JEDDAH, 20 April 2004 — Saudis can no longer get a visa on arrival in Indonesia, a change the Indonesian missions here say reciprocates new Saudi visa restrictions for Indonesians.
“We introduced the visa in advance for Saudi visitors to Indonesia only after the Kingdom changed its visa policy for Indonesians,” a senior official at the Indonesian Consulate General told Arab News yesterday.
Until Feb. 1, Saudis were given visas on arrival in Indonesia. “Now, they need a visa in advance,” said Sabilillah Maqom, consul for information.
The country’s visa policy is mostly dependent on reciprocity, he said. It is a decision either based on bilateral agreements or determined by the visa policy a country implements toward Indonesians.
The flow of Saudi businessmen and vacationers to Indonesia, however, continues to be “more or less” the same, he said. The consulate has been issuing an average of 30 visas a day to Saudis since the change became effective.
Visas usually take only a day to process. Saudis need a passport valid for at least another six months, a return or onward ticket, two photographs and a fee of SR150 for a one-month single entry visa.
The visa is extendable for five more months, but this is subject to the approval of the immigration authorities in Indonesia. The heads of diplomatic missions based in the Kingdom will have to clear applications for multiple visas.
The consul said visas on arrival continue to be issued for visitors from many countries — exceptions are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Indonesia’s Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) is applicable to nationals of 20 countries .
The nationals of the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the UAE, Finland, Hungary, the UK, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan will be able to apply for a VoA valid for either three or 30 days upon arrival in Indonesia. A three-day visa will cost $10 while a 30-day visa will cost $25.
Eleven countries that retain visa-free status and need not purchase a VoA are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Chile, Morocco, Peru, and Vietnam.
Citizens of countries not on the VoA or Visa Free lists are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy, consulate or overseas mission.
Overstaying a tourist visa (or any visa) is a serious offence in Indonesia. Penalties include fines, blacklisting, confinement and deportation.
“There are only a few ‘legitimate’ reasons for overstay, the main one being inability to travel due a verified illness or injury,” he said.
