VFS Global launches Indonesia e-visa on arrival service for Indians & 96 other nationalities, ET TravelWorld

In a significant move to enhance travel to Indonesia, the country’s Directorate General of Immigration, under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, has appointed VFS Global as the exclusive private service provider for its new Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) platform. Set to launch in the first half of December 2024, this service aims to simplify the visa application process for travellers from 97 eligible countries, including India.

This digital platform allows travellers to complete the entire visa process online before their departure, eliminating the need for time-consuming paperwork on arrival. By visiting the VFS Global website, applicants can submit required documents, pay fees, and receive their pre-approved e-VoA via email before their trip. The pre-payment of visa fees also ensures quicker processing through immigration counters and E-gates at Indonesian airports, offering a seamless entry experience.

Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration for Indonesia, highlighted the initiative as a part of Indonesia’s strategy to attract more foreign visitors and boost tourism. “Through our partnership with VFS Global, we aim to enhance the experience for foreign nationals visiting Indonesia. The latest digital solutions will contribute to increasing foreign arrivals, leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network and digital platform,” said Karim.

Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO of VFS Global Group, expressed excitement over the collaboration, noting that Indonesia remains a highly sought-after travel destination. “We are honoured to partner with the Indonesian government to launch a user-friendly and secure e-VoA service. This new platform will not only simplify the visa application process but also enhance the overall traveller experience, which we hope will lead to increased tourism for the country,” Karkaria stated.

VFS Global’s new e-VoA platform will provide dedicated email and live support in seven languages—English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French—with plans to add more languages for key markets. The platform also offers a group booking facility, catering to travel trade businesses and conventions, further streamlining the visa process for large groups.The platform incorporates advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, ensuring that applicant details are auto-populated, reducing errors and saving time for users. VFS Global has also established partnerships with Emirates Airlines to integrate the e-VoA service for its passengers, further facilitating the visa application process.

Additionally, dedicated Indonesia counters have been set up in VFS Global offices in Dubai, Mumbai, and Shanghai, with plans to expand to Australia soon. These initiatives align with Indonesia’s ambitious target of welcoming 14 million visitors by the end of 2024, having already recorded 9.92 million arrivals by August.

As Indonesia continues to enhance its tourism infrastructure, the introduction of the e-VoA service reflects the country’s commitment to simplifying travel, promoting tourism, and driving economic growth.