Indonesia Implements Bridging Visa Policy for Foreigners

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights enforces the Transitional Residence Permit policy, or the “Bridging Visa” policy.

Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, said the visa acts as a ”bridge” between the previous residence permits and the new ones.

"Thus, it is possible for foreign citizens holding Visit Visas submitted via evisa.imigration.go.id to obtain Limited Stay Permits without having to

leave Indonesian territory," said Silmy in a written statement on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Likewise, both holders of Limited Stay Permits and Permanent Stay Permits which can no longer be extended can now obtain new permits without leaving Indonesia.

Indonesia ratified the bridging visa policy on April 1, 2024. The validity period of the Transitional Residence Permit is 60 days. The visa is only valid onshore, meaning, it applies to foreigners already in Indonesian territory. "This residence permit is no longer valid if the foreigner leaves Indonesian territory," said Silmy.

Foreign citizens who aim to apply for the bridging visa must do so via the evisa.imigration.go.id page and pay the immigration fee no later than three days before the validity period of the previous residence permit expires.

The bridging visa helps foreigners save time, energy, and accommodation costs that would otherwise be incurred if foreigners had to leave Indonesia to renew their visas.

"The Directorate General of Immigration implements the Transitional Residence Permit to create legal certainty for foreign citizens residing in Indonesian territory as well as ease of service," said Silmy.

JONIANSYAH

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