Indonesia is considering granting visa-free entry to nationals of 20 countries, including the United States, China, Australia, India, South Korea, Germany, Britain and France, to boost its tourism and economy, its tourism minister said on Thursday.
The list will be finalised within a month, statement released by the tourism minister said.
Sandiaga Uno, tourism minister of Indonesia said that they have received instructions from the government to consider visa waiver. The aim of this move is to boost economy, increase tourism and foreign investment.
There were more than 16 million foreign arrivals in Indonesia in pre-pandemic 2019, according to official data.
From January to October this year, Indonesia received 9.49 million foreign visitors, an increase of 124.3% from the same period in 2022.
Thailand and recently Malaysia have also waived visas for visitors from China and India.
In September, Indonesia also announced golden visa to woo foreign individuals and corporate investors.
Asia and the Pacific lagged behind, reaching only 62 per cent of pre-pandemic levels during this period due to a slower reopening to international travel. Notably, South Asia displayed a remarkable recovery of 95 per cent, while North-East Asia trailed at approximately 50 per cent, illustrating mixed performances among subregions.
“The golden visa is granting a residence permit for an extended period of five to 10 years,” director general of immigration, Silmy Karim said in a statement.To be eligible for the five-year visa, an individual needs to set up a company worth $2.5 million. If you want a 10-year visa, an investment of $5 million would be required.
Corporate investors are required to invest $25 million to get five-year visas for directors and commissioners. They need to invest double, or $50 million, to gain a 10 year visa.
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Several international air carriers have taken the precautionary measure of suspending flight services to Tel Aviv in response to the recent Hamas militant attack on Israel. These airlines are awaiting improved safety conditions before resuming operations.
Hamas militants conducted a devastating attack on Saturday, resulting in the tragic loss of 700 lives and the abduction of numerous individuals. This attack marked the deadliest incursion since the Yom Kippur war, which occurred 50 years ago. In retaliation, Israel launched strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Air India, in response to the ongoing Hamas offensive, has suspended its operations to and from Delhi-Tel Aviv until October 14. The airline operates five weekly flights connecting the national capital to Tel Aviv, with services scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
An Air India spokesperson stated, “Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until October 14, 2023, in the interest of the safety of our passengers and crew. Air India is committed to providing full support to passengers who hold confirmed bookings on flights during this period.”
In light of the situation, Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, reassured Indian citizens in Israel that they can contact the Indian embassy for any assistance they may require.
Additionally, US-based air carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines announced the suspension of their direct flights to Tel Aviv, as did Air France. These airlines typically operate direct services from major US cities, including New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Miami.
The head of American Airlines pilots union has advised members not to fly to Israel until the situation is deemed safe. This follows the declaration of war in the region over the weekend. The Allied Pilots Association President referred to a US State Department travel advisory warning of unpredictable conditions and the potential for mortar and rocket fire.
United Airlines, in a statement, explained that it had conducted two scheduled flights from Israel to the United States late on Saturday and early on Sunday. However, services have been suspended “until conditions allow them to resume.” Delta Air Lines indicated that flights “have been cancelled into this week” while they closely monitor the situation and make necessary scheduling adjustments.Hainan Airlines, the sole Chinese airline providing flights between China and Israel, cancelled its Tel Aviv-Shanghai routes on Monday, citing security concerns in Israel. The airline also offers services between Beijing and Tel Aviv, as well as between Shenzhen and Tel Aviv, and has stated that future flight plans will be adjusted according to the evolving situation.
Cathay Pacific also cancelled its flight between Hong Kong and Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The airline intends to provide further updates regarding its next scheduled flight, which is currently planned for Thursday.
Korean Air cancelled its Monday flight between the port city of Incheon and Tel Aviv and anticipates that future flights will experience irregular schedules due to the current situation.
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