In a bid to boost tourism and investment in the regional economic zones, permanent residents ( PR ) in Singapore can now travel without a visa to Bintan, Batam, and the Karimun Islands.
According to Indonesia’s director-general of emigration, foreigners with PR status can be for up to four times under the new regulations.  ,
In a statement on Tuesday ( October 8 ), Mr. Silam stated that by providing BVK ( free visit visas ) for Singapore PRs to travel to Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, it will be simpler for them ( Singapore PR holders ) to spend the weekend or just a short break, such as enjoying nature, culinary tourism, or shopping.
He added that BVK buyers can provide via the crossings at Bintan Island, Batam Island, and the Karimun Regency place.
The Riau region’s interface points will be covered by the rules. The ships that serve the complimentary attend visas for Singapore PR buyers include Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Marina Teluk Senimba, Batam Centre, Citra Tri Tunas, Sekupang, Sri Bintan Pura, Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi and Tanjung Balai Karimun.
Mr. Silmy also praised the potential for tourism in the Riau Islands, as well as the numerous special economic zones in the area, including Batam’s Nongsa SEZ and Bintan Resorts, which are integrated hubs for online business, innovative economy, and tourism.
The BVK facility for Batam, Bintan, and Karimun “aside from encouraging tourism growth,” he said in the statement.” It also makes it easier for Singapore PR holders who are interested in business or investment in ( the ) KEK ( special economic zone ) in Batam.  ,
He even warned that the peaceful requirements also require a careful selection of visitors.  ,  ,
However, he added that this plan also applies to incoming foreigners in order to lessen possible disruptions to safety and order.  ,
Mr Silmy’s speech did not elaborate on the selection process.  ,
The new legislation particularly targets Singapore PRs, providing a more simplified visa-free solution with a focus on specific regions, in contrast to the current visa-free access plan for ASEAN part states, which applies widely to tourism and short stays.
According to Singapore’s statistics ministry, there are around 545, 000 Submission living in the Lion City.  ,
These are foreign nationals who have received a continuous residency that makes it possible for them to live in Singapore permanently.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has introduced various initiatives, such as” second home” and golden visas for wealthy global citizens and foreign investors.
Bintan and Batam have recently started efforts to make it easier to go in the area. In 2022, during the COVID-19 crisis, Indonesia launched the travel bubble area, which included Bintan, Batam and Singapore. The procedure was only used at Bandar Bentan Telani dock at the time.  ,
According to local media, Indonesia’s president Joko Widodo released the most recent record of 13 nations and regions that are eligible for visa-free entry to the island earlier this year.  ,
It included Hong Kong as one of the three areas outside ASEAN and Timor-Leste to be granted an provision, along with two South American nations, Suriname and Colombia.