India's citizens might soon enjoy the convenience of visa-free travel to Indonesia, as Indonesian authorities are actively contemplating the removal of visa requirements for Indian travelers. This development, highlighted in recent local media reports, indicates that the decision could be finalized in the coming month. This initiative is part of Indonesia's broader strategy to invigorate its tourism sector, which is a key contributor to its economic prosperity, as noted by VisaGuide.World.

The initiative specifically targets increasing tourist inflow from India. Currently, Indian nationals need to secure a visa for various travel purposes to Indonesia, including work and study. However, this requirement does not apply to diplomatic and official passport holders from certain countries, including India, which already benefits from Indonesia's visa-free policy for these specific passport categories.

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, recently revealed plans to extend visa-free entry to citizens of 20 countries, aiming to attract a more diverse international visitor base. This proposal includes countries with the highest tourist footfall, barring those already enjoying visa exemptions.

The list of 20 countries poised for this visa liberalization includes not only India but also nations like China, Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany. Minister Uno is optimistic that this move will significantly boost international tourism, focusing on attracting high-value tourists who are likely to stay longer and spend more within the local economy.

This plan was unveiled during a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, highlighting Indonesia's target to generate $12.9 billion from tourism by 2024. The country witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist numbers in 2019, with 16 million visitors. Notably, there was a 124% increase in foreign visitors, reaching 9.49 million in 2019 compared to the same period in 2022.

Following the example set by Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, Indonesia is introducing these visa policy changes to strengthen its economy. Additionally, the country launched the Golden Visa Program in September, offering residency to affluent foreign nationals under specific conditions, further supporting Indonesia's economic objectives.