Indonesia grants visa-free entry to Singapore PRs

Indonesia unveiled a new visa-free policy for Singapore permanent resident (PR) holders, allowing them to visit the nearby islands of Batam, Bintan and the Karimun Regency for up to four days. The move, aimed at boosting tourism and investment in these regional economic zones, is part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to attract visitors from Singapore and encourage economic activity in the Riau Islands. It is expected to attract those looking for short getaways or business opportunities in Indonesia’s fast-growing economic regions.

The visa-free visit (BVK) policy permits Singapore PRs to enter through several designated ports, including Batam Center, Nongsa Terminal Bahari and Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi. These entry points connect travelers to popular destinations like Bintan Resorts and the Nongsa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which are hubs for tourism, digital business and the creative economy.

This initiative follows Indonesia’s recent introduction of other visa policies, such as “second home” and golden visas, which target wealthy global citizens and investors. It also builds on previous efforts like the 2022 travel bubble with Singapore during the pandemic, designed to facilitate travel between the neighboring regions.