Turkey Aligns With Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau and Belarus as Indonesia Expands Visa Free Access to Attract More International Travellers, Strengthen Tourism Growth and Build New Global Visitor Markets

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Indonesia is opening a new chapter in international tourism by expanding visa-free access for travellers from Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau and Belarus, creating fresh opportunities to increase foreign visitor arrivals and strengthen global connectivity. The move forms part of Indonesia’s wider strategy to make travel easier, improve destination competitiveness and attract more international tourists without increasing visa costs.

The expansion comes as many global destinations are raising visa charges and introducing stricter entry requirements. Indonesia is taking a different approach by focusing on travel facilitation, believing that easier access can encourage more visitors, increase tourism spending and support economic growth across its destinations.

Under Immigration and Corrections Ministry Regulation No. 10/2026, which came into effect on July 9, citizens from the newly added markets can enter Indonesia without applying for a visa for tourism and social visits. Travellers from these countries and territories are allowed to stay for up to 30 days, providing greater flexibility for short-term holidays and cultural journeys.

The latest expansion brings the total number of countries and territories eligible for Indonesia’s visa-free entry programme to 19. The policy reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening international tourism by reducing administrative barriers that can influence destination choices.

Turkey is among the important markets expected to benefit from the new arrangement. Easier access could encourage more Turkish travellers to explore Indonesia’s diverse tourism offerings, including Bali’s world-famous beaches, cultural attractions, wellness experiences and nature-based destinations. The simplified entry process may also support stronger travel connections between Indonesia and the wider Eurasian market.

Brazil and Peru represent significant opportunities from Latin America. Indonesia’s expanded visa-free policy could help attract more travellers from South America who are looking for unique long-haul destinations offering tropical landscapes, cultural heritage, adventure experiences and luxury tourism options.

For Brazilian visitors, Indonesia’s islands, marine attractions and cultural destinations provide a strong appeal. The removal of visa requirements can make travel planning simpler and encourage more tourists to consider Indonesia alongside other international holiday destinations.

Peruvian travellers may also benefit from easier access as Indonesia seeks to increase visibility in emerging long-haul markets. The policy could support growth in cultural tourism, eco-tourism and adventure travel by making Indonesia more accessible for visitors from Latin America.

Kazakhstan is another important addition to Indonesia’s visa-free programme. As outbound tourism from Central Asia continues to expand, Indonesian destinations could become more attractive to Kazakh travellers seeking warm-weather holidays, island experiences and international leisure trips.

The inclusion of Macau strengthens Indonesia’s connections with Asian travel markets. Visitors from Macau can now access Indonesia’s tourism destinations with fewer procedures, potentially supporting more short breaks, family holidays and premium travel experiences.

Belarus also joins the expanded list, creating new opportunities for Indonesia to attract visitors from Eastern Europe. Easier entry procedures could encourage more Belarusian travellers to explore Indonesia’s natural attractions, cultural heritage sites and resort destinations.

The government’s decision to expand visa-free access is supported by international tourism research showing that simplified entry procedures can significantly influence visitor demand. The World Travel and Tourism Council has highlighted that visa facilitation policies can increase international tourist arrivals by reducing travel barriers and improving destination accessibility.

Indonesia’s own tourism experience has demonstrated the potential impact of easier travel policies. Previous government data showed that improved visa access contributed to a 32.4 per cent increase in foreign tourist arrivals, while tourism foreign exchange earnings increased by more than 33 per cent.

Research from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has also shown that visa-free arrangements can generate stronger tourism flows. According to the findings, economies with simplified visa policies recorded average increases of around 27 per cent in tourist arrivals.

The latest visa-free expansion arrives during a period of strong tourism performance for Indonesia. Between January and May 2026, the country recorded 6.07 million international tourist arrivals, representing a 7.68 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

The growth highlights Indonesia’s continued appeal among global travellers despite challenges affecting the international tourism industry. The country’s combination of natural attractions, cultural experiences, hospitality infrastructure and competitive travel policies continues to support its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading destinations.

Domestic tourism has also remained an important contributor to Indonesia’s travel economy. During the first five months of 2026, domestic trips reached 523.22 million, showing continued strength in local travel demand.

International travel movements have also remained favourable. Indonesia recorded a surplus in tourism travel flows, with foreign tourist arrivals exceeding outbound travel by Indonesian citizens. Between January and May, the country achieved a surplus of 2.37 million trips, representing strong year-on-year growth.

Looking ahead, Indonesia plans to continue improving tourism competitiveness through destination development, sustainability programmes, digital transformation and international promotion. The government is focusing on creating higher-value tourism experiences while improving safety, convenience and visitor satisfaction.

Several strategic initiatives are being developed, including tourism safety improvements, village tourism expansion, premium tourism products, international events under the “Hidden by Indonesia” campaign and the development of Tourism 5.0.

Tourism 5.0 aims to integrate artificial intelligence, digital platforms and tourism data systems to improve the overall visitor experience. These technologies are expected to support smarter destination management, personalised travel services and more efficient tourism operations.

Through expanded visa-free access and continued tourism investment, Indonesia is positioning itself as a more accessible and competitive destination for international travellers. The inclusion of Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Macau and Belarus marks a significant step in widening Indonesia’s global tourism network and attracting new visitor markets.

While some countries are increasing visa costs, Indonesia is strengthening its tourism appeal by making travel simpler. The strategy highlights the country’s ambition to increase international arrivals, support local economies and build a stronger presence in the global tourism landscape.