Indonesia applies a special visa policy known as the Calling Visa Indonesia for citizens of specific countries considered to pose certain security or immigration risks.
The government classifies these countries based on potential threats related to ideology, politics, economy, socio-cultural issues, defense, and immigration. In recent years, Indonesia has restructured and reopened its calling visa procedures to balance national security with international engagement.
Eligibility Under the Calling Visa Indonesia Policy
As of now, six countries fall under the Calling Visa Indonesia category, which include:
- Afghanistan
- Israel
- North Korea
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Somalia
Foreign nationals from these countries cannot apply for standard tourist or business visas.. Instead, they must go through a specific application process designed to evaluate their eligibility based on Indonesia’s national interest and security considerations.
Types of Visas Offered Through This Scheme
Indonesia offers two visa options for eligible applicants: the Visit Visa and the Limited Stay Visa. The Visit Visa includes two types—Single Entry and Multiple Entry. The single-entry visa permits travel for purposes such as tourism, family visits, short training, emergency work, and non-commercial filmmaking, among others. Meanwhile, the multiple-entry visa supports recurring visits for activities like business talks, family matters, or pre-investment purposes.
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Calling Visa Indonesia Application Process
Applicants must either apply through Indonesia’s diplomatic missions or have an Indonesian sponsor, either an individual or a corporation, submit the application to the Directorate General of Immigration. According to the regulation, “Applicants are issued visas in the form of an affidavit, a legal written statement to be attached to the applicant’s passport.”
Indonesia limits the entry of Calling Visa holders to only two airports: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. In some cases, applicants must attend interviews at specific Indonesian diplomatic offices, such as those in Singapore, Bangkok, Berlin, or London.
Key Requirements for a Calling Visa
In addition to general visa conditions, applicants must provide supporting documents. These include a letter of guarantee from their sponsor, and for some cases, recommendations from Indonesia’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) if the planned activities involve conflict-prone areas.
Foreign nationals who live outside their country of origin may also need to present a permanent resident card. To qualify for a multiple-entry visa, applicants must show proof of visiting Indonesia at least three times within the last 12 months.
eVisa System and Post-Pandemic Reopening
The Indonesian government has reopened the electronic visa (eVisa) system for Calling Visa nationals after suspending it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arvin Gumilang, Head of Public Relations at the Directorate General of Immigration, confirmed this, stating, as cited by imigrasi.go.id, “We completed the service trial, and on Monday (23/11), we will open eVisa services for Calling Visa applicants for purposes such as family reunification, business, investment, and employment.”
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Security and Government Oversight Measures
Indonesia evaluates each Calling Visa application through a multi-agency review team. Arvin explained, “This team will coordinate and assess whether an applicant is eligible for a visa.”
The evaluation team includes representatives from several agencies: the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Manpower, the Indonesian National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the National Intelligence Agency, the Strategic Intelligence Agency of the Indonesian Armed Forces, and the National Narcotics Agency.
Through this system, the Indonesian government seeks to maintain national security while accommodating international cooperation and human rights considerations.
Expert Support for Your Indonesian Visa Journey
Indonesia’s visa policies are constantly evolving, and having the right team by your side makes all the difference. Seven Stones Indonesia is ready to answer your immigration questions with expert advice tailored to your needs.
With years of experience and a deep understanding of the latest regulations, our team is committed to helping you find the best solution for your immigration needs. If you want to explore other options to stay in Indonesia, we’re here to make the process clear and hassle-free. Get in touch today and let’s get started.
Source: tirto.id, imigrasi.go.id
Image: ALFSnaiper / Getty Images
