As an immediate follow-up to prevent the spread of SARS-COV-2 B.1.1.529 from South Africa and some other countries in the world, COVID-19 Task Force issued the Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 15 of 2022 concerning Health Protocol for International Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic .
1. International Travel
Here are the new international travel regulations according to the Circular of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 15 of 2022 concerning Health Protocol for International Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic , which has been signed and came into effect since 23 March 2022:
1 | International traveler can enter Indonesia through the entry points assigned, which are:
a. Airports
i. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten;
ii. Juanda in East Java;
iii. Ngurah Rai, Bali;
iv. Hang Nadim, Riau Islands;
v. Raja Haji Fisabilillah, Riau Islands; and
vi. Sam Ratulangi in North Sulawesi.
vii. Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, West Nusa Tenggara.
b. Harbors
i. TanjungBenoa in Bali;
ii. Batam in Riau Islands;
iii. Tanjung Pinang in Riau Islands;
iv. Bintan in Riau Islands; and
v. Nunukan in North Kalimantan;
c. Cross Border State
i. Aruk in West Kalimantan;
ii. Entikong in West Kalimantan; and
iii. Motaain in East Nusa Tenggara.
2 | International travelers are permitted to enter Indonesia by continuing to take part in the strict health protocol implemented by the government.
3 | The temporary entry restriction for foreign nationals to Indonesia, both directly and transit in foreign countries, is excluded for travelers who meet the following criteria:
a) In accordance with the provisions in the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 34 of 2021 on the Granting of Visa and Immigration Stay Permits during the Mitigation of the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and National Economic Recovery;
b) According to the agreement schemes (bilateral), such as travel corridor arrangement (TCA); and/or
c) Granted special considerations/permissions in writing from the Ministry/Institution.
4 | All international travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals, must adhere to the following conditions:
a) Comply with the provisions of the health protocol set by the government;
b) Have downloaded PeduliLindungi app and filled out the Indonesian e-HAC;
c) Show cards or certificates (physical and digital) of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine which are administered 14 days before departure at the earliest as a requirement to enter Indonesia with the following conditions:
i. Indonesian citizens must show proof (physical and digital) of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement to enter Indonesia, and in the event that the Indonesian citizens have not received vaccine abroad, they will be vaccinated in the quarantine place in Indonesia after a second RT-PCR examination with negative results;
ii. Kindly note that the Indonesian government accepts all kinds of COVID-19 vaccine administered to international travelers;
iii. In the event of foreign nationals have not received vaccine abroad, they will be vaccinated in the quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia after a second RT-PCR examination with negative results, with the following conditions:
a. Foreign nationals are 6-17 years old;
b. Diplomatic residence permit and official residence permits holders; and/or
c. Limited residence card holder (KITAS) and permanent residence card holder (KITAP)
iv. Foreign nationals who are already in Indonesia and will travel, both domestically and internationally, are required to vaccinate through program schemes or mutual cooperation according to the laws and regulation;
v. Proof (physical and digital) of having received a complete dose of COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for entering Indonesia must be written in English other than the language of the country/region of origin of arrival.
d) The obligation to show proof (physical and digital) of COVID-19 vaccination certificates as requirements for entering Indonesia are excluded to:
i. Diplomatic visa holders and work visas related to official visit/state officials at the ministerial level or above and foreign nationals who entered Indonesia with the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme, according to the principle of reciprocity while implementing a strict health protocol; and
ii. Foreign nationals who have not yet received COVID-19 vaccination and intends to travel domestically and continue with the intention of following international flights out of the Republic of Indonesia are allowed not to show COVID-19 vaccination proof as long as they are not exiting the airport area during transit waiting for international flights with requirements as follows:
a. They have been permitted by the local port health office to carry out domestic travel with the intention of continuing their flight out of Indonesia; and
b. Presenting flight ticket schedules outside Indonesia for direct transit from the city of departure to the international airport in the Republic of Indonesia with the final destination to the destination country.
iii. Foreign nationals under 18 years old; and
iv. International travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that cause travelers cannot receive vaccines, with the requirements of presenting a doctor’s certificate from the State Departure Hospital which states that the concerned person has not been and/or cannot receive COVID-19 vaccination.
e) Show the negative results through the RT-PCR test in the country/region of origin with sample taken within a maximum of 2 x 24 hours before departure and attached during the health examination or on the Indonesian International e-HAC;
f) In the event of international traveler is planning to conduct a centralized quarantine by self-financing, they must show booking confirmation from the accommodation providers while in Indonesia;
g) International traveler with the status of foreign citizen must attach proof of health insurance ownership which includes financing of COVID-19 handling and medical evacuation towards a referral hospital with a minimum coverage value according to the organizers, managers, or local government;
h) International travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals, will be subjected to a body temperature check and RT-PCR examination upon arrival at the international travelers entry point;
i) After RT-PCR sampling upon arrival, the international travelers may continue with:
i. Inspection of immigration documents and customs documents;
ii. Baggage collection and baggage disinfection;
iii. Pick up and drop off directly to the hotel, lodging accommodation, or place of residence;
iv. Waiting for the results of the RT-PCR examination in hotel rooms, rooms at lodging accommodations, or places of residence; and
v. It is not allowed to leave the hotel room or accommodation room before the RT-PCR test results show a negative result.
j) In the event that the results of the RT-PCR examination upon arrival at the entry point as referred to in letter h show negative results, then it will be followed up with the following provisions:
i. For international travelers who have not yet received vaccination or have received the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 (fourteen) days before departure must undergo 5 x 24 hours quarantine with mandatory RT-PCR test on day 4;
ii. For international travelers who have received the 2nd or 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 (fourteen) days before departure are allowed to resume their travel;
iii. For international travelers under 18 years of age and require special protection, the duration of quarantine follows the provisions imposed on their parents or caregivers/travel companions;
iv. For international travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that cause travelers cannot receive vaccines, with the requirements of presenting a doctor’s certificate from the State Departure Hospital which states that the concerned person has not been and/or cannot receive COVID-19 vaccination.
k) In the event that the results of RT-PCR re-examination upon arrival as referred to in letter j.ii and j.iv show negative results, Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals are allowed to continue the journey and will be recommended to conduct an independent health monitoring for 14 days and must follow health protocol;
l) In the event that the results of RT-PCR re-examination upon arrival as referred to in letter h show positive results, continue with the following provision:
i. If asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms, isolation or treatment is carried out in isolation hotels or centralized isolation facilities set by the government; or
ii. If accompanied by moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, isolation or treatment at a COVID-19 referral hospital is carried out;
iii. The cost of isolation/treatment for foreigners is borne independently, while for Indonesian citizens it is borne by the government.
m) The quarantine obligation as referred to in letter j.i is carried out with the following conditions:
i. Indonesian citizens, namely Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI); students who have finished education; or civil servants who returned from the Foreign Service journey, in accordance with the Decree of the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 14 of 2021 concerning Entry Points, Quarantine Places, and RT-PCR Obligations for Indonesian Citizens of International Travelers at costs borne by the government; and
ii. Indonesian citizens beyond the criteria as referred to in number i must undergo a self-funded quarantine in accommodation sites; and,
iii. Foreign nationals, including foreign diplomats, outside the head of a foreign representative and the family of foreign representatives must undergo a self-funded quarantine in accommodation sites.
n) In the event of RT-PCR tests as referred to in letter j.i show positive results:
i. Those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, shall be isolated in a hotel or centralized isolation facility at the expense of being borne independently for foreign nationals and borne by the government for Indonesian citizens; and
ii. Those who show moderate or severe symptoms, and/or with uncontrolled comorbidities, shall be isolated in a COVID-19 referral hospital at the expense of being borne independently for foreign nationals and borne by the government for Indonesian citizens
iii. The cost of isolation/treatment for foreigners is borne independently, while for Indonesian citizens it is borne by the government.
o) In the event that foreign nationals cannot finance their self-quarantine and/or hospital care, then sponsors, ministries / institutions / SOEs that provide consideration of entry permits for the foreigner can be held in question;
5 | Exceptions to the obligation of quarantine can be given to Indonesian citizens with emergency status, such as having life-threatening medical conditions, having a medical condition that requires specific attention, or grief towards the death of family members.
6 | Granting of dispensation on quarantine time reduction in times of emergency as referred to in number 13 must be submitted at least 3 days before the arrival in Indonesia to National COVID-19 Handling Task Force and can be given in selective ways, individually, and with limited quota based on the agreement of the coordination result between National COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment, and the Ministry of Health.
7 | International travelers must download, install, and register to the PeduliLindungi mobile app as a condition of conducting international trips into the territory of Indonesia.
8 | Health protocols must meet these requirements:
a. Wearing 3 ply of fabric mask or medical grade mask, covering nose, mouth and chin;
b. Replacing the mask regularly within every 4 hours, and dispose the waste in the proper place;
c. Washing hands regularly with water and soap or hand sanitizers;
d. Maintaining social distance for a minimum of 1,5 meters and avoiding crowds.
2. Visa on Arrival Bali
Furthermore, the Indonesian government has decided to exercise the try-out period for Visa on Arrival (VOA) policy for international travelers visiting Indonesia as well as no quarantine policy exclusively for international travelers visiting Bali through air.
Based on the Circular of the Directorate General of the Immigration on the Ministry of Law and Human Rights No. IMI-0532.GR.01.01 of 2022, here are the list of 42 countries subjected to VOA service policy effective from 22 March 2022:
Australia
Argentina
Belgia
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
China
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
India
Italy
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Mexico
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norwegia
Poland
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
The Philippines
Tunis
Turkey
UAE
UK
USA
Vietnam
The regulations and details for VoA service policy are listed as follows:
International travelers with passports originating from the aforementioned countries can apply for VoA for Tourism after arriving only through immigration control at Bali’s international airport.
International travelers must present all requirements for a VOA for Tourism at the immigration counter, namely:
a. A passport valid for at least 6 (six) months;
b. A return ticket or a connecting ticket to continue traveling to another country,and;
c. Other documents required under the provisions from the COVID-19 Task Force.
Stay Permits originating from VOA for Tourism are Visitor Stay Permits which are granted for a maximum period of 30 days and can be extended 1 (one) time. The extension is granted for 30 days and is carried out at the nearest immigration office to the location where the international traveler lives while in Indonesia.
A Visitor Stay Permit from VOA for Tourism cannot be changed into another type of visa/stay permit.
3. Free Visa and Visa on Arrival Riau Islands
According to Circular Letter of the Directorate General of the Immigration No. IMI-0533.GR.01.01 of 2022 concerning the Ease of Immigration to Support Sustainable Tourism in the Area of Batam and Bintan during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as of 22 March 2022, the Indonesian government has added countries and special entities whose citizens can enter Batam and Bintan that with Free Visa facility and Visa On Arrival (VOA) for tourism purpose.
Below are the countries which citizens can be granted Free Visa facility:
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Meanwhile, the countries which citizens can be granted Visa On Arrival are as follows:
Australia
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Mexico
Myanmar
Netherlands
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Taiwan
Thailand
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam
Both Free Visa facility and Visa On Arrival will only be granted by showing the following requirements at the immigration checkpoint:
Passport that is still valid for 6 months minimum
Return ticket or pass ticket to continue your journey to other countries
Proof of health insurance
Proof of confirmed accommodation booking
A status of Permanent Residency in Singapore (except for Singapore citizens)
Below are the available immigration checkpoints you can enter:
Batam:
Nongsa Terminal Bahari in Batam
Batam Center in Batam
Sekupang in Batam
Marina TelukSenimba in Batam
Citra Tri Tunas in Batam
Bintan
Bandar BentanTelaniLagoi in TanjungUban
Bandar Seri UdanaLobam in TanjungUban
Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang
The Stay Permits of Free Visa facility are granted for a maximum period of 14 days without extension. As for VOA, the Stay Permits are granted for a maximum period of 30 days and can be extended 1 (one) time.
4. E-Visa
Passport holders outside the above listed categories can also enter Indonesia through entry points mentioned in point 1 by applying for e-visa prior to departure.
These new regulations is expected to minimize further risk of COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia, especially the new SARS-COV-2 B.1.1.529 variant. Lastly, it is also expected for all international travelers to practice healthy habits such as washing hands frequently, wearing a mask in public places, and implementing social distancing. Kindly note that this regulation changes dynamically in order to adapt to certain circumstances. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Youtube to get an immediate update on the regulation in the future.
*Disclaimer : This article was updated on March 23th, 2022. Due to the dynamic nature of travel regulations, please stay updated and confirm your itinerary with your chosen travel providers.