Indonesia reviews 30 day ASEAN visa waiver after 210 arrests in Batam
Why the 2023 visa-free suspension still shapes entry today
Indonesia suspended visa-free entry for 159 countries in June 2023 through Minister of Law and Human Rights Decree No. M.HH-GR.01.07 and the halt remains in force. Only 10 ASEAN states kept their 30-day visa-free access: Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Immigration officials are now reviewing even that ASEAN waiver after a Batam raid in May netted about 210 foreign nationals tied to online scam and illegal gambling rings, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights said. Several suspects held passports from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos and Myanmar, per AFP. No new decree, country list or start date has been published.
Who gets squeezed by the rules in force
Non-ASEAN tourists, digital nomads and short-stay visitors already pay for entry. Most use the Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, valid 30 days with one 30-day extension or a pre-arranged visit visa under the framework reclassified by MOLHR Decree No. M.IP-08.GR.01.01/2025 on June 2, 2025.
Citizens of the 10 ASEAN states still enter visa-free for 30 days, though that status is what the review targets. Any tightening would push them onto VOA or pre-arranged visit visas.
Expats on KITAS, ITAP, second-home visas, investor visas or the golden visa aren't the focus of the review, which centers on transient offenders. Re-entry checks and sponsor scrutiny may stiffen, immigration officials said.
Practical steps before booking
- Confirm current status on the Directorate General of Immigration website before travel; the 2023 suspension list and ASEAN waiver can shift by ministerial decree without long notice.
- Apply for the e-VOA online ahead of arrival if eligible, then carry proof of onward travel and accommodation.
- Remote workers staying beyond tourist purposes should match the visa class to the activity, because the scam crackdown is tied to enforcement of the no-work rule on visa-free and VOA status.
- Second-home and golden visa applicants should verify the latest property value and capital thresholds with a licensed agent before transferring funds.
Watch for follow-up visa updates tied to the review. Read our full Indonesia guide for the complete picture.
Frequently asked questions
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