DENPASAR, Bali – Indonesia could soon make it easier for travellers from several key tourism markets to visit the country without a visa.

The government is reviewing a proposal to expand its Visa-Free Visit (BVK) programme under a new 8+1 scheme, reopening discussions over a policy aimed at supporting tourism while balancing immigration control and national security.

If approved, the proposal would extend visa-free access to travellers from Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Macau, and holders of Singapore permanent residence permits.

For now, however, the proposal remains under review, with immigration authorities cautioning that any expansion must undergo a thorough assessment before a final decision is made.

The proposal was first outlined by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana during a working meeting with Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on June 3.

According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, easing entry requirements plays an important role in influencing travellers’ destination choices, particularly as competing destinations across the region continue strengthening their travel facilitation policies.

“The Ministry of Tourism believes that Indonesia needs to view the Visa-Free Visit policy within a broader framework, namely as a policy that can have a direct impact on tourist arrivals, visitor spending, job creation, and the strengthening of local economies,” the ministry said in a statement published on Wednesday, June 24.

However, immigration authorities have urged caution.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the current Visa-Free Visit policy, which applies to 16 countries, remains sufficient to support Indonesia’s tourism sector. Any future expansion, he said, should continue to follow the principles of selectivity and reciprocity.

“The visa-free policy must be viewed comprehensively, not only in terms of the number of tourist arrivals, but also its impact on security, the economy, and national interests,” Marantoko said.

Garuda Institute Director Bahtiar Sebayang also called for a comprehensive evaluation rather than a rushed implementation. He said the proposal should be discussed thoroughly with the Directorate General of Immigration and Commission VII of the DPR RI to ensure every aspect of the policy is carefully considered.

“The Directorate General of Immigration has a constitutional mandate to safeguard the nation’s borders. The role of immigration is not only to provide services but also to ensure national security. Therefore, every visa-free policy must be carefully assessed,” Sebayang said.

Immigration authorities also pointed to Indonesia’s previous experience with visa-free travel. In 2016, the government granted visa-free access to citizens of 169 countries. According to the Directorate General of Immigration, the policy did not significantly increase foreign exchange earnings. After the policy was later tightened, revenue from related sectors increased instead.

“What needs to be considered is not only the quantity of tourists, but also their quality and contribution to the national economy,” Marantoko said.

No decision has been announced on whether the proposed expansion will be approved or when it could take effect. Until the government reaches a final decision, Indonesia’s existing visa requirements remain unchanged.

Who’s on the proposed visa-free list?

• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Belarus
• Kazakhstan
• Macau
• Singapore Permanent Residence permit holders

Status: Proposal under government review. No official approval has been announced.