Visa-on-arrival for 13 nations<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has decided to allow the nationals of 13 countries
\nin Europe and the Middle East to obtain a visa-on-arrival (VOA)
\nin an effort to attract tourists to the country amid terrorism
\nfears.<\/p>\n
The decision brings the number of foreign countries to have
\nbeen granted the facility to 33.<\/p>\n
"The policy is aimed at attracting foreign tourists to visit
\nIndonesia. We have set a target of bringing in more than six
\nmillion foreign tourists this year," State Minister of Culture
\nand Tourism Jero Wacik said after a meeting at the office of the
\nCoordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.<\/p>\n
Jero said the latest bombings that rocked the Central Sulawesi
\ntown of Tentena and reports of fresh terrorist attacks against
\nforeign interests would have no impact on the tourist industry.<\/p>\n
He said the government was also in the process of granting a
\nvisa-on-arrival facility to the Netherlands and Sweden.<\/p>\n
While the minister refused to explain why the two European
\ncountries were not included on the list of countries eligible for
\nthe VOA facility, a source said the government was worried about
\nthe possible entry of South Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist
\nmembers living in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Exiled leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group are
\nliving in Sweden as asylum seekers. Indonesia has left Sweden's
\nambassadorial post vacant since last year.<\/p>\n
A visa-on-arrival will now be valid for either six or 30 days.
\nA six-day visa will cost US$10 while a 30-day visa will cost $25.<\/p>\n
Additional countries granted VOA facility<\/p>\n
India<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n
Kuwait<\/p>\n
Belgium<\/p>\n
Spain<\/p>\n
Portugal<\/p>\n
Russia<\/p>\n
Egypt<\/p>\n
Austria<\/p>\n
Ireland<\/p>\n
Qatar<\/p>\n
Greece<\/p>\n
Luxembourg<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/visa-on-arrival-for-13-nations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }