Indonesia offers a special visa exemption scheme for certain foreign nationals who hold valid Singapore residence permits. This policy allows eligible travellers to enter Indonesia without applying for a visa as long as they pass through designated Immigration Checkpoints and meet all entry requirements. The scheme supports short visits for tourism, family trips, and limited non-working activities.
Who Qualifies for Visa Exemption?
Visa-free entry under this category does not apply to all Singapore residents. It is strictly available to foreign nationals who hold one of the following eligible passes issued by Singapore:
• Singapore Permanent Resident Holder
• Singapore Long Term Visit Pass for the spouse and/or child of a Singapore Permanent Resident
• Student’s Pass Holder
These travellers may enter Indonesia without a visa only if they use one of the approved immigration entry points in the Riau Islands Province (Kepulauan Riau).
Where Can Eligible Travellers Enter Indonesia?
The visa exemption is valid exclusively at specific ferry terminals located in the Riau Islands Province, which is the Indonesian region closest to Singapore. These terminals are situated across three major islands: Batam, Bintan, and Karimun.
These checkpoints are frequently used due to direct ferry routes from Singapore.
Batam Island Immigration Checkpoints
• Nongsa Terminal Bahari
• Marina Teluk Senimba
• Batam Centre
• Citra Tri Tunas
• Sekupang
Batam hosts the highest number of ferry arrivals from Singapore. Its ports provide fast, frequent connections and are commonly used by travellers under this exemption scheme.
Bintan Island Immigration Checkpoints
• Sri Bintan Pura
• Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi
Bintan’s entry points serve both local travellers and tourists heading to the resort areas of the island.
Karimun Island Immigration Checkpoint
• Tanjung Balai Karimun
This checkpoint supports ferry routes used by travellers from Singapore and nearby islands in the Riau region.
Requirements for Visa-Free Entry
To benefit from this visa exemption, travellers must:
- Hold a valid Singapore PR card, Long Term Visit Pass, or Student’s Pass.
- Enter Indonesia only through one of the approved immigration checkpoints listed above.
- Ensure that their travel purpose complies with Indonesian immigration rules (tourism, visits, non-working activities).
- Present a valid passport and supporting Singapore-issued permit upon arrival.
Entry approval is fully at the discretion of Indonesian Immigration officers at the checkpoint.
Limitations of the Visa Exemption Scheme
The visa-free facility does not allow:
• Entry through airports or ports outside the Riau Islands Province
• Employment or income-generating activities in Indonesia
• Conversion to other visa types or stay permits
Travellers who wish to stay longer, engage in business activities, or apply for Indonesian visas such as C1, D1, D12, Investor KITAS, or Nomad KITAS must use the proper visa application channels. Flado can assist with such visas.
Why This Policy Exists
Indonesia introduced this visa exemption to support regional mobility between Singapore and nearby Indonesian islands. These locations maintain strong tourism, economic, and cultural links, and many Singapore-based residents frequently travel to Batam, Bintan, and Karimun for leisure and short trips.
Summary
Foreign nationals who hold certain Singapore residence passes may enter Indonesia without a visa when arriving through designated checkpoints in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun. This visa exemption is limited in scope but provides a convenient way for eligible Singapore-based residents to visit Indonesia for short, non-working trips.