ALL international arrivals to Batam, Bintan, Karimun and Tanjung Pinang from tomorrow will be able to avail of a seven-day visa-on-arrival (VOA) for a US$10 fee. This is in addition to the existing 30-day VOA available for US$25.
Batam City Tourism Office head, Yusfa Hendri, was quoted by Antara News Agency as saying: “Currently, the seven-day visa is given only to groups with a minimum of four people travelling together. (As of July 1), it will be available to all travellers.”
The dual visa arrangement has been afforded to these gateway destinations in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, in response to an appeal by tourism stakeholders there.
Hendri said: “The new policy is good news for the tourism industry here, as it will attract more international tourists through (these gateway destinations).”
International visitors to these areas are mostly travellers from Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, as well as tourists transiting through Singapore. The majority of them stay less than seven days.
For other gateway cities in Indonesia, only the 30-day visa for US$25 is available, which can be extended up to an additional 30 days.
