How Israelis Enter Bali: Dual Citizenship and Strict Visas Explained by Immigration

Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration has addressed public concerns regarding the entry of Israeli citizens into the country, particularly in light of discussions sparked by pro-Palestine activists and international influencers.

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The verification does not come solely from immigration, nor does the approval.

Eko Budianto, Director of Visas and Travel Documents, explained that Israeli citizens seeking to enter Indonesia face a stringent visa application process. This process requires verification and approval not only from immigration but also from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), and the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The verification does not come solely from immigration, nor does the approval," Budianto stated.

Budianto also revealed a second pathway for entry: dual citizenship. He noted that while Indonesia adheres to a single citizenship principle, many European countries recognize dual nationality. Israeli citizens holding passports from such countries, like Portugal, Germany, or Greece, could potentially use these to enter Indonesia, bypassing the standard visa process. "What gets verified or checked is our nationality, not our place of birth," he explained.

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What gets verified or checked is our nationality, not our place of birth. After all, one could be born in America but actually hold Indonesian citizenship.

Data from the Immigration Management Information System (SIMKIM) indicates that very few Israeli nationals successfully enter Indonesia through the standard visa process. However, field findings suggest that a number of Israeli citizens have entered using third-country passports. "When we cross-checked our SIMKIM data, specifically by verifying names and alphabetical listings, we found individuals using Portuguese passports, followed by German and Greek passports," Budianto said. These individuals entered using passports from countries whose citizens are permitted to enter under existing visa arrangements.

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When we cross-checked our SIMKIM data, specifically by verifying names and alphabetical listings, we found individuals using Portuguese passports, followed by German and Greek passports.