Permanent residents in Singapore can now travel visa-free to Bintan, Batam and Karimun islands
Singapore: In an effort to increase tourism and investment in the regional economic zones, Bintan, Batam, and the Karimun Islands are now visa-free destinations for Singapore‘s permanent residents (PR). Under the new regulations, foreign nationals with PR status would be allowed to remain for up to four days, according to Indonesia’s director-general of immigration, Silmy Karim.
“It will be easier for them (Singapore PR holders) who want to spend the weekend or just a short escape, such as enjoying nature, culinary tourism, or shopping, to provide BVK (free visit visas) for Batam, Bintan, and Karimun,” said Mr. Silam in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 8).
The crossings at Batam Island, Bintan Island, and the Karimun Regency region are accessible to BVK holders, he said.
The Riau region’s several ports will be covered by the regulations. Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Marina Teluk Senimba, Batam Center, Citra Tri Tunas, Sekupang, Sri Bintan Pura, Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi, and Tanjung Balai Karimun are the ports that provide free visit visas for Singapore Permanent Residents.
Mr. Silmy also emphasized the potential for tourism in the Riau Islands and the region’s multiple exclusive economic zones, such as Bintan Resorts and Batam’s Nongsa SEZ, which are integrated hubs for the creative economy, digital commerce, and tourism.
He stated in the release, “The BVK facility for Batam, Bintan, and Karimun not only promotes tourism growth but also makes it easier for Singapore PR holders who are interested in business or investment in (the) KEK (special economic zone) in Batam.”
He did, however, issue a warning, saying that guests must still be carefully chosen even with the eased standards.
“Nevertheless, this policy also continues to properly select incoming foreigners so that potential disturbances to security and order can be reduced,” he said.
The selecting procedure was not covered in detail in Mr. Silmy’s remarks.
In contrast to the current ASEAN member state visa-free entrance policy, which covers travel and brief stays in general, the new policy targets Singapore PRs particularly and provides a more streamlined visa-free alternative with a focus on certain locations.
The statistics department of Singapore estimates that there are around 545,000 PRs residing in the Lion City.
These foreign nationals are able to live permanently in Singapore since they have been given permanent residency.
The biggest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, has launched a number of programs, including “second home” and golden visas for international investors and affluent worldwide residents.
Other travel-related measures have also been undertaken by Bintan and Batam. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, Indonesia established the travel bubble zone, which included Singapore, Bintan, and Batam. The procedure was only used in the port of Bandar Bentan Telani at the time.
According to local media, Indonesian President Joko Widodo revealed earlier this year the most recent list of 13 nations and areas that are eligible for visa-free access into the archipelago.
It listed Hong Kong with two South American countries, Suriname and Colombia, as one of the three locations outside of ASEAN and Timor-Leste to get an exemption.
