In an effort to enhance the immigration services in Indonesia, Director General Silmy Karim is spearheading a mission to establish a world-class immigration system that caters to the needs of Indonesian citizens, expatriates, and tourists. Over the past few months, the Department of Immigration has unveiled a series of innovative services, visas, and strategies, with the latest being the launch of an online visa permit extension service.
Online Visa Permit Extension Service
Director General Silmy Karim recently announced a significant development in Indonesia’s immigration services—the launch of an online visa permit extension service accessible via the official website evisa.imigration.go.id. This initiative aims to simplify and expedite the stay permit extension process, eliminating the need for foreigners to physically visit the immigration office.
How it Works
Foreigners can now apply for and extend visas online, starting from the application process to receiving the stay permit directly in their email inbox. This digital transformation allows for a seamless and convenient experience for foreigners in Indonesia.
Eligible Visas
The online extension service covers various visas, including those for holidays, family visits, transit, medical treatments, foreign government official trips, short courses, training, and international exhibitions.
- Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA), which is valid for 30 days and extendable for another 30 days.
- Visitor Visa, which is a single-entry visa for tourism, government visit, business meeting, goods purchasing, or transit only.
- Limited Stay Visa/Permit, which requires an eVisa recommendation from the relevant department.
Implementation Date
This new feature, after successful trials, officially launched on December 31, 2023. Foreigners can now enjoy a more comfortable and practical approach to processing their visas and residence permits in Indonesia.
Tourists, business travelers, and expatriates in Bali can anticipate further updates to the immigration system in 2024. The recent introduction of the 5-year multiple-entry visas (D1 and D2) for tourism and business purposes is a significant enhancement over the previous one-year B211a visas.
The New D1 and D2 Visas
The D1 and D2 visas, available for online application on visa.imigration.go.id, are designed for travelers visiting for social and tourism purposes (D1) and those participating in business activities in Indonesia, such as conferences and events (D2).
Priced at IDR 15,000,000 (approx USD 970), these visas offer unlimited entries and remain valid for five years, providing a more flexible and cost-effective option for travelers.
Silmy Karim emphasized that the Directorate General of Immigration is committed to simplifying the visa application process online, aligning with the President’s directive to enhance services through digitalization.
For tourists heading to Bali, applying for a tourism visa before arrival is encouraged. The eVisa on Arrival is available for travelers from 97 countries, costing IDR 500,000, with a validity of 30 days and an option to extend online or at immigration for an additional 30 days.
While there have been discussions about the potential return of visa-free travel for Bali’s top foreign arrivals, no legislative changes have been implemented at this time.
Conclusion
The ongoing efforts by the Directorate General of Immigration to digitize and improve services reflect a commitment to providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience for foreigners in Indonesia. Stay updated on the latest developments to make the most of the streamlined visa application processes and services available online.
Source: The Bali Sun
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