Ahead of Holidays, Indonesia-Timor Leste Border Crossings Cont. to Increase

TheIndonesia.id - As holiday season approaches, authorities report that Indonesia-Timor Leste border crossing has been increasing quite significantly, reaching up to 200 persons per day.

The Atambua Immigration Office Class II in Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reported that previously, the office only served about 100 people in a day. However, the number continues to rise as holidays are nearing.

“Border crossers are increasing, reaching 200 people per day from around under 100 people as Christmas and New Year moments are approaching,” head of the office KA Halim said on Wednesday, December 14, as reported by Antara.

According to him, on Monday, 44 people were recorded entering Indonesia while 194 left the country. Meanwhile, a day later, 105 individuals entered Indonesian territory and 159 left.

Halim added that crossings in the area are done through cross-border posts (PLBN) Mota’ain in Belu regency.

Aside from people from Timor Leste, some of the border crossers were from the Philippines, South Korea, and Portugal—and they use different visa types, including visa on arrival, or VOA.

To anticipate further spike in crossing number, about 30 personnel are on standby at the PLBN to assist the process.