To be able to come to Indonesia, foreign tourists can use a tourist visit visa or Visa On Arrival (VOA). Then what is the difference between the two visas?
According to the explanation of the Directorate General of Immigration (DG) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) RI, the basic difference between a visa on arrival and a tourist visa is the validity period.
Achmad Nur Saleh, Sub Coordinator of Public Relations at the Directorate General of Immigration, explained that foreign tourists who use VOA have a shorter stay than B211A tourist visa holders. He added that the tourist stay permit for foreign tourists holding VOA is valid for 30 days and can only be extended once with a period of stay for the next 30 days.
Read also: Indonesia Revokes Visa-Free Rules for 159 Countries
Meanwhile, tourist visit visa holders are allowed to stay for 60 days. The visit visa can also be extended up to four times. In other words, foreign tourists with a tourist visit visa can stay in Indonesia for up to 180 days, Achmad said.
In addition, a visit stay permit originating from a VOA is not transferable. A visit stay permit is different from a tourist visit visa, which can be converted into a limited stay permit (ITAS).
“VOA can be applied for without the need for a guarantor or sponsor. That is one of the reasons the visit stay permit from VOA cannot be transferred to ITAS,” said Achmad Nur Saleh.
Not long ago, Indonesia temporarily revoked visa-free rules for foreign tourists from 159 countries starting June 7, 2023. This policy is contained in the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia No. M.HH-GR. 01.07 of 2023, passed on June 7, 2023.
Previously, visa-free entry was valid for 30 days and could not be extended. Currently, only tourists from ASEAN member countries can enter Indonesia without a visa.
Source: CNN Indonesia
