Atambua Immigration Begins to Serve Border Crossers from Timor Leste

TheIndonesia.id - Immigration Office Class II, Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) Atambua, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, has started serving the issuance of Visit Visas on Arrival (VKSK) for border crossers from neighboring Timor Leste. The first VKSK service began on Tuesday at the Motaain Cross-border Post (PLBN), Belu Regency, witnessed by the Immigration Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Dili.

"The VKSK service is an Immigration facility that aims to make it easier for foreigners from Timor Leste who enter Indonesia for certain tours or visits," said Head of the TPI Class II Immigration Office Atambua KA Halim in a statement received in Kupang, Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

The VKSK service is a follow-up to a circular from the Indonesian Government regarding the ease of immigration in supporting sustainable tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indonesian government makes it easy for 43 countries, including Timor Leste, to enter Indonesian territory, one of which is by using immigration facilities, namely VKSK or Visa on Arrival (VoA) specifically for tourism.

Halim explained foreign nationals who want to use the VKSK facility must show a passport that is still valid for at least 6 months and make a visa payment in advance at the BRI Bank counter in collaboration with the Immigration Office available at PLBN Motaain. Furthermore, the Immigration document inspection is carried out by the Immigration officer following applicable regulations.

He said the VKSK provision is expected to ease the way for foreign nationals, especially from Timor Leste to travel or visit family. "Visiting activities are now smoother. Timorese citizens can easily visit family in NTT after two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

However, Indonesian Immigration urges foreign nationals to use VKSK facilities according to their designation and not to be misused such as for work. "Immigration officers will always monitor every foreigner who enters the territory of Indonesia so that they can carry out their activities under the provisions of the visa/residence permit they have," said Halim.