Indonesia to review impact of new VOA

Indonesia?s immigration ministry will review the Visa on Arrival (VOA) facility within three months, in response to concerns by the tourism industry.

The immigration office had withdrawn the seven-day VOA costing US$10 while offering only the 30-day visa at US$25, which the trade feared would affect regional travellers who stayed less than seven days (TTG Asia, February 19).

Ministry of Culture and Tourism director general of tourism destination development Firmansyah Rahim said: ?We had a coordination meeting with director general of immigration Muhammad Indra on the issue, and have agreed to review the impact in three months. An evaluation team has been formed.?

Rahim said the immigration office was also looking into other possibilities, such as issuing multiple-entry visas for expatriates living in Singapore to enable them to visit Batam and Bintan repeatedly without the hassle of applying for a VOA on every visit. 

Sourced = The e Travel Blackboard