​Citizens of 47 more countries (including Australia) getting visa-free entry to Indonesia starting Oct

UPDATE: ​Er.. So it looks like Australians won’t be getting visa-free entry to Indonesia after all

Back in June, Indonesia added the citizens 30 countries to the list of those allowed to enter Indonesia without first purchasing a tourist visa, bringing  the total number of countries with visa-free travel exceptions to 45. The new countries included China, Japan, South Korea, United States, Russia, United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

One notable exception to the visa-exemption list was Australia, whose citizens make up one of the largest groups of foreign tourists that regularly come to Indonesia (but especially Bali). Although the government denied it, many saw the visa-free snub as a sign of worsening relations between the two countries in the wake of the heavily criticized execution of two Australian citizens in April.

While it may not necessarily be a sign of improving political relations between the two countries, we know many Australians will be happy to hear that, starting in October, they will also be able to travel to Bali (or y’know, other parts of Indonesia) without having to purchase a tourist visa. 

Australia is one of 47 countries being added to the visa-exempt list in October, according to Maritime Coordinating Minister Rizal Ramli. 

“So now there are a total of 92 countries given visa-free entry,” Rizal said today as quoted by Tempo. 

Other countries mentioned as being added to  the list include India, Taiwan, Vatican City and San Marino.

Rizal said the addition of more countries to the visa-free list should further boost the number of foreign tourists coming to Indonesia. He noted that President Joko Widodo’s government aims to attract 20 million tourists over the next five years in order to boost the economy and create new jobs.

Rizal said the new visa exemptions would be effective starting October of this year. He said that the Directorate General of Immigration would create special immigration counters at airports and ports specifically for visa-free visitors in order to streamline the process.