Immigration Policy during the COVID-19 pandemic

International travel is becoming near impossible during this pandemic. This gives raise to many questions about what to do if you are unable to enter or leave Indonesia. We provide a comprehensive FAQ on the current Indonesian Immigration Policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This FAQ is up-to-date as of May 10th, 2020. For the latest update please check directly with the Indonesian Directorate of Immigration. Links provided at the end of this article.

Overstay Immigration Policy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to COVID-19, I cannot leave Indonesia before my stay permit expires. Is there a fine for overstaying?

No. However, if the overstay is for more than 60 days prior to January 1, 2020, you will be blacklisted.

Stay Permit, KITAS/KITAP and Emergency Stay Permit

How do I apply for an Emergency Stay Permit?

They are given automatically. There is no need to go to immigration.

Can Emergency Stay Permit be given to someone in Indonesia and whose stay permit is extendable?

Yes. Emergency Stay Permit is given to all Stay Permit holders in Indonesia.
Exceptions: Diplomatic and Service Stay Permits.

How long is the Emergency Stay Permit valid?

It is valid until the pandemic is over as determined by authorities.

I am a D212 Visit Stay Permit holder who has been given Emergency Stay Permit. Can I use the D212 after the pandemic?

Yes, if it is still valid at that time.

Visit Stay Permit (B211) was not extended because an Emergency Stay Permit was given. After the pandemic, will it need extending?

Emergency Stay Permit does not affect the validity of the previous stay permit. The procedure for extending Stay Permit will be given in regulations after the pandemic is over.

A holder of KITAS or KITAP has applied for Exit Permit Only (EPO). However, they cannot leave Indonesia. Can they get Emergency Stay Permit?

Yes. They are allowed to leave when transportation becomes available. While in Indonesia they may not perform work activities.

How can Emergency Stay Permit holders leave Indonesia?

They may leave in any normally available way.

My destination country is not under lock-down. Flights are available. However, I choose to stay in Indonesia for safety reasons. Can I get an Emergency Stay Permit?

Yes.

When the policy of Emergency Stay Permit ends, can a holder of KITAS/KITAP apply for an extension?

The procedure for extending Stay Permit will be given in regulations after the pandemic is over.

A foreigner has been granted notification from the Ministry of Manpower to extend KITAS. Will they get KITAS extension or Emergency Stay Permit?

They will get an Emergency Stay Permit. However, their work activities must comply with current rules and regulations.

I have a KITAS/KITAP but it expired abroad, or I am a KITAP holder but my MERP will expire while I am overseas. Can I get come back?

Yes. On May 8th immigration changed the guideline so that those with expired KITAS/KITAP abroad, or KITAP with expired MERP will be allowed to enter Indonesia.

The following conditions apply:

Entry by air is allowed via Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan and Batam airports only.
Entry by sea is via Batam Central and Citra Tritunas ports only.
Provide certificate of health or fit to fly letter from local health authorities.
Statement of agreement to a 14-day quarantine either by the government or in self-isolation.

Infographic from Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration

Services for Indonesian Citizens in Immigration Offices

Can I apply for a passport at this time?

At the moment, passport application is only for those with:
a) serious illness needing immediate treatment (physician’s letter required), or
b) another documented emergency for travelling.

What are examples of emergencies for travelling?

Some examples:

Indonesian migrant workers who are on vacation but are still under contract abroad.
Recipient of scholarships from abroad.
People travelling for the purpose of helping the fight against COVID-19 in Indonesia.

I have a queue number from prior to the pandemic. Is it still usable?

Yes. When passport services return to normal, the queue numbers will be usable.

Do I have to come to the Immigration Office to get my passport?

Passport are stored by Immigration Offices. You can get your passport when the situation returns back to normal.

My Indonesian passport expires soon. Do I have to apply for a new one right away?

There is no need to replace an expired passport right away. Also, there are no fines for not replacing an expired passport.

Stuck in Indonesia due to COVID-19? Why not brush up on your Bahasa Indonesia? Check out our article on free online resources to learn Indonesian.

Immigration Checkpoint Policy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Do Indonesians need to show Health Certificate to enter Indonesia?

No. However, they will undergo medical check-ups at the point of entry.

Can foreign worker candidates with Limited Stay Visa (VITAS) enter Indonesia?

Only if they are going to work at a National Strategic Project.

What is a COVID-19 free region for the 14-day quarantine policy?

As of now, almost no country in the world is free from COVID-19. Foreigners who are still eligible to enter Indonesia (see above) must show:

1. Health certificate (in English) from health authorities in the country of origin.
2. Letter stating willingness to self-isolate or isolate at a government facility under the supervision of the Ministry of Health for 14 (fourteen) days.

Visa Services During COVID-19

Is Visa service still open at this time?

With few exceptions, Immigration no longer accepts visa applications as of April 2, 2020.

Exceptions:
1. Diplomatic Visas
2. Service Visas.
3. Worker VITAS for foreign workers on National Strategic Projects.

What about those who have been granted visa approval telex but cannot collect their visas?

You can collect the visa if you are one of the exceptions above. Updated policy as of May 10th: Telex issued after January 1, 2020 will now automatically re-validate for 60-days. The 60-days begins when BNPB (National Disaster Management Authority) declares the emergency to be over. Exceptions for visas issued at these missions: Muscat, Nur Sultan, Baghdad, Shanghai, Pyongyang, Vanimo, Port Moresby, Suva, Baku, Pretoria, Harare, Abuja, and Caracas.

I have a visa now, but can’t travel due to the pandemic. Can I it use later?

Updated policy as of May 10th: Visas issued after January 1, 2020 will now automatically re-validate for 90-days. The 90-days begins when
BNPB (National Disaster Management Authority) declares the emergency to be over. Exceptions for visas issued at these missions: Muscat, Nur Sultan, Baghdad, Shanghai, Pyongyang, Vanimo, Port Moresby, Suva, Baku, Pretoria, Harare, Abuja, and Caracas.

What are the projects in the National Strategic category?

Information on National Strategic Projects: kppip.go.id