Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s visa-free visit policyfor 159 countries was revoked based on the outcomes of a benefit-basedevaluation, stated President Joko Widodo on June 21.

In the past, Indonesia allowed free entry, and now thecountry is evaluating whether it benefits itself or the country needs to openaccess for a country or not, the Indonesian leader was quoted by local media assaying.

He said that not only Indonesia but other countries willcertainly evaluate their visa exemption policy.

After the visa exemption policy is revoked for 159countries, nationals from only 10 countries can enter Indonesia without avisitor visa.

The 10 countries are ASEAN countries comprising Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia,Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Timor Leste.

Foreign nationals who enter under the visa exemptionpolicy are allowed to remain in Indonesia for up to 30 days, and their staycannot be extended.

They are required only to present a valid passport with a validity of at leastsix months and a return or onward journey ticket at an Indonesian immigrationcheckpoint to enter under the visa-free policy.

The decision was given following a Ministry of Law and HumanRights decree issued on June 7. The decision stated that the visaexemption policy has affected the lives of residents in Indonesia, as it is afactor that caused immigration violations, public order disruption, andtransmission of diseases./.