applies to Chinese citizens and other foreign citizens from China, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has therefore issued such regulation.
The Regulation 8/2020 stipulates that the granting provisions are applied 鈥�mutatis mutandis鈥� (meaning that it makes all the necessary relevant changes, i.e. replacing 鈥楥hina鈥� with 'any affected countries') to Regulation 7/2020.
Under the Regulation 8/2020, the additional provisions in the restrictions on granting Visas and Stay Permits are enforced as follows:
- Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival
With the issuance of this regulation, the Visa Exemption program and Visa on Arrival program are now temporarily suspended for any foreign citizens from any countries.
- Visit Visa and Limited-Stay Visa
The arrangement to obtain a Visit Visa and Limited-Stay Visa also now applies to any foreign citizens who submit visa applications at an Indonesian Representative in any country by providing required documents as mentioned below in point No. 2.
- Emergency Permit
For any foreign citizens who are currently in Indonesia and affected by a Lockdown policy from a country so they are unable to fulfill immigration procedures, then may be granted an/a:- Emergency Stay Permit
- KITAS
- KITAP
- Re-Entry
- Permit Entry Permit
For foreigners who are subject to Visit Visa on Arrival may still be granted for applying their visa at the Indonesian Representative in any country and shall meet the following requirements:
- A certificate of health stating that the applicant is free from the coronavirus, issued by the local state health authority in the English language;
- A statement that the applicant has stayed for 14 (fourteen) days in the territory of China that are declared free from coronavirus;
- A statement of willingness to be quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days to be carried out by the Indonesian Government; or
Meanwhile, the Regulation 7/2020 specifically addresses restrictions on granting Visas and Stay Permits for Chinese citizens and other foreign citizens who have stayed in China with the following provisions:
- Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival
The granting of Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival are temporarily suspended for foreigners who have stayed in and/or visited China within 14 (fourteen) days prior to entering the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.
- Visit Visa and Limited-Stay Visa
Visit Visa and Limited-Stay Visa may still be granted to any foreign citizens applying for a visa to Foreign Officials at the Indonesian Representative in China as long as the applicant is able to provide these required documents:
- A certificate of health stating that the applicant is free from the coronavirus, issued by the local state health authority in the English language;
- A statement that the applicant has stayed for 14 (fourteen) days in the territory of China that are declared free from coronavirus;
- A statement of willingness to be quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days to be carried out by the Indonesian Government; or
- A statement of willingness to stop by/transit for 14 (fourteen) days in another country that is free from the coronavirus before entering the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.
- Emergency Stay Permit
In the event of a coronavirus outbreaks as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in the absence of any transportation available for travel from Indonesia to China, an Emergency Stay Permit may be granted.
The guarantors or foreigners must submit an application along with the required documents provided by the Immigration Office.
- KITAS and KITAP
Chinese citizens holding Indonesian Limited Stay Permits (KITAS) may be granted a KITAS extension after obtaining a recommendation letter or a notice statement from the authorized government institution, as long as the validity of their current KITAS has not exceeded 6 (six) years. Meanwhile, for an Indonesian Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP) holder may be granted a Re-Entry Permit in emergency situations by submitting an application to Immigration Officials at the Indonesian Representative abroad.
The guarantor(s) may submit a Stay Permit extension for any foreign citizens who hold a KITAS or KITAP who are in China to the Head of the Immigration Office without the presence of the applicant(s) by providing a recommendation letter or a notice statement from the authorized government institution.
- Granting an Entry Stamp
It is important to note that all applicants under this regulation will first undergo a health examination once they have arrived in Indonesia prior to being granted an Immigration Entry Stamp. If the health examination has proven that the applicant(s) are infected with COVID-19, the Immigration Officer at the Immigration Checkpoint or other places will deny entry to the applicants.
In conclusion, this limitation to the granting of Visa and Stay Permit for any foreign citizens from any countries aims to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.
Interested to know more?
Please contact:
Ms. Cassandra Ismail : cassandra(at)ekonid.id
Ms. Indah Lestari : indah(at)ekonid.id
Mr. Kefin Fariz : kefin.fariz(at)ekonid.id