Indonesia has begun allowing visa-free entry to passport holders from Brazil and Turkey, effective 3 July 2025, under a new regulation issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas).
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman announced the policy in an official statement on Wednesday, saying the decision was based on reciprocal arrangements. Both Brazil and Turkey already permit Indonesian citizens to enter without a visa.
“The main consideration for granting BVK to Brazil and Turkey is that both countries have previously granted visa-free visits to Indonesian citizens,” Yuldi said.
The visa-free visit (BVK) policy is set out in Regulation of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections Number 9 of 2025 and aligns with Presidential Regulation Number 95 of 2024, which outlines the conditions under which visa exemptions can be granted. These include reciprocity, national security, and the potential to boost tourism and investment.
Limited Stay, Tight Oversight
The BVK allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days. The stay is non-extendable and cannot be converted into another type of residence permit. It is valid only for tourism, business meetings, or medical treatment.
Yuldi stressed that the policy would be enforced selectively to ensure that entrants align with Indonesia’s national interests.
“The Directorate General of Immigration supports economic development by ensuring that only qualified foreigners who can contribute positively are granted access to Indonesia,” he said.
He also noted that the government will continue to tighten supervision of foreign nationals and review the policy periodically to ensure compliance with Indonesian laws.
Related Context
The new visa exemption comes as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at increasing investment and tourism. Earlier this year, Indonesia issued 471 golden visas, which reportedly generated Rp9 trillion in foreign investment.
