Indonesia is currently deliberating the potential reintroduction of visa-free travel for esteemed international tourists. The policy, which had been temporarily halted since the onset of the pandemic, was formally discontinued in 2023.
At present, tourists from 97 countries are eligible for an Indonesian visa on arrival, which can be conveniently obtained at any of the country’s international airports, including Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, as well as specific seaports. Priced at IDR 500,000, the visa is valid for a duration of 30 days, enabling tourists to engage in tourism activities, attend business meetings, and visit friends and family.
While the cost of IDR 500,000 aligns with similar paid-for visa-on-arrival schemes globally, the introduction of a paid visa for Bali’s top tourists has received criticism from many Bali enthusiasts. Prior to the pandemic, tourists from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., the U.K., and various European countries were exempt from paying for a visa on arrival and were eligible for a free 30-day stay.
For those desiring a stay exceeding 30 days, up to 60 days, the option to pay for the visa on arrival to extend their stay was available.
In a recent announcement, Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, revealed the government’s exploration into reinstating legislation that would exempt the country’s top tourists from paying for a visa on arrival for tourism purposes.
The potential return of visa-free travel to Bali could prove transformative for Bali enthusiasts, particularly budget-conscious holidaymakers. Minister Uno suggests that such a move may paradoxically lead to increased tourist spending during their vacations.
According to Minister Uno, granting visa-free status to the top 20 visitor nations could generate between USD 20-25 billion (approx IDR 388 trillion) in foreign exchange.
In 2024, Bali aims to attract more high-quality, high-spending, and longer-staying tourists to the island. The 20 countries proposed for the return of visa-free travel include Australia, China (PRC), India, South Korea, the U.S.A., U.K., France, Germany, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, and two more countries in the Middle East yet to be specified.
This proposal is in addition to the nine ASEAN member nations already eligible for visa-free visits to Indonesia.
Simultaneously, as discussions about the potential reinstatement of visa-free travel gain momentum, Bali Airport is witnessing an increase in daily and weekly flight schedules. Minister Uno has confirmed additional flight services connecting tourists from Europe, the Middle East, and China to Bali.
Turkish Airlines has requested an increase in the Istanbul-Bali-Istanbul route to three times weekly, and Juneyao Airlines is set to launch the Shanghai-Bali-Shanghai route on January 20, 2024. Furthermore, there are considerations to enhance the frequency of Etihad Airlines’ Abu Dhabi-Bali-Abu Dhabi service, slated to commence in April 2024.
