Jakarta. Indonesia’s immigration chief has urged the government to reconsider plans to expand visa-free entry to additional countries, arguing that easier access does not necessarily translate into higher tourism revenue and could increase security risks.

Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said a proposal by the Tourism Ministry to grant visa-free access to several countries should be carefully evaluated to prevent the entry of “low-quality” visitors and protect Indonesia’s economic and security interests.

“We ask that this proposal be reconsidered and evaluated because Indonesia has implemented visa-free visits before,” Hendarsam told reporters in Jakarta.

Indonesia granted visa-free access to citizens from as many as 165 countries between 2015 and 2024. However, Hendarsam said the policy failed to generate a significant increase in foreign exchange earnings from tourism.

The government reduced the number of visa-free countries to just 16 in 2025 as authorities shifted toward a more selective immigration policy aimed at attracting higher-spending visitors while strengthening border controls.

Despite the restrictions, foreign tourist arrivals have continued to recover strongly. Indonesia welcomed 14.3 million international visitors in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Arrivals have continued to rise this year. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) showed foreign tourist arrivals reached 1.25 million in April, bringing total arrivals in the first four months of 2026 to 4.68 million, the highest January-April figure since 2020. The total represented an 8.24% increase from the same period last year.

Malaysia remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 16.65% of arrivals in April, followed by Australia at 12.65% and China at 10.73%.

Hendarsam said immigration authorities are responsible for protecting both national security and economic sovereignty by ensuring that foreign visitors contribute positively to the economy and do not disrupt public order.

“We do not want visitors who do not contribute positively. When visas are waived, we effectively give up a source of state revenue. We must also protect the dignity of the nation,” he said.

Security concerns have become a key consideration for immigration authorities. Officials recently worked with police to detain several foreign nationals suspected of involvement in online fraud operations in various parts of the country.

Hendarsam also warned that some foreign nationals have taken jobs that should be reserved for Indonesian workers, raising concerns that broader visa-free access could create additional challenges if enforcement mechanisms are not strengthened.

Tourism Ministry Pushes for Wider Visa Access
The Tourism Ministry, however, argues that visa-free entry is an important tool for improving Indonesia’s competitiveness as global competition for international travelers intensifies.

Earlier this month, the ministry proposed expanding visa-free access to eight countries, including Japan, South Korea, and India, as well as Australia and New Zealand. The proposal also includes extending facilities to permanent residents of Singapore.

According to the ministry, easier travel access is a key factor influencing destination choices, particularly as neighboring countries in Southeast Asia continue to liberalize travel policies.

“Visa-free access is not merely an immigration facility but an important instrument for competitiveness, economic growth, and job creation,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry cited studies by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics showing that Indonesia’s previous visa-free policy increased international tourism demand by 24% and helped create around 400,000 jobs. Revised estimates based on 2018 visitor data suggested the policy may have boosted foreign tourist demand by as much as 32.4%.

Tourism remains one of Indonesia’s major foreign exchange earners. Tourism revenue rose 6.3% in the first quarter of 2026 to $4.05 billion, while average spending by foreign visitors increased 5.36% to $1,345.61 per trip.

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