Everything About the Confirmed Green Lane Between S’pore & Indonesia

Singapore has come pretty far from the days where no countries responded to its overtures for travel arrangements.

As of the time of writing (12 Oct 2020), Singapore currently has travel arrangements with eight different countries according to the SafeTravel website by ICA.

And two weeks later on 26 Oct 2020, we can potentially be looking at a list of nine countries.

Applications For Travel To/From Indonesia Opens On 26 Oct

Previously, Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi came to Singapore to visit her counterpart, Mr Vivian Balakrishnan, and had a chat with PM Lee at Istana.

Then, both countries had said they’ll work out a system for green travel arrangements between both countries.

Today (12 Oct), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced that applications for the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) will open on 26 Oct 2020.

Travel will start shortly after, they added.

Open To Singaporeans, Singapore Residents & Indonesians

According to the MFA, the RGL will involve three different groups of people:

• Singaporeans
• Singapore Residents
• Indonesians

Similar to green lane arrangements with other countries, the travel arrangements are for business and official business only.

So if you’re hoping to go to Batam for cheap food and massage, you can’t do that. Yet.

More details will be released at a later date but so far, here are a few requirements agreed upon by both governments:

• Swab tests to be conducted before leaving for, and upon arrival at, the other country.
• Health institutions conducting the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests must be mutually recognized

Other details like the “procedural requirements, health protocols, and the application process” will be announced at a later date.

E-Visa & Special Counters

This isn’t included in MFA’s announcement but was reported back in early October.

In an effort to prepare for the upcoming RGL, Indonesia has been sparing no effort in coming up with adequate safeguards on their end.

Other than allocating special counters at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (near Jakarta) and Batam to separate Singaporeans from other travelers, they’re also working on an electronic visa system that is supposed to be available from 15 Oct 2020.

Other possible requirements include:

• Foreigners who want to visit Indonesia via green lane will need to apply for a visa and have a guarantor in Indonesia
• The green lane is for businessmen, skilled workers, investors, or public officials (business or official business)

It was also added that they’re revising a law that bans foreigners from entering Indonesia for the green lane arrangement.