Gov’t Revises Government Regulation on Immigration

In a bid to provide ease for foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens and their families at renewing Limited Stay Permit as well as to meet the global dynamic to extend period of time of visit visa for foreigners, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on 27 June 2016 signed the Government Regulation Number 26 of 2016 on the Amendment of Government Regulation Number 31 of 2013 on the Implementing Regulation of Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration.

The new Government Regulation stipulates that diplomatic and service visa for multiple entry are valid for 12 (twelve) months since the issuance.

“Multiple entry visa is valid for 5 (five) years since the issuance,” Article 111 paragraph (2) of the Regulation says. The provision is not mentioned in the last regulation.

The Government Regulation shall also revise the stay permit period, particularly for foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens.

In the previous regulation, Visit Stay Permit for foreigners holding single and multiple entry visa shall be granted for the maximum period of 60 (sixty) days as of date of an Entry Stamp is rendered and may be renewed 4 (four) times for the maximum period of 30 (thirty) days, while Visit Stay Permit for foreigners holding multiple entry visa cannot be renewed.

However, there are some additional Articles in the new Government Regulation, that the Visit Stay Permit shall be exempted for foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens and their families holding multiple entry visa.

“Visit Stay Permit for foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens and their families may be renewed twice for the maximum period of 60 (sixty) days,” Article 136 paragraph (5) of the Government Regulation says.

The Government Regulation also stated that at the time of this Government Regulation shall apply: a. Visit Visa and Visit Stay Permit possessed by foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens shall be declared to remain valid until the valid period expires; and b. Visit Visa and Visit Stay Permit that have been proposed and have been processed but have not been finished, shall be finished under the provisions of this Government Regulation.

“This Government Regulation shall apply as of the date of its enactment” Article II of the Government Regulation Number 26 of 2016 which is promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 28 June says. (Pusdatin/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)