Free Entry Permits by 88% Under Selective Immigration Policy
The Indonesian government has significantly reduced the issuance of visa-free entry permits by nearly 88% in the first half of 2026. This shift is part of a new selective immigration policy aimed at prioritizing economic value and national security over high visitor volume.
Why it matters
This policy change signals a broader trend of nations tightening border controls and prioritizing high-value migration over mass tourism to manage security and economic outcomes.
July 12, 2026 | 10:42 pm SHARE URL berhasil di salin. Passengers exit the departure terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Antara Photo/Putra M. Akbar) Jakarta. The Directorate General of Immigration reduced the issuance of visa-free entry permits by 87.9% during the first half of 2026 as part of a stricter immigration policy aimed at screening foreign nationals while maximizing economic benefits and safeguarding national security.
"We are prioritizing digital transformation and a selective immigration policy to ensure that every foreign national entering Indonesia contributes added value to the national economy without compromising national security," Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said in a statement on Sunday.
The tighter policy reduced the number of visa-free entry permits issued from 438,423 in the first half of 2025 to just 52,999 during the same period this year.
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