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INDONESIA’S Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno discussed a long-term visa policy plan with the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly. Long-term visas allow foreign tourists to stay in Indonesia for up to 5 years.
“They can invest here, visas are renewed every 5 years. I hope that the policy will improve the quality of tourism in terms of length of visit and the amount of expenditure that has an impact on the community’s economy. Moreover, currently there is a potential of 1 billion global citizens aged 60. years and over with revenues of more than US$1.5 trillion,” Sandiaga said in a written statement.
He explained that foreign tourists in this group have the ability to shop and travel longer. This needs to be the focus of improving the quality of our tourists, especially from the length of the visit and spending or spending on these tourists while in Indonesia.
“Meanwhile, the plan for a long-term visa policy is prepared by following the existing trends. Indonesia, Sandiaga said, is targeting businessmen and foreign tourists who enter Indonesia within 3-4 months per year during winter in their home country,” he stated.
This policy also anticipates cases of visiting foreign tourists working from Bali, such as Christian Gray, as well as foreign workers who wish to carry out digital nomade activities. Sandiaga said the visa with the long term stay second home concept for 5 years has conditions.
One of the conditions is that individual foreign tourists must deposit IDR2 billion. Meanwhile, foreign tourists who bring their families must deposit IDR2.5 billion. The long-term visa policy plan is also in line with the government’s preparation to open the travel bubble and the ASEAN Travel Corridor. Some of the arrival gates prepared are Bali, Batam and Bintan.
Sandiaga hopes that the plan to open the doors of foreign tourists with this particular cooperation will be completed in the next few weeks.
“The consideration of giving special treatment to Asean countries that already have a travel arrangement or travel bubble agreement is of course applying the principle of reciprocity. These countries also exempt visas for Indonesian citizens,” Sandiaga noted.
He added, the Ministry in parallel will also collect big data of foreign tourists to target the market for long-term visits according to the target and segmentation. In addition, Sandiaga Uno asked Immigration officers to prepare to give a friendly and warm first impression that reflects Indonesian culture. [bisnis.com/photo special]
