Everything About The Green Lane Arrangement Between Indonesia & S’pore

Singapore’s strategy for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic is effective and simple. In theory at least:

• Test and test and test so cases can be captured earlier.
• Look for ‘safe’ partners to create travel bubbles with
• Give locals tourism credit so they can spend on (and partially save) Singapore’s tourism and travel sector.

According to ICA’s safe travel website, there are currently 8 countries which Singapore has travel arrangements with.

Well, pretty soon, it could be nine.

Everything About The Green Lane Arrangement Between Indonesia & S’pore

Previously, on 26 Aug, it was reported that Singapore and Indonesia have started talks for green lane travel arrangements between both countries.

For those who are not aware, green lane travel arrangements don’t mean you can go to Bali for a holiday.

It’s for people who need to travel to another country either for business or essential reasons.

Then, Mr Balakrishnan had said that the discussions will lead to the “gradual resumption of essential travel” between both countries in a safe manner.

Update On The Proposed Travel Arrangements

Unlike Japan and Singapore’s travel arrangements which were set up at the speed of light (not surprising given how efficient Japanese people are), the Indonesia and Singapore’s travel arrangements are still a work in progress.

However, while it’s not been finalised yet, there’s been some progress on that front.

According to CNA, Indonesia is now in the midst of preparing for the upcoming “reciprocal green lane”.

They’re working on an electronic visa service which is slated to be available from 15 Oct.

It’s almost done, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly said, but they still “need to coordinate with the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises” for Electronic Data Capture for debit or credit card payments.

Yes, got fees involved.

Special counters will also be made available at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (near Jakarta) and Batam so Singaporeans can be separated from others.

While not much details about the proposed travel arrangements are known yet, the minister did reveal a bit about them;

• 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 which bans foreigners from entering Indonesia for the green lane arrangement.

So all in all, while it’s not here yet, it seems like the green lane arrangement will be here soon.

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