Jakarta. English singer Ed Sheeran performed in Jakarta over the weekend using the music performer visa.

The Indonesian immigration office has simplified the requirements for this electronic C7A index, making it easier for the “Thinking Out Loud” hitmaker to make his second visit to Indonesia.

“The music performer visa is specifically for musicians and their crews who want to perform in Indonesia. This visa is a breakthrough from the Immigration Directorate General to facilitate the licensing of foreign musicians to perform concerts in Indonesia. The policy is expected to support Indonesia becoming a reckoned international event destination,” Silmy Karim, the director general for immigration, was quoted as saying in a recent press statement.

Indonesia no longer requires international artists to submit a work permit, police clearance letters, or a letter of work of at least five years if they wish to get a music performer visa. The government decided to simplify the rules as they would only perform for a short period of time in Indonesia, and thus would not be competing with local musicians.

This 60-day, single-entry visa is available on evisa.imigrasi.go.id website. Sponsors such as concert organizers, music promoters, or other related parties can request the visa. Previously, Indonesia has issued music performer visas for Coldplay, Twice, and the Jonas Brothers.

Indonesia issued 85 visas for Ed Sheeran's concert. They included 11 music performer visas (including for Callum Scott and musical instrument players) and 74 music performer's crew visas (index C7B).

“With immigration policies that facilitate the holding of international events, we hope to advance music tourism in Indonesia. If we can become a favorite destination for international concerts, it will have an impact on increasing foreign tourist arrivals, which will impact the country's foreign exchange,” Silmy said.

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