SEOUL – South Korea will officially implement a temporary visa waiver program for Indonesian tour groups starting this Thursday, authorities announced on Wednesday.
The program allows groups of Indonesian tourists to enter South Korea without applying for a visa during the trial period. It is part of the South Korean government's efforts to stimulate the tourism industry, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to officials, the program will run for a set period and applies only to tour groups registered through designated travel agencies. Indonesia is one of South Korea's major potential tourism markets in Southeast Asia.
The temporary visa waiver decision followed discussions between South Korea and Indonesia on measures to strengthen tourism cooperation. The number of Indonesian tourists visiting South Korea is expected to increase significantly as a result of this policy.
No details have been released yet on the maximum group size or allowed length of stay. South Korean officials said they will assess the program's effectiveness before deciding whether to extend it to other countries.
