RIYADH, 25 July 2005 — Indonesia has announced its decision to grant visa-on-arrival to Saudi nationals from Aug. 1 in a renewed bid to boost tourism and business links between the two countries. The announcement was made on Saturday by the Indonesian Embassy following an official communication received by the mission from Jakarta in this regard.
Arif Suyoko, a spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy, told Arab News that Saudi nationals would now be able to get a 30-day visa for $25 after arrival at any Indonesian entry point. They can also obtain a seven-day short duration visa for $10. The same visa fee will be charged from visitors other 13 other countries of Europe and Middle East, which have been granted VOA facility together with Saudi Arabia.
Referring to the eligibility conditions for VOA facility, Arif said: “All Saudi nationals with valid passports can travel to Jakarta and obtain VOA.” He, however, said the permit for 30 days of stay in Indonesia could not be extended. “A 30-day visa can only be extended in exceptional cases, like in the case of a natural disaster, severe accident or prolonged serious illness,” said the spokesman.
“We are already witnessing a marked growth in the number of Saudis traveling to Indonesia,” said Arif. He said more than 27,000 Saudis visited Jakarta in 2004 compared to 24,000 in 2003. Indonesian missions had issued more than 16,000 visas to Saudi nationals so far during this year, and this number is likely to grow further following the announcement of VOA for Saudi nationals, said the spokesman.
Jakarta, he said, hoped that the new law would help bring in six million foreign tourists including a substantial number of Saudis in 2005. Tourist arrivals in Indonesia in 2004 totaled 4.54 million compared to 3.69 million in 2003. That number is expected to rise in 2005 as the new decision brings the total number of countries eligible for visas-on-arrival to 34 now.
In 2003, the Indonesian government reversed a law allowing foreigners from dozens of countries free entry into Indonesia, a decision that outraged tour operators at that time. There has been a gradual loosening of restrictions on foreign travel since last year. In the Kingdom’s case, the VOA facility was suspended by Indonesia early last year.
