Indonesia Lawmakers Push for Visa-Free Entry for Six Key Countries – China, Australia, India & More Under Consideration

Xavi
22 hours ago
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Updated: 1 hour ago

Indonesia lawmakers push for visa-free entry for China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and Singapore PR holders to boost tourism

JAKARTA — July 23, 2026 — The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has formally requested that the Directorate General of Immigration reconsider granting Visa-Free Visit (BVK) status to nationals from six key countries with high tourism potential, according to reports from local media.

The proposed countries include China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and holders of Singapore Permanent Resident status . The push comes amid concerns over declining tourist arrivals and the need to boost Indonesia's competitiveness as a regional tourism hub.

Quick Facts: Indonesia's Proposed Visa-Free Expansion 2026

Feature	Details
Proposed Countries	China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, and holders of Singapore PR status
Current Status	Under consideration – not yet finalized
Rationale	Boost tourism, address declining arrivals, apply reciprocity
Recent Expansion	Visa-free granted to Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau, and Belarus (effective July 9, 2026)

The Rationale Behind the Push

Declining Tourist Arrivals

The proposal is driven by concerns over declining direct flights and cruise ship visits to key destinations like Bintan . Local officials noted that before the pandemic, Bintan received nearly one million foreign tourists annually, but current numbers have dropped to around 200,000–300,000 .

Tourism Competitiveness

The DPR argues that visa policy significantly impacts tourism competitiveness . By offering visa-free access to these key markets, Indonesia could attract more visitors from high-spending countries and restore its position as a top Southeast Asian destination.

Reciprocity Principle

The proposal is also based on the principle of reciprocity, where those countries already offer visa-free access to Indonesian passport holders .

Recent Visa-Free Expansions

Indonesia recently expanded its visa-free entry list to include several new countries, effective July 9, 2026 :

Newly Added Countries	Effective Date
Turkey	July 9, 2026
Brazil	July 9, 2026
Peru	July 9, 2026
Kazakhstan	July 9, 2026
Macau	July 9, 2026
Belarus	July 9, 2026

Source:

Who Would Benefit?

For Travelers from Proposed Countries

If approved, citizens from:

China
Australia
Japan
South Korea
India
New Zealand
Holders of Singapore PR status

...would enjoy visa-free entry to Indonesia for tourism purposes, simplifying travel and reducing costs.

For Indonesia's Tourism Sector

Boosted arrivals from key high-spending markets
Restored connectivity with increased direct flights and cruise ship visits
Enhanced regional competitiveness compared to neighbours like Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam

What This Means for Travelers and Businesses

For Travelers

Impact	Details
Visa-Free Access	Simplified entry for tourism from proposed countries
Cost Savings	Elimination of visa-on-arrival fees
Easier Planning	No need to arrange visas in advance

For Businesses

Increased tourism demand for hotels, tours, and services
More frequent business travel between Indonesia and key partners
Potential for investment in tourism infrastructure