Indonesia suspends visa exemption policy on 159 countries, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Jakarta – Indonesia’s visa-free visit policy for 159 countries was revoked based on the outcomes of a benefit-based evaluation, stated President Joko Widodo on June 21.

In the past, Indonesia allowed free entry, and now the country is evaluating whether it benefits itself or the country needs to open access for a country or not, the Indonesian leader was quoted by local media as saying.

He said that not only Indonesia but other countries will certainly evaluate their visa exemption policy.

After the visa exemption policy is revoked for 159 countries, nationals from only 10 countries can enter Indonesia without a visitor visa.

The 10 countries are ASEAN countries comprising Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Timor Leste.

Foreign nationals who enter under the visa exemption policy are allowed to remain in Indonesia for up to 30 days, and their stay cannot be extended.

They are required only to present a valid passport with a validity of at least six months and a return or onward journey ticket at an Indonesian immigration checkpoint to enter under the visa-free policy.

The decision was given following a Ministry of Law and Human Rights decree issued on June 7. The decision stated that the visa exemption policy has affected the lives of residents in Indonesia, as it is a factor that caused immigration violations, public order disruption, and transmission of diseases.