Proof of The Effectiveness of Digital Services, Indonesia Recorded an Increase in Foreign Nationals’ Arrivals

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Indonesia is renowned for its stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and lush tropical forests. From the famous Bali to the lesser-known islands like Lombok and Komodo, the country offers a wide range of natural attractions that attract visitors from around the world. 

Compared to some other popular tourist destinations, Indonesia offers relatively affordable travel options, including accommodation, food, and transportation. This makes it an attractive destination for budget-conscious travelers.

Not only that, Indonesians are known for their friendliness and hospitality towards foreigners. Visitors often appreciate the warm welcome and kindness they receive from the locals, which is why many foreigners like to visit Indonesia.

Of course, some foreigners may have different motivations for visiting Indonesia, such as business opportunities, cultural exchange, or personal interests. However, it is still contributing to the increase in the arrival of Foreign Nationals in the country.

The Directorate General of Immigration reported that in the first half of 2024, Indonesia recorded a 7.28% increase in the arrival of Foreign Nationals (WNA) compared to the same period in 2023. In the first semester of 2023 (January-July), the total arrivals were 4,741,343. Meanwhile, in the first semester of 2024 (January-July), the total arrivals increased to 5,086,765.

Most WNAs used visa on arrival (VoA) or visit visas, with Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah Rai, and Yogyakarta International Airports as the main entry points. Ports in the Riau Islands also recorded significant WNA traffic.

Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, appreciated this progress and attributed it to the effectiveness of digital services, such as online visa applications, which are connected to autogates at major airports. 

He emphasized that improving digital-based public services is a top priority, including preparing infrastructure and integrating systems with immigration databases to create an easy and fast experience for WNAs coming to Indonesia, without neglecting selective policies.

Australia is the nationality that most frequently visits Indonesia, with a total of 700,291 arrivals. This is followed by visitors from PR China, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Japan. These are the top 10 nationalities frequently visiting Indonesia, as recently released by Indonesia Immigration:

“I think this is a good progress. We are getting better, and so are my hopes for the coming periods. The digitalization of services we have implemented is quite effective with online visa applications through evisa.imigrasi.go.id and the implementation of Autogate,” said Silmy. For more information, check www.imigrasi.go.id.