The recent issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 95 of 2024 on Visa-Free Entry by the Central Government is set to reinvigorate the tourism sector in the Riau Islands Province (Kepri), particularly enhancing the influx of international tourists.
Signed by President Joko Widodo on August 29, 2024, the regulation is a strategic move by the government to ease access for tourists into Kepri, aiming to meet the regional target of attracting 3 million international visitors. The local government has long advocated for this change, citing the previous visa regulations as a significant barrier to tourist entry.
Governor Ansar Ahmad of the Riau Islands expressed strong support for the new regulation, emphasizing its potential to significantly improve tourism performance and investment climate in the region. “We are grateful to the Central Government for this development, which is critical for achieving our tourism targets,” Ahmad stated during a work visit to Karimun District on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The regulation simplifies the short-term visa process, with a special seven-day stay provision that has been previously approved by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. However, the implementation of this provision is pending the establishment of a specific Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) tariff for short-term visas, which is essential for activating this incentive.
Moreover, the regulation extends visa-free privileges not just to tourists from 13 specified countries but also to expatriates and permanent residents from Singapore. This inclusion is anticipated to particularly benefit Kepri, given its proximity and historical ties with Singapore.
Guntur Sakti, Head of the Kepri Tourism Office, highlighted the broader impact of the regulation. “The inclusion of permanent residents from Singapore under the visa-free policy will not only boost tourism but will also enhance Kepri’s competitive edge in the regional tourism market,” explained Sakti.
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The expatriate population in Singapore, estimated between 1.7 to 2 million, represents a significant potential market for Kepri’s tourism sector. “If the permanent residents of Singapore can indeed enter Kepri without a visa, it would tremendously benefit our tourism climate, increasing both visitor numbers and investments,” added Ahmad.
The new visa-free entry regulation is expected to create substantial economic opportunities for Kepri by increasing tourist visits and encouraging investment. The local government is eagerly awaiting the detailed implementation guidelines from the immigration authorities to fully capitalize on this policy.
With the enactment of Presidential Regulation No. 95 of 2024, Kepri looks forward to a boost in tourism and investments, particularly from Singapore. The regulation, which offers visa-free entry to 13 countries including privileges for Singaporean expatriates and permanent residents, is seen as a strategic move to enhance Kepri’s appeal as a competitive tourist destination in the region.
