Conditions for Singaporean on Batam-Bintan Travel Bubble

TheIndonesia.co - Free Visit Visas (BVK) Circular Letter (SE) issued by the Directorate General (DG) of Immigration, Indonesia's Ministry of Law and Human Rights, regulates the provisions of Singaporean tourists who will travel to Bintan area and Batam Island.

"The BVK facility is provided in line with the travel corridor cooperation between Bintan, Batam, and Singapore, known as the travel bubble," said Public Relations Sub-Coordinator of the Directorate General of Immigration Ministry of Law and Human Rights Achmad Nur Saleh in Jakarta, Monday, January 31, 2022.

The SE BVK also stipulates special immigration provisions for Indonesian citizens (WNI) and foreign citizens (WNA) other than Singaporeans who want to vacation in Bintan and Batam. The provision of special tourist BVK facilities for Singaporean citizens is carried out by placing an entry sign (on the passport) which is valid as a Visit Stay Permit (ITK) for a maximum of 14 days and cannot be extended.

"Prior to their arrival, they must have been in Singapore for at least 14 days," he said.

Some of the requirements that must be shown upon arrival at the Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) include a passport that is still valid for at least six months, a return ticket to Singapore through the same Immigration Checkpoint. Next, ownership proof of health insurance, booking confirmation proof, and payment for accommodation from the provider.

The designated Immigration Checkpoints are Nongsa Maritime Terminal in Batam and Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi in Tanjung Uban, he said.

Meanwhile, foreigners other than Singapore citizens who can be given an entry sign to Batam or Bintan include transportation crews, holders of valid visas or residence permits, holders of diplomatic passports or official passports, and holders of the APEC Business Travel Card.

Visas and residence permits referred to in this case are diplomatic visa service, visit visas, limited stay visas, official residence permits, diplomatic stay permits, limited stay permits, and permanent residence permits. Immigration officers will sort or separate immigration checkpoints, both in the arrival area and departure area.

Finally, he reminded foreigners who violated the established immigration regulations, public order, health protocols, as well as illegally entering and exiting the travel bubble's boundaries, will be subject to sanctions.