VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government allows foreign tourists to come to Indonesia through two entrances, namely Bali and Riau Islands Provinces.

Foreign tourists having B211A visas and entering through Bali or Riau Islands are allowed to visit other areas and return to their respective countries from the Immigration Checkpoints (TPI) in those areas outside Bali and Riau Islands.

"Foreigners using tourist visas do not have to exit the country through Bali, they can leave through other areas, for example, if they also want to visit Labuan Bajo," Amran Aris, the Immigration Traffic Director of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Immigration Directorate General, said in a press release here on Saturday.

The mechanism for issuing visas for tourism is an agreement from all concerned parties, according to Aris.

Basically, the Directorate General of Immigration follows the Ministry of Law and Human Rights' Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and the circular letter No. 4 Year 2022 of the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling .

"In terms of health insurance, for example, based on the agreement of the relevant ministries and institutions, foreigners are asked to have health insurance, considering the existing risks." he added.

Based on the government's evaluation, the amount of health insurance coverage for potential foreign tourists who will travel to Indonesia, is reduced from US$100,000 to US$25,000.

He said, foreign tourists must be able to show the documents of health insurance upon their arrivals in Bali or Riau islands.

The Indonesian authorities can issue visit visas for foreigners and guarantors for a duration of stay of 60 days in Indonesia and can be extended to a maximum of six months in total.

During the 15 October 2021 – 28 January 2022 period, Indonesia had issued a total of 273 electronic visas (e-Visas) for tourist visits to Bali and the Riau Islands.

The highest number of travelers came from India with 47 people, followed by France (42), South Korea (20), Spain (17) and Sweden (16).

Among requirements for applying for a B211A tourist visit visa to Bali and Riau Islands are having a passport valid for at least next six months, a guarantee letter from a guarantor, and copies of a bank account, deposits or bank's passbook records over the last three months.

They must have a minimum balance of US$2,000, a return ticket or a canal ticket to continue the journey to another country, a health insurance coverage, a proof of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and a statement of willingness to comply with the health protocols while in Indonesia. (Antaranews)