Lawmaker calls for review of visa free visit policy

Denpasar (Antaranews Bali) - A lawmaker has called for review and evaluation of the visa free visit policy involving a number of countries.

The evaluation is necessary for security reason and to prevent visitors from misusing the facility to work in the country, Putu Supadma Rudana of the Commission X of the House of Representatives , said here on Monday.

Many cases have been found that foreign visitors work in the country using the visa free visit facility.

The government has adopted the policy granting visa free visits for visitors from 169 countries since 2016 to attract more foreign tourists to the country.

The policy, however is not effective for some of the 169 countries, Putu said, adding the numbers of visitors from some of the countries are not more than 150 a year.

The policy should be reviewed for at least 46 of the 169 countries as the facility offered for them is not significant in contribution to the government target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists in 2019.

"I have submitted the proposition to the government through the Tourism Ministry to review the policy involving a number of countries," he said. (WDY)