You are currently viewing Latest Rules for Foreigners Entering Indonesia as of 9 February 2021

Latest Rules for Foreigners Entering Indonesia as of 9 February 2021

Regarding pandemic conditions, the Directorate General of Immigration again issued a new regulation for foreigners to enter Indonesia. Effective February 9, 2021. The latest policy refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights (Permenkumham) No. 26/2020.

Due to the pandemic, not all foreigners are allowed to enter Indonesia. Some who are allowed to enter include foreigners who have the following interests:

  1. Service Visa
  2. Diplomatic Visa
  3. Visit Visa
  4. Limited Stay Visa
  5. Official Stay Permit
  6. Diplomatic Stay Permit
  7. Limited Stay Permit
  8. Permanent Residence Permit
  9. Crew of transportation equipment who arrive using their means of transportation
  10. Foreigners holding APEC Card
  11. Traditional border crossers
  12. In accordance with the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) bilateral agreement scheme
  13. Obtain special considerations / permits in writing from ministries / agencies

However, foreigners who are allowed to enter Indonesia, must comply with the health protocol as regulated by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

For information, this policy still does not allow foreigners to come to Indonesia for tourism or using a tourist visa.

Previously, the increasing COVID-19 curve in Indonesia made the Government prohibit foreigners from entering Indonesia at the beginning of the year until February 8, 2021 or last Monday.

This also follows up on the existence of a new, more virulent British version of COVID-19, Indonesia and a number of countries in the world are increasingly tightening borders.

So, what are the protocol for international travel (foreigners) according to Circular Letter No. 8 of 2021?

  1. International travelers with the status of Indonesian citizens (WNI) from abroad are allowed to enter Indonesia while adhering to strict health protocols as stipulated by the Government.

  2. The prohibition of entering Indonesian territory, either directly or transiting in a foreign country, is still enforced for international travelers who are foreign citizens (WNA) unless those who meet the following criteria:
    a. In accordance with the provisions in Permenkumham No. 26 of 2020 concerning visas and residence permits during the new custom adaptation period;
    b. According to the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) bilateral agreement scheme; and / or
    c. Obtain special consideration / permission in writing from the Ministry / Agency.

  3. All International Travel Players, both Indonesian Citizens (WNI) and Foreign Citizens (WNA) must comply with the following terms / conditions:

    a. Comply with the health protocol requirements established by the government.


    b. Shows negative result via RT-PCR test in its home country

    the sample is taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before the hour of departure and attached to the time of health examination or Indonesian International e-HAC;

    c. Upon arrival, an RT-PCR retest is conducted for international travelers and is required to undergo a centralized quarantine for 5 x 24 hours, with the following conditions:

    1) For Indonesian citizens, namely Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI); Student / student; or Government Employees who returned from an official trip abroad at Wisma Pademangan in accordance with the Decree of the Chairperson of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Number 8 of 2021 at the expense of the government.
    2) For Indonesian citizens outside the criteria as referred to in number 1) and for foreigners, including foreign diplomats, outside the head of the foreign representative and the family of the head of the foreign representative, undergo quarantine at a quarantine accommodation that has received certification for the implementation of COVID-19 quarantine accommodation by the Ministry of Health at a fee entirely borne independently.

    d. In the event that the head of a foreign representative and family who is assigned to Indonesia can carry out self-quarantine at their respective residences for 5 x 24 hours as referred to in letter c;


    e. In the event that the results of the RT-PCR re-examination on arrival show a positive result, treatment will be carried out in the hospital for Indonesian citizens at the cost of being borne by the government and for foreigners with all the costs borne independently;


    f. In the event that a foreign citizen (WNA) is unable to pay for self-quarantine and / or treatment at the hospital, the sponsor, ministry / institution / state-owned company that provides consideration for the entry permit for the foreigner can be held accountable for it.


    g. 5 x 24 hours from the date After the arrival quarantine is carried out, Indonesian citizens and foreigners will re-examine the RT-PCR;


    h. In the case of a negative result as referred to in letter g, Indonesian citizens and foreigners are allowed to continue their journey and are advised to carry out self-quarantine for 14 days and apply health protocols;


    i. In the case of a positive result as referred to in letter g, then treatment is carried out in the hospital for Indonesian citizens at the cost of being borne by the government and for foreigners with all the costs borne independently


    j. The International Airport and Seaport Health Office (KKP) facilitates Indonesian citizens or foreign international travelers who need emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with applicable regulations;


    k. Ministries / Institutions / Local Governments that carry out functions related to Indonesian citizens and / or foreigners follow up this Circular Letter by issuing legal instruments that are in harmony and do not conflict with referring to this Circular Letter and the applicable laws and regulations; and


    l. The Circular as referred to in letter k is an integral part of this Circular Letter.

  4. The quarantine obligation is exempted for foreigners holding diplomatic visas and official visas related to official / state visits of foreign officials at ministerial level and above and foreigners who enter Indonesia through the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme, according to the principle of reciprocity while still applying strict health protocols.

Below are interactive flipbook of Circular Letter No. 8 of 2021: