Starting April 2, 2020, Indonesia will temporarily stop all foreign visitors from entering or transiting in Indonesia in order to prevent any further imported cases of COVID-19.
Announced on March 31, 2020, by the Directorate General of Immigration Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Ministry of Law and Human Right Regulation (MoLHR) No. 11/2020 on the Temporary Prohibition of Foreigners Entering the Territory of the Republic of Indonesia effectively revokes the previous Ministry of Law and Human Right Regulation number 7 and 8 of 2020, which limited or revoked the granting of visa only to a select category of foreign travelers.
鈥淭he President has decided that the current policies needed to be strengthened [鈥, and so it was decided that all visits and transiting by foreign citizens to Indonesia will be temporarily stopped,鈥� Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a March 31 Cabinet meeting in Jakarta, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.
The prohibition applies to all Foreigners with six exceptions:
- Foreign Holders of Limited Stay Permits and Permanent Stay Permits;
- Foreign Diplomatic Visa and Service Visa Holders;
- Foreigners who hold Diplomatic Stay Permits and Official Stay Permits;
- Medical and food aid and support workers who are visiting under reasons of humanitarian purposes;
- Crews of conveyance in sea, air and/or land;
- Foreigners who will be working on National Strategic Projects.
Foreigners within the excluded categories above must still meet the following requirements before being allowed entry into Indonesia:
- They must obtain and hold a health certificate in English issued by the health authority of their respective country;
- Have spent 14 days in a territory or country that is free of Covid-19;
- Obtain and hold a statement of willingness to be quarantined for 14 days implemented by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.
As for foreigners who are already residing in Indonesia, MoLHR No. 11/2020 stipulates these following arrangements:
- Foreign Holders of Visit Permit (including a visa-free visit and Visa on Arrival) that has expired and/or cannot be extended through his or her residence, will be automatically given an emergency stay permit without having to submit an application to the Immigration Office, free of charge.
- Foreigners who hold Limited Stay Permits and Permanent Stay Permits that has expired and/or cannot be extended will be given a suspension and will automatically be given an emergency stay permit without having to submit an application to the Immigration Office, free of charge.
This regulation took effect on April 2, 2020, and will remain in place until the Covid-19 pandemic period has ended as stated by the relevant authorities.