Effective February 1, 2004, Indonesia will introduce wide ranging changes in the national visa-free and visa on arrival system. We've tried to summarize those changes here for your convenience.



Visa Free on Arrival

In the past the nationals of 48 nations were given a 60-day stay (visa free) upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway.

Under the new rules effective February 1, 2004:

• Only 11 countries and territories will be eligible for a "Visa Free" facility, they are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

• Nationals of the aforementioned countries and territories will be issued with a 30-day stay permit without charge upon presentation of a valid passport with 6 months remaining validity.

• The Visa Free Facility is not extendable or convertible into another type of visa.



Visa on Arrival

Beginning February 1, 2004, the nationals of 21 countries will be able to obtain a "Visa on Arrival" processed at the gate of entry following the payment of an official fee.

• The citizens of 21 countries and territories eligible to purchase visas on arrival are: the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

• The citizens of the aforementioned countries must hold a passport with at least 6 months remaining validity at the time of arrival, present a completed embarkation/disembarkation card provided by the airlines, be able to demonstrate they have sufficient means to live during their stay in Indonesia, not be listed on any official blacklist of individuals prohibited from entering the country, and pay the stipulated fee to obtain a visa.

• The Visa on Arrival fee for citizens of eligible countries is US$ 25 for a 30 day visa and US$ 10 for a 3 day visa.

• The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into another class of visa.

• Immigration authorities promise the visa purchasing system will take no more than 3-5 minutes per applicant. 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer have been set up to process payments.

• Once payment is completed the tourist will proceed to an immigration counter for final inspection of documents and visa issuance.



Visa on Arrival at Limited Gateways

Initially, the visa on arrival facility will only be available at the following international gateways:

• Airports: Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Manado.

• Seaports: Batam, Tanjung Uban (Bintan), Belawan (Medan), Sibolga (Sumatra), Dumai, Teluk Bayar (Padang, Sumatra), Padang Bai (Bali), and Jayapura (Papua).



Applying for Visas Before Arrival

Citizens of countries not included on a visa-free or visa-on-arrival lists must apply for a visa overseas before arriving in Indonesia. Citizens of any country wishing to stay more than 30 days must also apply for an appropriate visa at their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before traveling to Indonesia.



Special Facilities

A certain number of special facilities are being introduced in connection with the new visa policy, including:

• Tour Agents are able to arrange express handling for groups at no additional charge by presenting the completed immigration cards, passports and applicable visa fee.

• Passengers who overstay their visa period for a short period of time can be processed immediately at the airport by paying US$ 20 for every day they "overstayed" their 30 day visa.

• Airlines that experience technical difficulties or delayed flights can apply for their passengers to be exempted from paying any "overstay" penalties.



A Short Guide To Indonesian Visas

At present their are six types of visas granted to foreigners in Indonesia:

• Visitor's Visas

• Temporary Resident Visas

• Permanent Residence Visas

• Special dispensations for Ships' crews

• Free Visas on Arrival

• Visas issued on arrival for a fee.



Visitor Visas

Within the category of Visitor Visa there are 4 classes of visitor visas:

• Sosial Budaya Visas - literally a Social-Cultural visa usually issued to visit families and dependents, for individuals to visit a social organization with which they have an affiliation, and to those involved in cultural exchanges of training programs.

• Business Visas typically issued to business people on short term work assignments, negotiations, or training assignments.

• Tourist Visas available to nationals of countries not eligible for a free visa on arrival or a visa issued on arrival for a fee and issued to visit tourism sites or assist in the facilitation of foreign tourists visiting Indonesian.

• Visitor Visas for those on Government Service issued to the employees of foreign governments and international organizations on assignment in Indonesia or private foreign contractors employed by the Indonesian government.



Stay Permits

• Limited Stay Permits are given to individuals holding limited validity entry permits including children and dependent of foreigners on temporary resident visas and the Indonesian-born children of an Indonesian mother.

• Permanent Stay/Residency Permits are given to the Indonesian-born children of foreigners holding permanent residency in Indonesia and foreigners who successfully apply for permanent residency in Indonesian.



Special Dispensation for Ship's Crews (DAHUSKIM)

A special category of stay permit for foreigners employed as crews on foreign registered ships and oil platforms.



Special Note

The above information is only meant as a general guide to visas available to foreigners in Indonesia. Complete details on immigration requirements can be obtained from the Consular Section of your nearest Indonesian Embassy.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for the Economic Affairs, Mr. Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, told a meeting of tourism industry leaders that part of the funds collected from the unpopular pay-for-visa system to be introduced on February 1, 2004, would be used to help fund the Nation's battle on terrorism.

Quoted in the English-language Jakarta Post, the Minister also assured the tourism players that the visa program was only a temporary measure and would be dropped "when the situation is back to normal." According to the press report "normal" is defined by when terrorists cease to be a threat to national security.

Responding to the Minister's comments, Mr. Ben Sukma, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) insisted that funding the war on terror should not be the burden of the tourism sector and should, instead, be funded from the state budget.

Although the changes in the visa policy that will see the nationals of many countries pay US$ 25 for a 30 day visa upon arrival in Indonesia seems certain to go ahead on February 1, 2004, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, I Gede Ardika, has promised that the Government will cancel the charges if it is demonstrated that the visa policy has hurt tourism.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, the Minister said that following an initial six month introduction, the policy and its effect on the tourism sector would be reviewed.

Opposition from Industry Leaders Continues

The Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agents (ASITA) Mr. Ben Sukma, was quoted in the Indonesian-language Bisnis Indonesia, saying, "there is certain to be a downturn in tourism visitors. We are not sure how many, but the government tourist arrival targets for the year will not be met." Because of this, Sukma has promised to continue to lobby for a delay or repealing of the unpopular pay-for-visa-on-arrival system.

Government by Trial and Error

Bali's travel leaders continue to participate in the chorus opposed to the immigration policy change. Mr. Putu Agus Antara, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board and Mr. Agung Prana, Chairman of the Bali chapter of ASITA have termed the visa policy as government by trial and error. While accepting that the new policy is largely a fait accompli, they have urged the government to waste no time in repealing the measure if it is proven to adversely reduce arrivals or if the Government fails to deliver on its promise to process the purchased-visas in 2-5 minutes per foreign visitor.

Figures that Don't Add Up

As reported in past articles at balidiscovery.com, the economics of the new visa policy just don't add up.

Consider the following:

• The Government is targeting 5 million visitors for 2004.

• Assume that 2 million of that total come from countries required to pay a US$ 25 visa fee on arrival; the gross receipts of revenues collected by the Government will total US$ 50 million.

• Divide US$ 50 million by US$ 1,000, which is the estimated average spend of a tourist visiting the country. The resulting figure of 50,000 is the number of tourist that must be lost from arrival totals to result in a zero sum game between visa fees collected and foreign exchange lost through tourist spending.

• Thus, a loss of anything more than 1% in total tourist arrivals resulting from the new visa policy means the national economy will come up a loser.

According to reports in the English-language Jakarta Post (26/1), the Director General for Animal Husbandry has publicly admitted that cases of avian influenza are present in Indonesia since August 29. Avian influenza is a deadly epidemic for poultry populations; it's variant affecting human beings is commonly referred to as bird flu.

While mentioning that cases of infection among poultry populations have been confirmed in 9 provinces, the Director General, Mr. Sofian Sudjarat, said that there is no evidence of the disease having spread to Indonesia's human population.

A Cover-Up?

The latest statements from the Government are at variance with earlier reports that have attributed the death of millions of chickens in East Java and Bali over the past three months to New Castle Disease, which while deadly to poultry is believed to pose no threat to human beings.

Because the disease has only affected bird populations, officials are refusing to say bird flu exists in Indonesia.

The Jakarta Post suggested a possible cover up in official's handling of the disease when they quoted Mr. Marthen Malole, a researcher at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, who said the government had refused to make the disease public following pressure from certain multinational companies involved in the poultry industry.

Mr. Marthen has been involved in bird flu research in West Java since September.

Mr. Sofian Sudjarat has denied these charges, saying that laboratory test results confirming avian influenza only became available to the Government on Thursday, January 22, 2004.

According to the Directorate cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in 9 provinces and 17 regencies across the country, including Central Java, East Java, West Java, Yogyakarta, Lampung, Bali, Banten, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.

No human infections of bird flu have been identified in Indonesia, unlike Thailand and Vietnam where a number of human patients have been diagnosed and several victims have succumbed to the disease.

On Monday, January 19, 2004, Indonesia's Chief of Police, General Da'I Bachtiar, traveled to Bali to formally inaugurate the Bali Public Safety Services 9-1-1 Emergency Response Center.

Housed in an impressive physical structure costing Rp. 250 billion (approximately US$ 29.4 million) the 3-storey facility has at its heart a command center equipped with data screens, remote camera monitoring systems, and the latest communications gear.

Dial 112 Not 911

Modeled on similar systems in operation in the U.S.A., Europe, and Australia - any resident of Bali can now dial "112" (not "911," despite the name) and operators/facilitators manage a response by police, fire services and ambulances promised to happen all within minutes.

GPS Positioning System

As part of the new capabilities for heightened response by local police a total of 57 police patrol cars are now outfitted with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), allowing senior officers at the Center to instantly know the exact location of the nearest patrol car to an emergency scene. According to local press reports, the GPS positioning system is also linked to a special hand phone carried by the Chief of Police for Bali, allowing him to instantly monitor his officers' deployment in the field.

Remote Surveillance Cameras

Police will also be able to monitor around the clock a number of areas around the island through the installation of remote cameras with real time links to the Control Center. Initially 16 surveillance points are in operation including the Ubung Bus terminal, Kuta Beach, Kuta Square, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan Diponegoro, and the work areas of various elements of the police force.

Funds to build the Emergency Call Center were provided by Indonesia's Ministry of Social Welfare as part of the response following the terrorist attack of October 12, 2002.

The Bali Tourism Authority (BTA) has launched a "Healthy Restaurant Campaign" in order to upgrade the hygiene and health standards of local restaurants and provide assurances to tourists visiting the island.

The voluntary system of screening will see dining establishments undergo inspections every three months of their ice and water supply; and food, equipment and staff health reviews every six months.

According to Dr. I Gde Pitana, the Chief of the BTA, of the 370 restaurants formally registered in Bali, 92 have already joined the certification program. Dr. Pitana also pointed out that restaurants in all star-rated hotels already hold health and hygiene certifications.

Those restaurants having passed the health certification process will have their names published in a directory published by the BTA and at the BTA's Website.

More information: Bali Tourism Authority Website

Ministers from 23 Asia-Pacific countries, six international organizations, and representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia are all expected to attend a meeting on counter terrorism scheduled to be held in Bali February 4-5, 2004.

The meeting, co-sponsored by the Indonesian and Australian Governments, was agreed to by both governments just days after the July 29, 2003 bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta that left 12 dead and many others injured.

The meeting will mark the opening of a counter terrorism center in Indonesia funded by Australia and Indonesia and is expected to explore ways to increase cooperation in the war on terror among law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The meeting will also reportedly draft an agreement for the establishment of a central forensic laboratory and anti-terror training center.

At an Interpol Executive Police Conference on Counter Terrorism just concluded in Bali, the Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) outlined the region's plan to build capacity of regional economies to improve security.

Ambassador Makarim Wibisono told the meeting of senior police officers in Bali that APEC's counter terrorism programs start with identifying the needs of developing economies to build their capacity to counter the terrorist threat.

"The need to strengthen the institutional capacity of governments to combat terrorism is essential for protecting the people and economy of the Asia Pacific region," Ambassador Wibisono told the conference.

"These needs are being coordinated between the APEC Counter Terrorism Task Force and international organizations such as Interpol and the ADB to match each economy's unique situation.

"APEC's programs aim to strengthen security against terrorist threats while simultaneously boosting trade efficiency."

"APEC Member Economies have prepared individual Counter Terrorism Action Plans listing specific counter terrorism objectives. These plans are now being analyzed by APEC working groups to identify gaps in the region's counter terrorism capacity and to seek ways to strengthen security in these areas.

"APEC supports the efforts of law enforcement and other security officials by working with other international organizations and helping to build political will for the implementation of new security standards.

"APEC initiatives to protect critical infrastructure, track terrorist finances and prevent the movement of terrorists across borders is contributing to the work of law enforcement agencies. These measures are aiding governments in their efforts to apprehend terrorists and to prevent attacks from taking place."

APEC has 21 members - referred to as "Member Economies" - which account for more than 2.5 billion people, a combined GDP of 19 trillion US dollars and 47% of world trade. It also represents one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth over the past 10 years.

Sergio Carlei is a "new Australian" who emigrated with his wife, Mary, from Calabria and only recently began his commercial plunge into viticulture, starting from a simple mud-brick house he built next to his winery in Upper Beaconsfield, just east of Melbourne.

Sergio's path to wine-making fame has followed a most circuitous route. Although coming from a family with a wine-making tradition, his initial career in Australia was as a petro-chemist. Concerns regarding the health risk posed by toxins, caused him to later turn his talents to chiropractic medicine, nutrition, and small-scale winemaking.

In 1996, Sergio was diagnosed as suffering from cancer, causing him to embark on the battle of his lifetime to detoxify his body and his environment. With his cancer going into remission two years later, his battle was a seeming success with Sergio explaining, "chemicals in the vineyard are the problem, not what's done in the winery."

Understandably, The Green Vineyards approach to winemaking emphasizes organic wines and quality for, indeed, life is too short to drink bad wine. His vines are grown without artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and with a reliance on biodynamics - a process that uses nature's cycles to enhance a wine's flavor.

Producing under The Green Vineyards and The Carlei Estate labels, Sergio Carlei's wines are winning distinctions and honors unusual for wines that trace their roots to only 1997. The Carlei Estate 1998 Shiraz has won gold medals for two consecutive years at the Southern Victoria Wine Show and US Wine & Spirit Magazine judged the 1998 Green Vineyard Shiraz as the 3^rd best Australian Shiraz.

An Evening of Italian Cuisine and Sergio Carlei's Wine

Amanusa Resort is presenting Sergio Carlei's Italian-style wines and selected wines from Primo Estate in concert with an Italian menu created by Chef Marcel on Wednesday, January 28, 2004.



The Menu

Antipasti Misto

Chicken liver crostini, grilled asparagus, buffalo mozzarella and garlic, chili marinated olives

2003 Primo Estate 'la biondina' Colombard

Zuppa di peperoni con camperi all' olio di basilico

Roasted garlic, yellow capsicum soup with sautéed prawns and basil oil

Caramella pasta di porcini e ricotta all' olio di tartuffo biancoFilled pasta with ricotta, porcini mushrooms served with white truffle oil

2001 Carlei 'Green Vineyards' Chardonnay

Saltimbocca di pollo con risotto milanese

Chicken saltimbocca with parma ham, sage and saffron risotto

2000 Carlei 'Green Vineyards' Shiraz

Semifreddo di noci con salsa a caffè

Slice of hazelnut and pistachio nut parfait served with coffee anglaise

Coffee or tea

Soft almond and lemon biscotti



Bookings and Reservations

Bookings for this culinary event are available at Rp. 550,000 (approximately US$ 65) per person all inclusive. Reservations or more information can be requested via the e-mail link below or by calling the Amanusa Resort at ++62-(0)361-772333 (extension 702).

Aperitifs in the bar commencing from 7 p.m. with dinner in The Restaurant at 8 p.m.

More information: E-mail the Amanusa Resort

Officials at the State Power Company (PLN) are on tenterhooks, praying no major breakdowns in the Java-Bali power grid before the introduction of new power-producing capacity comes on line in April 2004.

Power Demand at a Maximum

Current power demand levels of 800 megawatts are threatening the stated reserves of only 600 megawatts. PLN officials are confident that they can distribute power and avoid blackouts providing no major failures occur in their power production infrastructure.

PLN is asking consumers and the commercial sector to conserve power use wherever possible to reduce the overall strain on the power grid.

More Power Available in April 2004

A new gas-powered electricity generation plant is currently being built by Siemens at Muara Tawar on Java. That plant, expected to commence operation in April 2004 will bring much needed additional 800 megawatts of reserve power for Java-Bali.

The Search For Power

At present some 2.5 million potential new customers for power hook-ups are on a waiting list nationwide. Once these customers are connected to PLN an anticipated 500 megawatts will be needed to those living on Java and Bali.

With the assistance of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bali Tourism Authority and Bali Village, representatives of the Nation's tourism hotels and tour companies are endeavoring to make a strong showing at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) 2004 to be held in Berlin, March 12-16, 2004.

Indonesia will have its own pavilion in Hall 26 (Stand 209) at the show and has adopted a Central Java theme featuring the ancient Borobudur temple in an exhibition area covering 690 square meters.

Representatives from Lombok, Sumbawa, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, North Sumatra, Sulawesi and Bali have already registered to participate in the stand available to Indonesian tourism players at Euro 1,100 for Company's wishing to have a private table and only Euro 750 for those prepared to share.

Strong Bali Showing Expected

While registration is still open via the Bali Village Office, some 28 Bali travel organizations have already registered to take part, including: Sol Melia Indonesia, White Rose Hotel & Spa, Tour East Indonesia, Accor Hotels Bali – Lombok, Balihai Resorts & Spa, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bagus Discovery Bali, Pacto Tours, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas, Keraton Jimbaran Resort Bali, Limbunan Tours & Travel Service, Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort Bali, Panorama Tours DMC, Marintur, Legian Beach Hotel, Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Hilton International in Indonesia, Alila Hotels and Resorts, Inna Hotel Group, Resort Seminyak, Harris Resort Kuta, Bali Niksoma Boutique Beach Resort, Go Vacations Indonesia, Hard Rock Bali, Villa Lumbung, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, Archipelago Resort, Camplung Sari Hotel.

Participants in the Indonesian booth at ITB will also be featured in a Travel Mart and Exhibition and on-air live broadcast with Jazz Radio Berlin; an Indonesian Press Conference scheduled for Friday, March 12, 2004; a business breakfast (tentative) on Monday, March 12, 2004; and a cocktail gathering at the Indonesian pavilion on Monday, March 15, 2004.

Registration Still Open

Bali travel operators wishing to participate in the Indonesian Pavilion should contact Bali Village at the e-mail link provided below or by calling ++62-(0)361-2888878 or facsimile ++62-(0)361-289427.

More information: Bali Village E-mail

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