Indonesia has granted visa-free entry to citizens of Brazil and Türkiye, offering 30-day stays for purposes including tourism, business, and medical treatment.

The new regulation, which took effect immediately, was announced by Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman, who stated that the policy reflects Indonesia’s efforts to deepen ties with emerging global players while diversifying its tourism market.

“This visa waiver allows citizens of Brazil and Türkiye to enter Indonesia for up to 30 days without a visa,” Yusman said, adding that the exemption applies specifically to travel for tourism, business meetings, and health-related visits.

Brazil and Türkiye already permit visa-free access for Indonesian nationals, and this latest move by Jakarta marks a continuation of reciprocal diplomacy. With this policy, the two nations join a select group of countries granted similar privileges by Indonesia, which includes several ASEAN members as well as Colombia, Hong Kong, Timor-Leste, and Suriname.

The visa waiver comes amid Indonesia’s broader strategy to attract high-spending travelers and engage non-Western middle powers, as Southeast Asia’s largest economy seeks to diversify its international partnerships beyond traditional Western tourism markets.

This decision aligns with a broader set of recent policies designed to attract foreign interest and encourage long-term stays in Indonesia. Among these initiatives are the “Second Home” visa program, which permits wealthy foreign nationals to reside in the country for up to 10 years, and the “Golden Visa” scheme, which offers long-term residence to investors and high-net-worth individuals.

These initiatives are part of President Joko Widodo’s vision to transform Indonesia into a global tourism and investment destination, especially as the country looks to recover and grow post-pandemic.

Home to more than 270 million people and boasting world-renowned destinations like Bali, Yogyakarta, Raja Ampat, and Lombok, Indonesia remains a key player in Southeast Asia’s tourism sector. By opening its doors further to strategic partners like Brazil and Türkiye, the government hopes to strengthen diplomatic relations, increase people-to-people exchange, and attract new streams of tourism revenue.

Officials expect the new visa-free policy to not only increase visitor arrivals from Brazil and Türkiye but also stimulate bilateral trade, investment, and cultural cooperation in the coming years. (ILKHA)