Authorities in Bali, Indonesia’s famous resort, have asked the central government to stop issuing visas to Ukrainians and Russians, who have recently seen a surge in inflows. This is because citizens of both countries who entered Korea on short-term tourist visas are reportedly causing various crimes and social problems by staying illegally for a long time.
According to CNN on the 19th (local time), Bali authorities recently asked Indonesia’s Ministry of Justice to stop issuing short-term tourist visas for Ukrainians and Russians. Since the beginning of the Ukrainian war, various social problems have occurred as people from both countries have flocked to Bali, and local residents have complained of a lot of damage and applied for entry restrictions. Until last year, about 58,000 Russians had flowed into Bali, and an additional 22,500 people came in in January this year. About 7,000 Ukrainians came to Bali last year and 2,500 in January. Most of them are known to be illegally staying after entering the country on short-term tourist visas. Indonesia has been able to issue tourist visas for up to 60 days after entering the country and there are no sanctions against Russia, so many Russians, in particular, flocked. In particular, short-term tourist visas in Indonesia are called “arrival visas” and are popular because travelers can be issued just before immigration after arriving at airports and ports. Indonesia currently offers visa-issuing convenience to foreigners in 86 countries in this way. If the visa issuance is suspended, travelers must visit embassies in each country and apply for a visa in person before leaving the country. The maximum duration of arrival visas is 60.
The Balinese authorities are demanding that the central government strongly block the influx of men who entered Bali from Ukraine and Russia to escape conscription, staying through the visas, illegally finding employment, and some are committing crimes and deviant acts.
The Ukrainian side is demanding that the measures be withdrawn, saying it was the Russians who committed the illegal acts. “As of February, about 8,500 Ukrainians were in Bali,” the Ukrainian honorary consulate in Bali told CNN. “We reaffirm that we do not want Ukrainians who visited Bali to violate rules and regulations.”
Chang-young CHOI
US ASIA JOURNAL
