Indonesia weighs visa-free entry cuts to combat foreign national fraud

What Indonesia is reviewing

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration is reviewing whether to keep visa-free entry in place for some countries after a series of scam-related arrests tied to foreign nationals entering the country. Director General Silmy Karim said on May 7 that the agency is weighing stricter rules if border screening and intelligence checks don’t stop the fraud cases.

The review is still in the planning phase. No effective date has been set and officials haven’t said which nationalities could be affected.

Who could feel the change

The current visa-free system gives ASEAN citizens up to 30 days without an application or fee. Other eligible travelers can use a Visa on Arrival or eVoA, while remote workers can still apply for the Remote Worker Visa (E33G).

The scrutiny is focused on abuse of short-stay entry, not on the remote-worker route. Still, any tightening would matter most to tourists, short-term visitors and nomads who depend on Indonesia’s faster entry options.

What travelers should do now

Recent arrests include 210 foreign nationals in Batam City, along with other cases in Batam, Sentul and Sukabumi. Immigration officials said the current review will only turn into policy changes if prevention efforts fail.

Apply only through the official eVisa website and check every immigration email carefully. Phishing campaigns and fake visa agencies are already circulating, so travelers should verify messages before paying anything, according to visa updates.

Read our full Indonesia guide for the complete picture.