Visa policy granted grace period<\/p>\n
Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is not postponing the new visa policy but is
\nmerely implementing a six-month transition period instead,
\nspokesman Ade E. Dahlan for the Directorate General of
\nImmigration at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights said on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, the transition period has been in effect since late
\nMarch, so it is not an extended delay,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The controversial decree on the new visa policy was signed on
\nMarch 31 and will be implemented in September.<\/p>\n
The new visa policy will scrap the 60-day visa-free policy
\nbecause the facility had been abused by several foreign
\nnationals. The new policy will require visitors to Indonesia to
\napply for the appropriate visa at Indonesian embassies or
\nconsulates in their respective countries.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, they can also apply for a visa on arrival,
\nwhich will charge visitors US$45 per person for each visit.<\/p>\n
\"Which countries will be given this visa-on-arrival privilege
\nwill be determined later.<\/p>\n
\"In the meantime, we're also waiting for technical guidelines
\nfrom the ministry, which are now ready. Reassessment (of the
\nguidelines) involving relevant parties will be conducted later,\"
\nAde said.<\/p>\n
The technical guidelines include regulations on those
\ncountries eligible for the visa-on-arrival facility and the
\nreciprocal visa, and will also outline the economic benefits of
\nthe new policy.<\/p>\n
Previously, Indonesia had a free visa policy for 48 countries,
\nas well as a reciprocal visa policy with 11 countries.<\/p>\n
The United States and Australian citizens were allowed to
\nenter the country freely, but the policy was not reciprocated for
\nIndonesian citizens visiting those countries.<\/p>\n
To obtain a visa from either country, an Indonesian citizen
\nmust pay about Rp 450,000 (US$55) for a visa and undergo an
\ninterview, and an application was not automatically approved.<\/p>\n
The tourism industry, which has been severely affected by last
\nyear's Bali bombing, the Iraq war and the Severe Acute
\nRespiratory Syndrome outbreak, expressed concerns over the new
\npolicy, fearing that it would greatly reduce the number of
\ntourists, particularly from countries like Japan, South Korea,
\nAustralia and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will still maintain its free visa policy for
\ncitizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the
\nPhilippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Chile, Morocco, Turkey and Peru,
\nbased on the principle of reciprocity.<\/p>\n
Before the Bali bombing, the tourism industry generated US$5.4
\nbillion in foreign exchange revenue, of which Bali contributed 30
\npercent. In 2002, tourism revenue dropped to $4.3 billion, while
\ntourist arrivals dropped from 5.15 million visitors in 2001 to
\n5.03 million in 2002.<\/p>\n
The tourism industry is the second largest non-oil and gas
\nforeign exchange earner after the textile and garment industry.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/visa-policy-granted-grace-period-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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