Indonesia weighs visa-free expansion after 24% tourism demand boost

Indonesia is weighing a significant expansion of its visa-free entry programme as policymakers seek to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia, although immigration officials have raised concerns over border security, enforcement, and lost visa revenue.

The Ministry of Tourism has proposed widening visa-free access beyond the current 16 eligible countries under an ‘8+1’ framework, initially covering Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Macau, and Singapore permanent residents. China, the US, and several European markets are also under government review.

The proposal comes as Indonesia’s visitor economy continues to recover strongly. International arrivals reached 15.4 million in 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, while 4.68 million overseas visitors were recorded between January and April 2026, an 8.24% year-on-year increase, according to government figures.

Tourism officials cite research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics showing Indonesia’s previous visa-free programme increased international tourism demand by 24% and supported around 400,000 jobs. The Ministry estimates a broader scheme could lift inbound demand by a further 32.4%.

Any expansion could increase outbound travel to Indonesia from key source markets, potentially driving higher demand for travel medical, cancellation, and assistance cover. However, uncertainty over visa policy underlines the importance of monitoring entry requirements, as immigration authorities continue to prioritise security and compliance alongside tourism growth.