Indonesia: Minister of Law and Human Rights issued a regulation allowing foreigners to enter Indonesia with certain requirements

In brief

Over the past few weeks, the Indonesian Government has been reducing the level of Enforcement of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in various regions within Indonesia. In light of this, and to further support Indonesia's economic recovery, the Minister of Law and Human Rights (MOLHR) issued Regulation No. 34 of 2021 on Granting of Immigration Visas and Stay Permits during COVID-19 Spread Handling and National Economic Recovery ("Regulation 34") on 15 September 2021.

Regulation 34, which is effective as of 15 September 2021, revokes MOLHR Regulation No. 27 of 2021 on Restrictions for Foreigners to Enter Indonesian Territory during the Emergency Enforcement of Public Activity Restrictions.


Key Changes

Criteria For Entering Indonesia

Before the issuance of Regulation 34, even foreigners who already held Visit Visas or Limited Stay Visas (VITAS) were not permitted to enter Indonesia. This has now changed with the issuance of Regulation 34, which allows the following foreigners to enter Indonesia as long as they can fulfill certain health protocols determined by the relevant authorities:

  1. service visa holders
  2. diplomatic visa holders
  3. visit visa holders
  4. VITAS holders
  5. service stay permit holders
  6. diplomatic stay permit holders
  7. limited stay permit (ITAS) holders
  8. permanent stay permit (ITAP) holders
  9. conveyance crews
  10. APEC card holders
  11. traditional border crossers

Foreigners coming from outside Indonesia must carry with them valid negative COVID-19 RT-PCR results and evidence of having completed the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. But this requirement does not apply for foreign conveyance crew members entering Indonesia using yachts. In addition, foreigners under the age of 12 are also exempt from the obligation to have evidence of having completed the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Indonesian Government can deny foreigners entry to Indonesia if they are coming from countries with a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.

Granting of Visas

The granting of Visa Free Facilities and Visas on Arrival continues to be temporarily suspended until the Indonesian Government declares that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

A sponsor of a foreigner may apply for a Visit Visa and VITAS to the Director General of Immigration based on the activities to be carried out by the foreigner in Indonesia in line with the applicable laws and regulations. Applications can be submitted electronically along with the following documents:

  • evidence of having completed the full dose of COVID-19 vaccine
  • statement letter of willingness to comply with all applicable health protocols in Indonesia
  • evidence of having health insurance/travel insurance and/or statement letter of willingness to pay independently if affected by COVID-19 while in Indonesia

Granting of New Stay Permits

Stay permit holders who are currently in Indonesia and unable to return to their home country can be granted a new stay permit after obtaining a new Visit Visa or VITAS (as applicable). The foreigners' sponsors need to submit the relevant application to the Director General of Immigration electronically.

Once issued, the new Visit Visa will serve as a visitor stay permit for the foreigner. If the foreigner is granted a VITAS, the ITAS (which is usually issued upon the foreigner's arrival in Indonesia) will be issued after the foreigner reports himself/herself to the relevant Local Immigration Office where he/she resides in Indonesia.

View Japanese Version (日本語版)

LOGO_Indonesia HHP Law Firm_Jakarta

This client alert was issued by HHP Law Firm (Hadiputranto, Hadinoto & Partners), a member firm of Baker McKenzie International, a global law firm with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a "partner" means a person who is a partner or equivalent in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an "office" means an office of any such law firm. This may qualify as "Attorney Advertising" requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome."


Copyright © 2024 Baker & McKenzie. All rights reserved. Ownership: This documentation and content (Content) is a proprietary resource owned exclusively by Baker McKenzie (meaning Baker & McKenzie International and its member firms). The Content is protected under international copyright conventions. Use of this Content does not of itself create a contractual relationship, nor any attorney/client relationship, between Baker McKenzie and any person. Non-reliance and exclusion: All Content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal and regulatory developments. All summaries of the laws, regulations and practice are subject to change. The Content is not offered as legal or professional advice for any specific matter. It is not intended to be a substitute for reference to (and compliance with) the detailed provisions of applicable laws, rules, regulations or forms. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any action or refraining from taking any action based on any Content. Baker McKenzie and the editors and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the Content. The Content may contain links to external websites and external websites may link to the Content. Baker McKenzie is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites and disclaims all liability, howsoever occurring, in respect of the content or operation of any such external websites. Attorney Advertising: This Content may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. To the extent that this Content may qualify as Attorney Advertising, PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. Reproduction: Reproduction of reasonable portions of the Content is permitted provided that (i) such reproductions are made available free of charge and for non-commercial purposes, (ii) such reproductions are properly attributed to Baker McKenzie, (iii) the portion of the Content being reproduced is not altered or made available in a manner that modifies the Content or presents the Content being reproduced in a false light and (iv) notice is made to the disclaimers included on the Content. The permission to re-copy does not allow for incorporation of any substantial portion of the Content in any work or publication, whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form or for commercial purposes.