S'pore PRs to get visa-free entry to Indonesia's Batam, Bintan & the Karimun Islands

They can stay up to four days.

By

Khine Zin Htet

October 09, 2024, 04:35 PM

Permanent residents (PR) in Singapore can now enjoy visa-free travel to Indonesia's Batam, Bintan and the Karimun Islands.

This comes as part of an effort to boost tourism and investment in the regional economic zones, reported Bloomberg.

Foreigners who hold PR status in Singapore can stay up to four days in the stipulated areas under the new BVK (free visit visas) scheme, the director general of immigration Silmy Karim reportedly said in a statement on Oct. 8.

Singapore PRs

The new policy specifically targets Singapore permanent residency holders and offers a more streamlined visa-free option with a focus on specific regions.

This will positively impact the roughly 545,000 permanent residents in Singapore.

"Providing BVK (free visit visas) for Singapore PRs to visit Batam, Bintan and Karimun will make it easier for them (Singapore PR holders) who want to spend the weekend or just a short escape, such as enjoying nature, culinary tourism or shopping,” said Silam.

BVK holders can enter via the crossing at Batam Island, Bintan Island and the Karimun Regency area.

The rules will cover several port points in the Riau region. This includes:

Nongsa Terminal Bahari

Marina Teluk Senimba,

Batam Centre,

Citra Tri Tunas,

Sekupang,

Sri Bintan Pura,

Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi,

Tanjung Balai Karimun.

Boost tourism and economy

Currently, citizens from Asean member states have existing visa-free entry for tourism and short stays in Indonesia.

The new policy comes as a bid to attract short-term visitors for "leisure and business", especially to the Nongsa Digital Park and Bintan Resort, which are said to be hubs for tourism and the development of the digital economy.

"Apart from encouraging tourism growth, the BVK facility for Batam, Bintan and Karimun also makes it easier for Singapore PR holders who are interested in business or investment in (the) KEK (special economic zone) in Batam,” Silam added.

Selection process

The relaxed requirements will still come with a "careful selection of visitors", Silam said, although he did not elaborate on the selection process.

"Nevertheless, this policy also continues to properly select incoming foreigners so that potential disturbances to security and order can be reduced," he said.