Indonesia has recently relaxed its visa requirements for tourists from Panama, Guatemala, and Macau, allowing them to apply for visa-on-arrivals (VoA) upon arrival in the country.
This move has been made to give a boost to the tourism industry, especially in Bali. This decision has relieved the tourists from the tedious process of applying for a visa at the Indonesian embassy in their home country. The Indonesian government has introduced an electronic visa-on-arrival (e-VoA) system, which can be accessed via molina.imigrasi.go.id before departing for Indonesia.
The VoA is valid for 30 days and can be extended once. However, it cannot be converted to any other type of stay permit. The application fee for the visa is IDR500,000 (US$33.99), which can be paid using a credit or debit card with a Visa, Mastercard, or JCB logo. This new policy is expected to boost the tourism sector in Bali as the island is hoping to welcome 4.5 million international arrivals this year, along with 9 million domestic travelers. This number would bring the tourist arrivals close to the 6.2 million international tourists who arrived in Bali in 2019, before the pandemic struck.
The VoA facility has been made available to 92 regions, including the new additions – Panama, Guatemala, and Macau. This step is expected to make the process of obtaining a visa more convenient and accessible for tourists from these countries.
The Indonesian tourism industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government is trying to revive it by easing visa requirements and promoting tourism in the country. Indonesia is known for its natural beauty, beaches, and rich cultural heritage, which attracts a large number of tourists from around the world. Bali, in particular, is a popular destination for tourists because of its scenic beauty and cultural significance.
The Indonesian government’s decision to grant visa-on-arrival access to Panama, Guatemala, and Macau nationals is a step in the right direction. This move is expected to boost the tourism industry in Bali. The Indonesian government should continue to take similar measures to promote tourism in the country and ensure that tourists have a hassle-free experience while traveling to Indonesia.
