Indonesia’s Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko said that Indonesia’s selective immigration policy is not a barrier for foreigners or international tourists coming into the country.
He explained that the selective approach is a strategic tool to make sure only foreigners who bring benefits to Indonesia are allowed to enter and carry out activities.
“We are not against foreign tourists. In fact, we want to welcome quality visitors who contribute to the economy and respect the nation’s values,” Hendarsam said during a public discussion titled “Testing the Idea of Expanding Visa‑Free Entry: Opportunity or Threat” at the Nusantara Hall, Universitas Pancasila, on Wednesday .
He stressed that the policy is not meant to restrict entry, but to improve the quality of visitors and safeguard national stability.
Balancing Security and Growth
In the discussion, Hendarsam outlined immigration policy directions that balance security, sovereignty, and economic growth.
According to him, the Directorate General of Immigration plays a dual role: guarding the country’s borders through services, security oversight, and law enforcement, while also acting as a facilitator for tourism and investment.
“We have two faces — firm in protecting sovereignty, and friendly in supporting investment and tourism. That balance is what we continue to maintain,” he said.
Visa‑Free Policy Adjustments
On the Visa‑Free Visit policy, Hendarsam recalled that in 2019 Indonesia granted visa‑free entry to around 190 countries. After COVID‑19, the policy was reviewed and is now applied more selectively to 20 countries.
He said the tightening was based on reciprocity, diplomacy, and risk considerations for security and public order.
Even with fewer countries eligible, data shows the policy hasn’t slowed down foreign arrivals.
“Between 2019 and 2024, foreign arrivals actually increased by about 14 percent. This shows visa rules are not the main obstacle,” he noted.
He also pointed out that the relatively affordable Visa on Arrival (VoA) fee is not seen as a barrier for tourists.
Supporting Investment and Tourism
Hendarsam added that Immigration has also introduced policies to support economic growth, such as the golden visa program, which has attracted hundreds of high‑quality foreigners and generated foreign exchange worth Rp52.1 trillion.
He said this proves selective immigration can go hand‑in‑hand with stronger investment and Indonesia’s global appeal.
“National sovereignty is non‑negotiable. But at the same time, we ensure Indonesia remains open to the world — especially to tourists and investors who bring real benefits to the nation,” he emphasized.
Voices from Academia and Parliament
The discussion also featured other speakers: Hikmahanto Juwana, Professor of Law at Universitas Indonesia; Adnan Hamid, Rector of Universitas Pancasila; and Sugiat Santoso, Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the DPR.
▪️ Hikmahanto stressed that visa‑free policy should not only chase foreign exchange, but also consider visitor quality, social impact, reciprocity, and economic indicators.
▪️ Adnan highlighted risks of Visa‑Free Visit policy misuse, such as foreigners working illegally, which affects local labor protection and calls for stronger law enforcement.
▪️ Sugiat underlined the need for a comprehensive review of visa‑free policy, assessing its impact on foreign exchange while also factoring in tourism ecosystems, culture, and destination appeal as key drivers of foreign visits.
Source: AntaraNews
Feat Image : via Ngurah Rai Int’l Airport
