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If finalised, Indonesia's initiative of visa-free entry to Indians will help the island nation in tapping the massive tourism potential coming from India.
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In a move aimed at boosting tourism and the economy, Indonesia is exploring the possibility of offering visa-free entry to Indians along with 19 other countries, including the U.S., China, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Britain, and France.
If the plan goes through, Indonesia would join Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand in providing visa-free entries to Indians. Vietnam is also said to be mulling granting visa-free entry to India and other nations.
Reports suggest that the list of countries eligible for visa-free entry will likely be finalized within the next month. The government is actively exploring this option to achieve its economic and tourism-related objectives.
Surge in Foreign Arrivals: In 2019, Indonesia welcomed over 16 million foreign visitors. In the current year (January to October), there has been a significant increase in foreign arrivals, totaling 9.49 million visitors — a remarkable 124% surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Global Trends: Following a global trend, Indonesia's move aligns with similar visa waiver initiatives in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, targeting visitors from China and India. In September, Indonesia introduced a golden visa program to attract foreign individuals and corporate investors.
What is the Golden Visa Program? The golden visa program offers a residence permit lasting between five and 10 years. To qualify for a 5-year visa, individuals must establish a company valued at $2.5 million. For a 10-year visa, a $5 million investment is required. Corporate investors aiming for five-year visas need to invest $25 million, with the investment doubling to $50 million for a 10-year visa.