Indonesia has officially removed Cameroon from the list of countries subject to calling visas. This decision was made through Minister of Law and Human Rights Decree number M.HH-05.GR.01.06 of 2023, sanctioned on the 23rd of November 2023.
The Director-General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, stated that the removal of Cameroon from this list was deliberated based on considerations of economic cooperation potential and its minimal negative impact on Indonesia.
“One of the considerations for the removal of Cameroon from the calling visa country list is that it represents a potential market and entry point for Indonesian products into the West and Central African regions,” Silmy said in his statement received on Wednesday, 29/11/2023.
“Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Ministry of Trade also indicates a surplus of 32 million US Dollars in Indonesia’s trade balance with Cameroon in 2022,” he added.
Silmy explained that there has been a significant downward trend in administrative immigration measures towards Cameroonian citizens in recent years.
“Furthermore, in almost four years, Cameroonian nationals have not undergone any projustisia (immigration-related legal proceedings) in Indonesia,” he disclosed.
The removal of Cameroon from the calling visa list affects the visa application process for Cameroonian citizens, which will no longer go through a clearing house (CH).
“Immigration supervision applies as usual; Cameroonian nationals will face legal action if they violate regulations. Should there be numerous violations, Immigration can propose a re-evaluation of the calling visa withdrawal,” he elaborated.
The Directorate-General of Immigration, Silmy mentioned, is continuously evaluating countries listed under the calling visa. Currently, the evaluation process for the withdrawal of the calling visa is underway for Guinea in West Africa.
Additionally, Indonesian nationals planning to visit Cameroon are required to apply for a visa.
“For tourism purposes, visas are granted for a validity period of up to 30 days. For business purposes, visas are issued with a validity period of up to six months,” he explained.
About Indonesia’s Calling Visa 2023
“Calling visas” is a visa type issued by the Embassy or Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia abroad for specific foreign nationals intending to visit Indonesia. This visa can only be obtained if the individual, institution, or company in Indonesia extends an invitation to the concerned foreign national.
Apart from Cameroon, here is the list of countries whose citizens require a calling visa to visit Indonesia as of November 2023:
- Afghanistan
- Republic of Guinea
- North Korea
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Republic of Congo
- Liberia
- Libya
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Syria
