Indonesia scraps mandatory travel insurance requirement

Indonesia has removed its mandatory travel insurance requirement for foreign arrivals effective 8 June 2022, further simplifying the entry process. 

This, together with the scrapping of all COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers from 18 May 2022, reverts travel conditions to more or less pre-COVID times.

Indonesia removes mandatory travel insurance requirement

Foreign visitors to Indonesia were previously required to purchase travel insurance with a minimum of US$25,000 coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses. 

Effective 8 June 2022, Indonesia has removed this requirement, as per the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore’s website.

Addendum SE No 19 Year 2022

Delete at number 5 the letter f which states: For PPLN foreigners, attach proof of ownership of health insurance which includes financing for handling COVID-19 and medical evacuation to a referral hospital with a minimum coverage value as determined by the organizer, manager, or local government;

5(f) refers to this circular by the Indonesian government, which lists the requirements for entering Indonesia.

Although the requirement has been officially removed, neither the Singapore Airlines Travel Advisory page nor IATA Timatic reflects this update. This presents potential complications, as proof of travel insurance may still be asked for at check-in. 

For what it’s worth, I wasn’t asked to present proof of travel insurance at any point in my recent trip to Jakarta– not on the Singapore side, and not on the Indonesia side. And this was before the requirement was eliminated!

But in any case it’s really an academic discussion, since you should absolutely be purchasing travel insurance regardless of the mandate. I think the Australian SmartTraveller website put it best: if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

At most, this simplifies things for those who plan to use complimentary travel insurance policies obtained through their credit card, since these typically don’t issue certificates with the bearer’s name on it. 

Recap: Travel to Indonesia

Indonesia has already scrapped all COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated individuals, and the only pre-departure requirement now is to download the PeduliLindungi app and create a profile. Non-Singaporeans will also need to apply for a visa, unless they hold a passport from an ASEAN country or a country eligible for visa-on-arrival. 

As a reminder, a visa-on-arrival is only available to those entering through the following air, sea and land posts/ports.

A visa-on-arrival costs IDR 500,000 and is valid for 30 days, with the option to extend it for a further 30 days for IDR 800,000. Payment is collected on-arrival at the airport via cash or card.

ASEAN nationals and APEC Business Travel Card holders with Indonesia listed on the back are exempt from the visa requirement, and may enter for a maximum stay of 30 days (non-extendable). If they plan to stay beyond 30 days, they will need to purchase a visa-on-arrival. 

If your nationality is not eligible for a visa-on-arrival, you will need to apply for a visit visa (B211A). This is valid for 60 days, and can be extended up to two times for a further 60 days each.

Which other ASEAN countries have scrapped testing?

Only 2 out of 10 ASEAN countries still require COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers: Brunei and Myanmar.

For a list of the cheapest places to do a pre-departure ART or PCR test in Singapore, refer to the article below. 

Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore

Conclusion

Indonesia has removed its mandatory travel insurance requirement, though it goes without saying that you should still be covered regardless. 

Nonetheless, this makes things simpler for those covered through complimentary travel insurance policies issued by credit cards, or through corporate insurance policies provided by their employer.