Visa Laws Set to Relax under Immigration, Foreign Affairs Ministry Plan

VISA REQUIREMENTS and stay permit application procedures will be eased for foreign experts and investors under a plan announced Tuesday, August 8, in a joint statement provided by immigration officials and the foreign affairs ministry.

Immigration Chief Ronny F. Sompie said the changes will allow for online applications and streamlining of existing services, according to a report from state news agency Antara.

“We are in the process of designing the paperless system for the forthcoming services. Hence, instead of sending mail to the Immigration Office, the applicants can submit their documents online to apply for new or extension of visa and stay permits,” Sompie said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Immigration officials hosted a meeting in Central Jakarta to explain the changes to 124 countries and agencies with nationals and staff based in Indonesia.

“Besides informing them about the policies and measures, the meeting also aimed to discuss several cases, such as law violations committed by the foreigners living in the country. Several issues, including terrorism, human-trafficking, fraud, and cybercrime still pose a challenge not only to the embassy and the consular affairs, but also to the foreign affairs ministry, the immigration office, the national police, the counter-terrorism agency (BNPT), as well as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK),” he added, according to Antara.