close_game
close_game

Visa-free getaway: Singapore residents can now explore Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun Islands hassle-free

Bloomberg | | Posted by Zarafshan Shiraz
Oct 08, 2024 06:46 PM IST

Aiming for tourism boost, Indonesia will give visa-free entry to foreigners holding Singapore permanent residency to visit Batam, Bintan and the Karimun Islands

Indonesia will give visa-free entry to foreigners holding Singapore permanent residency to visit Batam, Bintan and the Karimun Islands, aiming to boost tourism and investment in the regional economic zones.

Visa-free getaway: Singapore residents can now explore Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun Islands hassle-free (Unsplash)
Visa-free getaway: Singapore residents can now explore Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun Islands hassle-free (Unsplash)

Under the new policy, visitors can stay up to four days, Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim said in a statement on Tuesday. The rules will cover several port points in the Riau region, which contain the Karimun Islands.

Unlike the existing visa-free entry for ASEAN member states, which applies broadly to tourism and short stays, the new policy specifically targets Singapore permanent residency holders, offering a more streamlined visa-free option with a focus on specific regions. According to the city’s statistics department, There are roughly 545,000 permanent residents in Singapore, one of ASEAN members.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has introduced various initiatives — such as “second home” and golden visas for wealthy global citizens and foreign investors. Through the new policy, the country seeks to attract short-term visitors for leisure and business, especially to the Nongsa Digital Park and Bintan Resort, which are hubs for tourism and development of the digital economy.

Catch every big hit,...
See more
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, November 02, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On
// // //