This is the Difference between a Tourist Visit Visa and a "Visa on Arrival"

Even though they are similar, "visas on arrival" and tourist visit visas have differences. What are the differences?

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Foreign nationals queue to pay for visas on arrival (visa on arrival) at the BNI counter at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Monday (20/10/2008).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Visa visit tourism or even visa on arrivalcan equally be used for foreigners while visiting Indonesia. However, referring to the Decree of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number M.HH-02.GR.01.04 of 2023 concerning Visa Classification, there are a number of things that differentiate these two types of visas.

”VoA (visa on arrival) and VKW (tourist visit visa) at first glance are similar in terms of their intended activities. "However, the rest is completely different," said Director of Immigration Traffic, Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Felucia Sengky, as conveyed in a press statement, Friday (19/ 4/2024).

Sengky then detailed the differences between the two types of visas. For the visa index, he stated,visa on arrival (VoA) or visit visa on arrival uses the B1 index. Meanwhile, the tourist visit visa or VKW is indexed C1.

Then, in terms of country eligibility, only 97 countries are able to obtain this VoA. It is different from the VKW which can be applied by any country.

Also read: Restore Tourism, Government Adds Countries Receiving Free Visit Visas

Another difference is related to the length of stay. VoA holders are allowed to stay for up to 30 days in Indonesia. Meanwhile, tourists with a visit visa can stay up to 60 days.

VoA and VKW are similar in terms of their activities. However, the rest is completely different.

There are differences in terms of cost and application methods between VoA (Visa on Arrival) and tourist visit visas. VoA incurs a cost of IDR 500,000, while tourist visit visas cost IDR 1,500,000 which is more expensive than VoA due to having a longer period of stay.

Also read: Various Visas to Attract Tourists to Come to Indonesia

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Tourists from Kunming, China, queued at the immigration section of the international arrival gate at Minangkabau International Airport in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra on Sunday (26/1/2020).

To obtain a VoA, visitors can obtain it directly at the immigration checkpoint at airport or port upon arrival, or submit it in advance online via evisa.imigration.go.id. Meanwhile, foreigners who wish to apply for a tourist visa online must first go through an account at evisa.imigration.go.id.

Visitors who apply for VoA can directly obtain a visa, either by applying at the immigration checkpoints at airports and arrival ports or by applying through evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

Also read: Government Will Change Passport Design, Theme Is Archipelago Cloth

In contrast to tourist visas, visitors must wait a maximum of 5 working days. The five day waiting time is used by immigration authorities to process visa verification. If approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the electronic mail (e-mail) of the guarantor or foreigner or visitor who has been registered.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Various types of Indonesian fabrics are sold at the Kartini Fitri Wastra Exchange at the Sisi Bentara Budaya Gallery, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/4/2023).

Visa extension

Sengky said that VoA can only be extended once for the following 30 days. This extension can be done online on evisa.imigrasi.go.id (specifically for e-VoA) or by visiting any immigration office throughout Indonesia.

As for tourist visit visas, according to Sengky, they can be extended for a total of 180 days. Extensions can also be done online through evisa.imigrasi.go.id or by directly coming to any immigration office throughout Indonesia.

”Please choose which visa is most suitable. "If you are still confused about other immigration information, people can use the Directorate General of Immigration's live chat at www.imigration.go.id Monday-Friday from 09.00 to 15.00 WIB," said Sengky.

Also read: Speed ​​Up Services, Directorate General of Immigration Adds "Autogate" Machines at Ngurah Rai Airport

ISTIMEWA/HUMAS KANWIL KEMENKUMHAM BALI

Documentation from the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights shows the atmosphere in the immigration area of ​​the arrival terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Badung, Bali, which is equipped with immigration autogate machine facilities.

"Autogate"

To improve immigration services, at the beginning of March, the Directorate General of Immigration also operated 30 autogates at the arrival terminal of Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. This facility can be used by Indonesian citizens or foreign citizens who have an electronic passport and hold an electronic VoA (e-VoA) and eVisa.

Also read: Restore Tourism, Government Adds Countries Receiving Free Visit Visas

This autogate system combines facial recognition (face recognition) and border control management (BCM) technology so that the inspection process only takes 15-25 seconds per passenger . The application of this technology supports an integrated immigration service ecosystem for foreign citizens, starting from the online visa application process to a more convenient immigration inspection flow.

"This autogate facility really helps make immigration inspection traffic faster, especially with the average international arrival at Ngurah Rai Airport of 14,000-16,000 people per day during the low season and 18,000-20,000 during high season. "In the future, immigration will continue to carry out further evaluation and development so that innovations can continue to run more optimally," said Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim.