Indonesia – Covid-19 – Immigration update

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Update: January 5th, 2021

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport sets special lanes for Indonesia-Singapore travellers

What is the change?

Indonesia has temporarily closed its border to all foreign nationals with effect from 1 January 2021 until 14 January 2021. The only exceptions are diplomatic visa and official/service holders who are traveling to Indonesia for the purpose of official ministerial visits.

In addition, the following foreign nationals who are traveling from abroad are exempted from the entry prohibition into Indonesia, but shall be required to adhere to existing health protocols: holders of diplomatic and official/service stay permit; and holders of Indonesia Temporary Residence Card (KITAS) and Indonesia Permanent Residence Card (KITAP).

Upon arrival, foreign nationals will be required to undergo a RT-PCR test and undergo five days of mandatory quarantine at their own expense in designated hotels.

Update: October 27th, 2020

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport sets special lanes for Indonesia-Singapore travellers

What is the change?

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is providing special lanes for passengers travelling between Indonesia and Singapore as the two countries have agreed to establish a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), or travel corridor to facilitate urgent diplomatic missions and essential business trips, that will come into effect on 26 October 2020.

Departing travellers using the special lanes will have to go through thermal scanners at terminals prior to stopping at a check-in counter, where they are required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result that is valid for 72 hours. They will then verify their health status through the electronic health alert card (e-HAC) application before they are allowed to board the plane.

Similarly, arriving travellers will conduct their check-in clearance through the e-HAC application upon arrival, with the details that they are able to pre-fill upon departure. They will then pass the immigration and customs counters before reaching the PCR testing area. If they test negative, they will be allowed to continue their trip. However, if the PCR test shows a positive result, the traveller would have to undergo quarantine.

Travellers from Indonesia seeking to enter Singapore will be required to have official sponsors from Singaporean state agencies and enterprises, in addition to a safe travel pass. Likewise, travellers from Singapore seeking to enter Indonesia will be required to have official sponsors from Indonesian state departments and business entities, in addition to a visa. The agreement has established two routes for the travel corridor, one between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Changi International Airport, and the other between Batam Ferry Terminal and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

Update: October 19th, 2020

Latest updates on visas and stay permits

What is the change?

The Government has announced the following updates on visas and stay permits effective from 1 October 2020:

  • Foreign nationals holding the following types of visas will be allowed to enter Indonesia through designated immigration checkpoints after undergoing the required health protocol procedures: Official Visa; Diplomatic Visa; Visit Visa; Limited Stay Visa; Official Stay Permit; Diplomatic Stay Permit; Limited Stay Permit (ITAS); Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP); and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Card.
  • Visa exemption and visa on arrival facilities remain suspended; however, crew members arriving in their vessels can still obtain a visa exemption facility when entering Indonesia.
  • Visit visas will only be granted for a single entry for the following purposes: emergency and essential work; business meeting; purchase of goods; probationary period for foreign workers; medical, food, and humanitarian aid work; and crew members joining a vessel in the territory of Indonesia.
  • Limited stay visas applications will also be open for new applicants conducting selected activities:
    • Work-related activities: technical experts; crew members joining a ship, floating device, or installation operating within the territory of the archipelagic waters, territorial sea, or continental shelf, as well as the Exclusive Economic Zone of Indonesia; supervision of the quality of goods or production; inspection or audit at a company branch office in Indonesia; provision of after-sales services; installation and repair of machinery; non-permanent construction activities; and work capability assessments.
  • Non-work related activities: foreign capital investment; family reunion; and senior foreign tourists.

Update: July 16th, 2020

Extension, stay permit provisions updated

What is the change?

The Directorate General of Immigration has announced several provisions effective from 13 July 2020:

  • ITAS and ITAP holders currently residing in Indonesia and holding valid Stay Permits can now apply to extend their Stay Permits at immigration offices.
  • ITAS and ITAP holders currently residing overseas, who have been granted the required letter from the relevant agencies or boards, and those applying for the family reunion ITAS/ITAP, can return to Indonesia and extend their Stay Permits at local immigration offices from 13 July 2020. However, if they fail to extend their visas within the 60-day grace period, they will need to apply for a new visa.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Announcement by Directorate General of Immigration

What is the change?

The Directorate General of Immigration has announced on its official Instagram account (@ditjen_imigrasi) several provisions effective from 13 July 2020:

  • ITAS and ITAP holders currently residing in Indonesia and holding valid Stay Permits can now apply to extend their Stay Permits at immigration offices.
  • ITAS and ITAP holders currently residing overseas, who have been granted the required letter from the relevant agencies or boards, and those applying for the family reunion ITAS/ITAP, can return to Indonesia and extend their Stay Permits at local immigration offices from 13 July 2020. However, if they fail to extend their visas within the 60-day grace period, they will need to apply for a new visa. For more information on the relevant provisions for ITK, ITAS, ITAP, VOA, and Free Visa holders with Emergency Stay Permits, as well as ITK and ITAS holders with the new telex visa, please refer to the link below.

Update: June 26th, 2020

Support Letters for new work permit applications

What is the change?

The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Ministry of Manpower, and Ministry of Law and Human Rights have reached a consensus to allow foreign nationals, other than those permitted to enter Indonesia under the Regulation of Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 11 of 2020 , to apply for new work permits and enter Indonesia.

Under this arrangement, foreign nationals who wish to apply for a new work permit must produce a Support Letter (Surat Dukungan) from the BKPM, and attach this to their applications for the Foreign Manpower Utilisation Plan (RPTKA) and Notification (or work permit) to the Ministry of Manpower.

Process for obtaining a Support Letter from the BKPM

To obtain the Support Letter, the sponsoring company must prepare a request letter to the BKPM according to a set of requirements. Specifically, the request letter must:

  • Be addressed to Head of BKPM;
  • Be signed by senior management (President Director/Managing Director/Director/CEO);
  • Provide the contact number of the contact person/person-in-charge for the application (an active mobile phone number is preferred);
  • Explain the company’s urgency to hire the foreign national during the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Provide details of the company’s investment activities (total investment value, and project location) in relation to the hiring;
  • Provide details of the Indonesian Manpower Employment Plan;
  • Provide the company profile and details of the foreign national, such as the foreign national’s name, valid passport number, nationality, and position pursuant to the applicable regulations; and
  • Confirm that both the sponsoring company and the foreign national are willing to follow the required health protocols in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The request letter, together with its supporting documents, must be submitted in hard copy format to the BKPM Administrative Division (Tata Usaha) located at the BKPM Office, Ismail Saleh Building 2nd Floor, Jalan Gatot Subroto Kav. 44, South Jakarta. Applicants will be contacted by BKPM officers if the information submitted is found to be incomplete.

If the application is approved, BKPM will issue the Support Letter within two working days. The applicant will then need to collect the Support Letter from the BKPM Administrative Division at the BKPM Office.

Update: May 20th, 2020

Updated health protocols for foreign citizens entering Indonesia

What is the change?

Effective 7 May 2020, foreign citizens arriving in Indonesia will need to abide by the following health protocols:

  1. Wear a face mask.
  2. Provide a valid medical certificate or Fit to Fly certificate in English, issued within seven days prior to arrival.
  3. Provide a statement of compliance in obeying the required procedures for quarantine in Indonesia.
  4. Undergo the following medical protocols upon arrival in Indonesia:

a. Rapid test and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR): If the individual’s medical certificate confirms a negative COVID-19 PCR result, he/she will skip this test. But if the medical certificate does not confirm a negative COVID-19 PCR result, he/she must take this test.

b. Interview.

c. Temperature check and other relevant tests.

d. Oxygen Saturation Test.

Individuals with negative COVID-19 rapid test results, and showing no signs of symptoms or comorbidity, will receive a health clearance, Health Alert Card, and travel permit (Surat Jalan). They will need to submit the health clearance to the respective embassies, and be monitored by a local health agency. In addition, they will need to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

Individuals with reactive rapid test results and comorbidity will be referred to and isolated at a designated hospital. Individuals with reactive rapid test results, but are without comorbidity, will be deported.

Update: May 11th, 2020

List of regions with large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Indonesia

What is the change?

Holders of expired stay permits (limited and permanent), expired re-entry permits, expired telex visas, and expired visas who have not entered Indonesia will be allowed entry at the following entry points:

  • Tempat Pemeriksaan Imigrasi (TPI) Soekarno Hatta—Jakarta
  • TPI Juanda—Surabaya
  • TPI Ngurah Rai—Bali
  • TPI Kualanamu—Medan
  • TPI Hang Nadim—Batam
  • TPI Batam Centre—Batam
  • TPI Citra Tritunas—Batam

They will need to apply for an emergency stay permit at the point of entry, and fulfil the following requirements:

  • Provide a health certificate (in English) issued by a health authority in the country where the foreign national currently resides, or a Fit to Fly Certificate.
  • Provide a Statement Letter that the foreign national is willing to undergo isolation in facilities under the supervision of the Indonesian government, or self-isolation under the supervision of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, for 14 days.

In addition, visas and telex visas which were granted after 1 January 2020 and have not been used for entry to Indonesia will be automatically re-validated when the state of emergency is declared to be over.

This automatic re-validation will only apply to visas issued by Indonesian Embassies in the following cities that have implemented the Immigration Information Management System (SIMKIM) application: Bangkok; Beijing; Berlin; Davao; Dili; Guangzhou; Ho Chi Minh City; Hong Kong; Jeddah; Johor Bahru; Kota Kinabalu; Kuala Lumpur; Kuching; Los Angeles; Mumbai; Penang; Seoul; Singapore; Songkhla; Sydney; Taipei; Tawau; The Hague; and Tokyo.

New regulation allows business people and officials to travel

What is the change?

A circular letter issued by the COVID-19 task force on 6 May 2020 allows business people and state officials that are involved in health and essential services to travel despite the Government’s restriction on all passenger travel.

The exemption is given to state officials, private sector workers and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) employees that provide health services, basic necessities, security and defence, and vital economic functions. Repatriated Indonesian nationals, individuals who need emergency medical care, and family members of a deceased individual are also exempted from the ban.

State officials are required to obtain a permit from their superior with at least the rank of Echelon II, while business people are required to sign a statement letter to notify local officials. Prior to their departure, all traveling individuals must provide a negative result of a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or rapid test, or health documents from a hospital or clinic, as well as a return ticket.

Update: April 22th, 2020

Entry procedure for expired permits

What is the change?

As of Saturday (18 April 2020), a number of provinces/cities are implementing large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) with the approval of Minister of Health, Terawan Agus Putranto. These include the following:

  • Jakarta (from 10 April 2020)
  • Bogor, West Java (from 15 April 2020)
  • Bekasi, West Java (from 15 April 2020)
  • Depok, West Java (from 15 April 2020)
  • Greater Bandung, West Java (from 22 April 2020)
  • West Sumatra (from 22 April 2020)
  • Pekanbaru, Riau (from 17 April 2020)
  • Makassar, South Sulawesi (from 24 April 2020)
  • Tegal, Central Java (from 23 April 2020)

Once enforced, the PSBB is effective for a period of 14 days, and can be extended further if necessary.

Update: April 20th, 2020

Large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Indonesia

What is the change?

Following the signing of the “Regulation on Guidelines to Propose Large-scale Social Restrictions amid COVID-19 Pandemic” by the Health Minister, the following regional administrations have begun to implement PSBB measures with the approval of the central Government:

The PSBB guidelines cover the closing of schools and offices, as well as restrictions on religious activities, activities in public space and facilities, social and cultural activities, and transportation.

Schools and offices may be temporarily closed, with the exception of offices or institutions that provide services relating to defence and security, public order, food, fuel and gas, healthcare, logistics, finance, communication, industry, export and import, distribution, and other basic necessities.

However, public or private vehicles that take into account restrictions on the number of passengers and physical distancing; as well as goods transportation responsible for the fulfilment of people’s basic necessities, can continue to operate.

Update: March 20th, 2020

Temporary closure of counters at Ministry of Manpower office

What is the change?

The following measures are currently in effect at the Ministry of Manpower:

  • Counters at the Ministry of Manpower office have been temporarily closed to avoid direct contact between officers and applicants.
  • To change work location in the Foreign Manpower Utilisation Plan (RPTKA), amend job titles, and withdraw from the skills development fund, please submit applications via email.
  • For consultations, please use the hotline numbers (08111385733 or 081519193369) instead of making physical visits to the Ministry of Manpower office.
  • Submission procedures for foreigner services, including work permits and Foreign Manpower Utilisation Plan (RPTKA), will continue as usual.

Reduced operational hours for Imigrasi Jakarta Selatan

What is the change?

On 19 March 2020, Imigrasi Jakarta Selatan uploaded an infographic on its official Instagram account (@kanimjaksel) announcing that:

  • Operational hours for foreigners seeking immigration services will be reduced to 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • All applications must be submitted to the Dropbox, and not through direct contact with an officer.
Sophie Carlei

Sophie est Managing Director au sein de l’équipe Mobilité Internationale de Lyon et dirige l’équipe immigration. Elle conseille les groupes français et internationaux et intervient tant pour des clients travaillant dans […]

Fatia Bouteiller

Fatia Bouteiller a rejoint Deloitte Société d’Avocats en 2017 pour renforcer l’équipe Immigration. Fatia dispose d’une expérience de 15 ans en mobilité internationale dans les domaines du droit de l’immigration, […]