Indonesia's Audit Board Backs Selective Visa Policy, Recommends Review of Broad Visa-Free Entry Plan

Indonesia's Audit Board (BPK) member Nyoman Adhi Suryadnyana stated on August 6 during the presentation of the 2025 financial audit report for the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) that the immigration directorate's role goes beyond generating non-tax state revenue (PNBP) — it is also tied to national sovereignty.

The immigration directorate currently applies a selective visa issuance policy, weighing factors such as reciprocity, economic benefit, security risk, and the quality of incoming foreigners. In line with this, BPK recommended a review of the Visa-Free Visit (BVK) policy, which broadly applies to 169 countries, warning that its full reinstatement could cut state revenue by as much as Rp 3.02 trillion per year.

According to Nyoman, the temporary suspension of BVK had a positive impact on state revenue, with immigration-sector PNBP reaching Rp 7.61 trillion in 2023 — 327.03% of the target. Meanwhile, foreign visitor arrivals that year still rose to over 10.6 million, which he cited as evidence that the selective visa policy has not hindered international mobility or tourism growth.

BPK recommended that any plan to broadly reinstate visa-free entry undergo a comprehensive review involving relevant ministries and agencies, limiting the facility to countries offering real benefits, practicing reciprocity, and posing manageable immigration risks. Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko added that success cannot be measured by PNBP growth alone — the state must maintain control over the entry, stay, and activities of foreigners in Indonesian territory.