Indonesia grants visa-free visits for Kazakhstani citizens

The Indonesian government has officially granted visa-free visit facilities for citizens of Kazakhstan, effective 9 July 2026. The policy is considered a strategic step to boost the tourism sector, investment, and bilateral relations, while being grounded in the principles of prudence and selectivity. “The issuance of visa-free entry for Kazakhstani citizens to Indonesia is one of the pinnacle achievements of Indonesia-Kazakhstan bilateral cooperation,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Fadjroel Rachman in a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Astana on Tuesday (14/7). The policy was also described as a milestone in Indonesia-Kazakhstan relations, which will have a significant impact on both countries. “I believe this visa-free policy will boost tourism, trade, and investment between the two richest and largest countries in Central Asia and Southeast Asia. Previously, Kazakhstan had already issued visa-free entry for Indonesian citizens,” he said. Ambassador Fadjroel estimated that the combination of agreements would increase bilateral trade between Indonesia and Kazakhstan to around USD 2 billion within the next three to five years. Currently, several other agreements in the fields of politics, economy, business, culture, and education between the two countries are also in the finalisation stage. Fadjroel invited Kazakhstani citizens to travel, trade, invest, and pursue education in Indonesia, while also encouraging Indonesian citizens to visit Kazakhstan to strengthen fraternity. The visa-free facility was enacted in the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Regulation Number 10 of 2026 concerning the Addition of the List of Countries, Special Administrative Region Governments of a Country, and Certain Entities Granted Visa-Free Visits. Through this regulation, the government added Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, the Macau Special Administrative Region (China), and Belarus as countries/regions whose citizens can enjoy visa-free visit facilities to Indonesia. Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto, in his official statement, stressed that this decision was not taken unilaterally but was the result of an in-depth evaluation referring to Presidential Regulation Number 95 of 2024 on Visa-Free Visits. “We strictly consider the principle of reciprocity, national security, the impact on the tourism sector, economic and investment potential, as well as other strategic aspects determined by the President,” he said. Minister Agus also emphasised that Indonesia does not grant visa-free facilities without due consideration. Currently, Indonesian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 88 countries worldwide. The addition of this list is expected to increase foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia while strengthening the country’s position on the global economic map.