More VOA Countries and Longer Stays? But When?

(6/5/2005)

During the TOURCOM Asia-Pacific Conference held in Bali, in late May 2005, Udin Saifuddin, Deputy for Marketing at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism told the press that sometime soon – perhaps in the next three to four months – a Presidential decree will be issued adding between 12 to 16 new countries to the existing 21 now eligible to purchase a visa-on-arrival in Indonesia.

While specifics on exactly which countries will be added to the facility are scarce – those widely mentioned for the expanded privilege are India, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Austria.

Longer Stays?

Also rumored to be included in the promised Presidential decree on immigration policy is an extension to the present validity period for visas-on-arrivals. Observers are hopeful that the President will extend the 30 day US$25 visa to 60 days and the 3 day US$10 visa to 10 days.

Rumored changes to the visa policy have been constantly in play since early 2005 when changes were promised by tourism official to occur sometime during the first quarter of the year.

While the promised dates for changes have come and gone, the rumors regarding an eventual easing in tourist visa policies persist, with the continuing delay in their implementation fueling speculation that there are members within the Presidential Cabinet resisting any change to the current policy.