Indonesia Officially Removes Cameroon from Calling Visa Country List

JAKARTA – The government has officially removed Cameroon from the list of countries subject to calling visas in Indonesia. This decision was confirmed through the Minister of Law and Human Rights Decree (Kepmenkumham) Number M.HH-05.GR.01.06 of 2023, ratified on November 23, 2023. The exclusion of Cameroon from the calling visa country list is based on various considerations, including the potential for economic cooperation and the low negative impact (vulnerability/risk level) on Indonesia.

“One of the considerations for removing Cameroon from the calling visa country list is that the country is a potential market and entry point for Indonesian products to West and Central Africa. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Ministry of Trade also show a surplus of 32 million US dollars in Indonesia’s trade balance with Cameroon in 2022,” said the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, on Tuesday (28/11/2023).

Silmy also explained that there has been a significant downward trend in Administrative Immigration Measures (TAK) against Cameroonian nationals in recent years. Additionally, there have been no projustisia cases involving Cameroonian nationals in Indonesia in almost four years.

The removal of Cameroon from the calling visa country list affects the visa application procedure for Cameroonian citizens, who no longer go through the clearinghouse (CH). They can now apply for a visa online through evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Immigration supervision of Cameroonian citizens is now applicable, similar to other foreign nationals.

“Immigration supervision applies as usual; Cameroonian nationals will be acted upon if they violate any rules. If there are many violations, Immigration may propose to reevaluate the revocation of the calling visa. The Directorate General of Immigration continues to evaluate countries included in the calling visa country list. Currently, the process of evaluating the withdrawal of calling visas is underway for Guinea in West Africa,” Silmy added.

On the other hand, Indonesian citizens intending to travel to Cameroon must apply for a visa. For tourism purposes, visas are granted with a validity period of up to 30 days. Meanwhile, for business purposes, visas are granted with a validity period of up to six months.