Indonesian Immigration Policies to Enhance Foreign Investment.

Article by Palm View Properties, September 28, 2022

Earlier this month, as reported by the Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia‘s website, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, called for immediate change and reform in the immigration policies pertaining to the application processes for Visa on Arrival (VoA) and limited stay permits (KITAS), at the Merdeka Palace, Friday (09/10).

This came at the back of the President receiving numerous complaints related to immigration services from investors, tourists, and foreigners who want to apply for a limited stay permit (KITAS). He went on to say; “What does it mean? What will it bring? Inconvenience. This must be reformed, totally. It must provide ease and service. It must be reformed. It must be reformed if we want investment and tourists coming to the country.”

Indonesia is strongly emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economy benefits greatly from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and tourism. This ranges from individual and foreign/ expat families moving to Indonesia permanently, and setting up businesses (PT.PMAs), acquiring stay permits for themselves and foreign employees, as well as millions of tourists annually visiting the beautiful archipelago. In places like Bali, Raja Ampat, Labuan Bajo, Yogyakarta, Bintan and Lake Toba, tourism is arguably the number one economic driver, both local and foreign, but mainly foreign.

This contributes to job creation; education enhancement and it diversifies the Indonesian economy. However, there has been an ever-growing concern from foreign investors and tourists alike, regarding processes and systems within immigration.

As a reformed minded leader, President Joko Widodo has made a strong point for this to change, and the month of September has seen the issuance of a new circular regarding the new regulations for immigration services such as visa on arrivals and stay permits.

The Directorate General from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued a new circular with changes in regulations and policies, mainly regarding the processes involving the Visa on Arrival program and Limited Stay Permits for foreigners. In this circular addressed to the Primary High Leader within the Directorate General of Immigration, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Heads of Immigration Divisions throughout Indonesia and Heads of Immigration Offices throughout Indonesia, it states explicitly that the goal is to set up the immigration policy to simplify bureaucracy, simplify and accelerate stay permit services to support policies which will increase foreign investment to the country.

This is simply adding to an investment climate for foreigners which is already been revolutionized and simply making foreign investment more achievable and easier. There have been massive changes ongoing, which is a clear attempt by the current administration to continue to build positively on an economy set for exponential growth over the next 5 to 10-years.

The announcement from the Indonesian government to bring in the new Omnibus Law in Indonesia on March 2021, which saw the negative investment list replaced by the positive investment list, was a clear message that the country wants foreign investment, the country encourages it and adopted a pro-foreign investment mindset and attitude!

Now it will become easier, more transparent and above all, less timeous to acquire the necessary visa to be able to invest or travel and spend money in the country. It has an instant and very direct positive impact on the local souvenir vendor, restaurateur and tour guide.

Take Bali, for example; 6 months ago there was very little enthusiasm and hope started fading, local and foreign business owners and anyone related to the tourism industry was heavily impacted, the little travel and money spent was from domestic tourism and foreign expats (Business Owners.)

Indonesia is rapidly emerging from the effects of the pandemic and yes, like everything else, large numbers of tourists can have negative impacts on the environment, but for the here and the now, it is essential for these tourism dependent areas to recover and the bottom-line is that positive changes from government to accelerate and encourage investment and travel by making it easier to acquire visas, does help!

To top it all off, never has there been a greater time to invest in Indonesia, see this article Indonesia’s Golden Age: The Tiger Is Awake by our partners at Seven Stones Indonesia, on why you shouldn’t miss the investment train which is set to reach incredible destinations!

Palm View Properties has seen a 116-percent increase in business set up inquiries (PT.PMA Companies), onwards from January this year and with that goes Investor Visas (KITAS) and a nearly 1,000-percent increase in Visa on Arrival extensions from July 2022. This along with the 15-percent increase in real estate related inquiries, clearly shows that the economy is on its way to recovery and foreign investment is enthusiastic about the market.

If you are interested in doing business in Indonesia or have property related inquiries, book your free virtual consultation with Palm View Properties CEO and Founder, Desvann van Vuuren today, simply by emailing us at the email below.

For the complete Government issued Circular on the new changes in immigration policies for Visa on Arrival and Limited Stay Permits processes, please email us at info@palmviewproperties.biz

Image: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/ Agung

 

 

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Andrzej Barski

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Andrzej is Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia. He was born in the UK to Polish parents and has been living in Indonesia for more than 33-years. He is a skilled writer, trainer and marketer with a deep understanding of Indonesia and its many cultures after spending many years travelling across the archipelago from North Sumatra to Irian Jaya.

His experience covers Marketing, Branding, Advertising, Publishing, Real Estate and Training for 5-Star Hotels and Resorts in Bali and Jakarta, which has given him a passion for the customer experience. He’s a published author and a regular contributor to local and regional publications. His interests include conservation, eco-conscious initiatives, spirituality and motorcycles. Andrzej speaks English and Indonesian.

Terje H. Nilsen

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Terje is from Norway and has been living in Indonesia for over 20-years. He first came to Indonesia as a child and after earning his degree in Business Administration from the University of Agder in Norway, he moved to Indonesia in 1993, where he has worked in leading positions in education and the fitness/ wellness industries all over Indonesia including Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Medan and Bali.

He was Co-owner and CEO of the Paradise Property Group for 10-years and led the company to great success. He is now Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia offering market entry services for foreign investors, legal advice, sourcing of investments and in particular real estate investments. He has a soft spot for eco-friendly and socially sustainable projects and investments, while his personal business strengths are in property law, tourism trends, macroeconomics, Indonesian government and regulations. His personal interests are in sport, adventure, history and spiritual experiences.

Terje’s leadership, drive and knowledge are recognised across many industries and his unrivalled network of high level contacts in government and business spans the globe. He believes you do good and do well but always in that order. Terje speaks English, Indonesian and Norwegian.

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Ridwan Jasin Zachrie

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Ridwan is one of Indonesia’s top executives with a long and illustrious career in the financial world. He holds several professional certifications including being a Certified Business Valuer (CBV) issued by the Australian Academy of Finance and Management; Broker-Dealer Representative (WPPE); and The Directorship Certification for Directors and Commissioners, issued by the Indonesian Institute of Commissioners and Directors.

His experience includes being the Managing Director at one of the top investment banking groups in the region, the Recapital Group, the CFO at State-owned enterprises in fishery industry and the CEO at Tanri Abeng & Son Holding. He’s also been an Independent Commissioner in several Financial Service companies and on the Audit and Risk Committee at Bank BTPN Tbk, Berau Coal Energy Tbk, Aetra Air Jakarta as well as working for Citibank, Bank Mandiri and HSBC. His last position was as CFO at PT Citra Putra Mandiri – OSO Group.

Ridwan has won a number of prestigious awards including the Best CFO Awards 2019 (Institute of Certified Management Accountant Australia-Indonesia); Asia Pacific Young Business Leader awarded by Asia 21 Network New York USA (Tokyo 2008); UK Alumni Business Awards 2008 awarded by the British Council; and The Most Inspiring Human Resources Practitioners’ version of Human Capital Magazine 2010.

He’s a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University, Co-Founder of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute and actively writes books, publications and articles in the mass media. He co-authored “Korupsi Mengorupsi Indonesia” in 2009, which helps those with an interest in understanding governance in Indonesia and the critical issue of corruption. Ridwan speaks Indonesian and English.

Per Fredrik Ecker

Managing Director of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Per is the Managing Director of the Seven Stones Indonesia (SSI) Jakarta office and has more than 25-years’ experience in Indonesia, China, and Western Europe. He previously worked in senior management positions with Q-Free ASA, Siemens AG, and other companies in the telecom sector. Over the last six years, he has been the Chairman of the Indonesia-Norway Business Council (INBC) and recently become elected to be on the board of EuroCham Indonesia.

His most recent experience is within Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS), Telecom, and other sectors within the Indonesian market. He is today through his position in SSI and by representing Norway Connect, promoting Nordic and European companies that would like to explore business opportunities in the Indonesian market. He’s also playing an active role to help create the Nordic House concept in Jakarta that will provide an excellent platform for Nordic companies entering Indonesia, where they’ll find a community that can offer support with trusted information and affordable services to enter this market.