The Indonesian government has recently introduced a “bridging visa” policy to ease the procedures for foreigners in renewing residence permits.
Under this policy, foreigners can renew their residence permits without leaving the country, VisaGuide.World reports.
The bridging visa is valid for 60 days and can only be acquired within Indonesia, as reported by Xinhua News. If foreigners depart the country, this transitional residence permit will expire.
The Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, said that bridging visa aims to facilitate the procedures of getting a new residence permit and an earlier one.
Foreign residents in Indonesia will benefit from this time, energy, and accommodation cost-saving program, which also aims to give legal stability and convenience.
Meanwhile, individuals who acquire this type of visa after their prior residence permit expires are not subject to overstay. As AmCham Indonesia explained, foreigners are required to apply for a bridging visa and pay the necessary fee at least three days before their prior residence permit expires.
Indonesia Introduces 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visas for Tourists & Businessmen
Prior to the bridging visa policy, Indonesia announced a five-year multiple-entry visa policy concerning tourists and businessmen. This type of visa, which entered into force in December 2023, was introduced in a bid to draw more foreign visitors and boost the country’s tourism industry.
Priced at $972 (IDR 15,000,000), the five-year multiple-entry visa is available for tourism and business purposes only for stays up to 60 days. As authorities have noted, applicants must pay the visa fee online.
Holders of a five-year multiple-entry can visit various parts of Indonesia as well as their family and friends in the country. Furthermore, they will be able to attend different activities and meetings.
The authorities noted that holders of a five-year multiple-entry visa cannot use it for employment purposes in Indonesia.
In a prior announcement, Indonesia has also revealed its plans to drop visa requirements for 20 countries in an effort to enhance tourism and the economy.
Indonesia Eased Golden Visa Rules for New Capital Investors
In February 2024, the Indonesian government decided to facilitate the Golden Visa requirements for new capital investors.
Among other things, rules for foreign companies who want to invest in IKN have been reduced from a minimum investment of $25 five million dollars for a stay of five years.
Meanwhile, for a stay of ten years, requirements have been dropped from $50 million to ten million dollars.