On 12^th January a new circular as released by SATGAS advising that as of immediately, there are no red list countries banned from entering Indonesia. This is great news for people travelling from South Africa, Botswana, Norway, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, United Kingdom, France & Denmark, who previously were unable to enter – unless they had been in a third-party country, not effected by the travel ban for 14 days prior to entering Indonesian territories.

*Update*: On 14^th January we spoke with internal immigration officials who confirmed that they have opened the application system for all nationalities and they confirmed that any visa applications pending because of the ban, will now be resumed.

Immigration officials advised that they have taken the directive from the SATGAS circular dated 12^th January, as attached below:

Below is the unofficial translation of the circulars key points:

F. Protocol

1. Overseas travelers with the status of Indonesian Citizens (WNI) from abroad are allowed to enter Indonesia while still following the strict health protocols set by the Government.
2. Temporary restrictions on entering the territory of Indonesia, either directly or in transit in foreign countries, are applied to foreign travelers with the status of Foreign Citizens (WNA) except those who meet the following criteria:
   1. In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 34 of 2021 concerning the Granting of Immigration Visas and Residence Permits in the Period of Handling the 2019 Corona Virus Disease Spread and National Economic Recovery;
   2. In accordance with the agreement scheme (bilateral), such as the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA); and/or
   3. Obtain special consideration/permission in writing from the Ministry/Agency.
3. All Overseas Travelers, both Indonesian Citizens (WNI) and Foreign Citizens (WNA) must comply with the following conditions/requirements:
   1. Comply with the provisions of the health protocol set by the Government;
   2. Show that the card or certificate (physical or digital) has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 (fourteen) days before departure as a requirement to enter Indonesia with the following conditions:
      1. Indonesian citizens are required to show a card or certificate (physical or digital) having received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement to enter Indonesia, and in the event that Indonesian citizens have not received the vaccine abroad, they will be vaccinated at a quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia after the second RT-PCR examination is carried out. with negative results;
      2. Foreigners are required to show a card or certificate (physical or digital) having received a full dose of COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement to enter Indonesia;
      3. In the event that the foreigner has not received the vaccine abroad, he will be vaccinated at the quarantine place upon arrival in Indonesia after the second RT-PCR examination with a negative result is carried out, with the following conditions:
         1. ) Foreigners aged 12 – 17 years;
         2. ) Holders of diplomatic residence permits and official residence permits; and/or
         3. ) Holders of a limited stay permit card (KITAS) and a permanent residence permit card (KITAP).
      4. Foreigners who are already in Indonesia and will travel, both domestically and internationally, are required to vaccinate through a program or mutual cooperation scheme in accordance with statutory regulations;
      5. The obligation to show a COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate (physical or digital) as a requirement to enter Indonesia is excluded for:
         1. ) Foreigners who hold diplomatic visas and service visas related to official/state visits of foreign officials at ministerial level and above and foreigners who enter Indonesia under the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity while still implementing strict health protocols;
         2. ) Foreigners who have not vaccinated and intend to travel domestically and continue with the aim of taking international flights out of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, are allowed not to show their COVID-19 vaccination card/certificate as long as they do not leave the airport area during transit waiting for international flights to be followed. , with requirements:
            1. ) Has been permitted by the local Port Health Office to carry out domestic trips with the aim of being able to continue their flights out of Indonesia; and
            2. ) Shows the schedule of flight tickets outside Indonesia for direct transit from the departure city to the international airport in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia with the final destination to the destination country.
         3. ) Overseas travelers are under 18 years of age; and
         4. ) Overseas travelers with special health conditions or comorbid diseases that prevent travelers from receiving vaccines, with the condition that they must attach a doctor’s certificate from the Government Hospital of the country of departure stating that the person concerned has not and/or is unable to take part in the COVID-19 vaccination.
      6. The card or certificate (physical or digital) has received the full dose of COVID-19 vaccine written in English, in addition to the language of the country of origin.
   3. Show negative results through the RT-PCR test in the country/region of origin whose samples are taken within a maximum period of 3 x 24 hours before the departure time and are attached at the time of the health check or the Indonesian International e-HAC;
   4. In the event that foreign travelers carry out centralized quarantine with self-financing, they are required to show proof of payment confirmation for booking quarantine accommodation from the accommodation provider while staying in Indonesia;
   5. In the event that foreign travelers carry out centralized quarantine with self-financing, they are required to show proof of payment confirmation for booking quarantine accommodation from the accommodation provider while staying in Indonesia;
   6. The quarantine obligations as referred to in letter e are carried out with the following provisions:
      1. For Indonesian citizens, namely Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI); Students who have completed their studies abroad; Government employees returning from overseas official trips; or Indonesian Representatives in international competitions or festivals undergo centralized quarantine at the expense of the government in accordance with the Decree of the Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force regarding Entry Points, Quarantine Places, and RT-PCR Obligations for Indonesian Citizens Perpetrators Overseas Travel;
      2. For Indonesian citizens outside the criteria as referred to in number i, they undergo quarantine in a centralized quarantine accommodation at their own expense; and
      3. For foreigners, foreign diplomats other than the head of the foreign representative and the family of the head of the foreign representative undergo quarantine in a centralized quarantine accommodation at their own expense.
   7. Quarantine accommodation as referred to in letter f.ii. and the letter f.iii. must obtain a recommendation from the COVID-19 Task Force that has met the terms and conditions of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association for cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CHSE) and The Ministry in charge of health affairs for the Jakarta and surrounding areas or the Provincial Office in charge of health affairs in the regions related to the certification of the COVID-19 health protocol;
   8. In the event that the results of the RT-PCR re-examination upon arrival as referred to in letter e show a positive result, then the Indonesian citizen will be treated at a hospital at a cost to be borne by the government and for the foreign national at the expense of being entirely independently borne;
   9. In the event that a foreign citizen (foreigner) is unable to pay for self-quarantine and/or treatment in a hospital, the sponsor, the ministry/institution/state-owned company that provides consideration for the entry permit for the foreigner can be asked for the said responsibility;
   10. For Indonesian citizens and foreigners, a second RT-PCR test is carried out on the 6th day of quarantine; for foreign travelers who carry out quarantine with a duration of 7 x 24 hours;
   11. In the event that the RT-PCR re-test as referred to in letter j shows a negative result, Indonesian citizens and foreigners are allowed to continue their journey and are recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days and apply health protocols;
   12. In the event of a positive result as referred to in letter j, treatment in a hospital for Indonesian citizens will be carried out at the cost of being borne by the government and for foreigners at the expense of being entirely independently borne;
   13. The examination of the RT-PCR test as referred to in letter j can be requested for a written comparison by filling out the form provided by the Port Health Office (KKP) or the Ministry in charge of health affairs with the cost of the inspection being borne by the foreign traveler;
   14. The implementation of the RT-PCR comparison test as referred to in letter m is carried out simultaneously or simultaneously by KKP in 2 (two) laboratories for the purpose of SGTF comparison examination and comparative examination of RT-PCR results, namely at: Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes), Rumah Cipto Mangunkusumo Central General Hospital (RSCM), Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital (RSPAD), Bhayangkara Raden Said Sukanto Hospital (Polri Hospital) or other government laboratories (Environmental Health Engineering Center, Regional Health Laboratory, or other government reference laboratories );
   15. KKP International Airports and Seaports facilitate Indonesian citizens or foreigners traveling abroad who need emergency medical services upon arrival in Indonesia in accordance with applicable regulations;
   16. Ministries/Institutions/Local Governments that carry out functions related to Indonesian citizens and/or foreign nationals follow up on this Circular by issuing legal instruments that are in harmony and do not conflict with reference to this Circular Letter and the provisions of the prevailing laws and regulations; and
   17. The legal instrument as referred to in letter p is an inseparable part of this Circular Letter.
4. Foreigners with the status of head of foreign representatives serving in Indonesia and their families may be given dispensation for the implementation of a 7 x 24 hour centralized quarantine as referred to in number 3.e. in the form of individual self-quarantine.
5. Dispensation in the form of exemption from quarantine obligations may be granted to Indonesian citizens under urgent circumstances, such as: having a life-threatening health condition, a health condition requiring special attention, or grief due to the death of a nuclear family member.
6. Dispensation in the form of exemption from quarantine obligations on condition that the bubble system and strict health protocols apply, may be granted to foreigners with the following criteria:
   1. Holders of diplomatic visas and service visas;
   2. Foreign officials at the ministerial level and above and their entourage making official/state visits;
   3. Travel agents entering Indonesia through the Travel Corridor Arrangement scheme;
   4. Delegations of G20 member countries; and
   5. Travelers who are honorable people persons) and distinguished persons.
7. Application for dispensation in the form of self-quarantine as referred to in number 4 and exemption from quarantine obligation as referred to in number 6 shall be submitted at least 7 (seven) days prior to arrival in Indonesia to the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force and may be granted selectively, individually, and with a limited quota based on an agreement from the coordination between the COVID-19 Task Force, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the Ministry of Health.
8. Application for dispensation in the form of exemption from quarantine obligations for Indonesian citizens with urgent circumstances as referred to in number 5 shall be submitted at least 3 (three) days prior to arrival in Indonesia to the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force and may be granted selectively, individually, and with a limited quota. based on the agreement of the results of coordination between the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 & the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the Ministry of Health.
9. The implementation of self-quarantine as referred to in number 4 must meet the following provisions:
   1. Have a separate bedroom and bathroom for each individual foreign traveler;
   2. Minimizing contact during food distribution or eating activities;
   3. Not having physical contact with other travelers who are in quarantine or other individuals;
   4. There are quarantine supervisory officers who are obliged to report quarantine surveillance on a daily basis to KKP officers in their territory; and
   5. Perform a second RT-PCR test on the 6th day of quarantine and must report the results of the RT-PCR test to KKP officers in their area.
10. In the case of submitting a dispensation for the implementation of self-quarantine as referred to in number 4, the foreign traveler concerned must attach proof of compliance with the requirements for self-quarantine in the form of a separate bedroom and bathroom for each individual foreign traveler as well as documents covering the identity of the officer. quarantine supervisor validated by the Ministry of Health cq Port Health Office.
11. The strict health protocol as referred to in number 3 must meet the following terms and conditions:
    1. The use of masks must be done properly covering the nose and mouth;
    2. The types of masks used by travelers are 3-ply cloth masks or medical masks;
    3. It is not permitted to speak one way or two ways by telephone or in person throughout the trip using public transportation modes of land, rail, sea, river, lake, ferry, and air; and
    4. It is not allowed to eat and drink during the flight journey for a journey that is less than 2 hours, except for individuals who are obliged to take medicine for treatment which if not done can endanger the safety and health of the person.
12. Every foreign traveler is required to use the PeduliLindung application as a condition for traveling abroad to enter the territory of Indonesia.
13. Every operator of transportation modes at the entry point of overseas travel is required to use the PeduliLindung application.
14. Supervision of quarantine health of cargo ships and crew in accordance with more specific and technical arrangements stipulated by the Ministry of Health through monitoring by the Port Health Office of each entry point for foreign travel.
15. Foreigners and Indonesian citizens traveling abroad with the purpose of traveling can enter the territory of Indonesia with the following conditions:
    1. Through the entrance (entry point) airports (airports) in Bali and the Riau Islands;
    2. In addition to the provisions/requirements showing the card or certificate has received the COVID-19 vaccine and a negative result of the RT-PCR test as referred to in number 3.b. and 3.c., foreign travellers for tourist trips are required to attach:
       1. Short Visit Visa or other entry permits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
       2. Proof of ownership of health insurance with a minimum coverage value of USD 100,000 which includes financing for handling COVID-19; and
       3. Proof of booking confirmation and payment (booking) for accommodation from the accommodation provider while staying in Indonesia.

As always, if you need a visa to get to Indonesia, then contact the only agency awarded the title Best Visa & Business Consultancy in Indonesia Award – LetsMoveIndonesia. Improving expatriate services since 2016. WA: +62 811 1286 948, T: +62 21 300 297 27 (Jakarta) T: +62 361 934 8343 (Seminyak) T: +62 361 939 9406 (Canggu) E: [email protected]

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