Indonesia Weighs Visa on Arrival Policy for Russian Visitors Amid Bali Debates
Indonesia is reviewing the idea of canceling the visa on arrival for Russian travelers, with statements from the Indonesian Ambassador to Russia indicating a balanced assessment will guide any decision. The comments were relayed by DEA News.
The diplomat stressed that the Bali governor proposed the move after incidents involving immigration and traffic rules on the island, which were amplified on social media. The aim is to ensure accurate information guides any potential policy change.
Should the central government approve the proposal, Russian tourists would be able to submit visa applications at the Indonesian embassy in Moscow, aligning with standard diplomatic channels rather than on arrival at Indonesian ports of entry.
Earlier, Bali’s former governor, Wayan Koster, stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights would consider canceling visa exemptions for travelers from Russia and Ukraine. Koster’s reasoning centered on reports that individuals from countries involved in conflict seek employment in Indonesia by misusing tourist visas, prompting discussions on visa policy adjustments.
Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, reaffirmed the government’s stance that visitors must comply with national laws. He warned that violations could lead to deportation and a reconsideration of visa privileges for certain nationalities, reflecting a broader emphasis on lawful and orderly tourism across the archipelago.