Indonesia Secures Major Breakthrough on Schengen Visa Access — Here’s What It Means for Travellers
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – July 15, 2025 — A major shift in visa policy is set to reshape how Indonesians travel to Europe, as the European Union introduces a more accessible multi-entry Schengen visa for eligible Indonesian citizens. The move, hailed as a diplomatic milestone, is expected to ease travel for purposes ranging from education and business to tourism and cultural exchange.
This breakthrough comes as part of the broader Visa Cascade System, a policy shift aimed at rewarding responsible travel behavior with enhanced visa privileges. For Indonesians, this means streamlined access to Europe’s Schengen Area — a region encompassing 26 countries with open borders for travellers.
What’s Changing?
Under the new cascade system:
- First-time applicants will follow the standard Schengen visa process.
- Repeat applicants with a clean travel record will be eligible for multi-entry visas valid for up to three years, after holding three consecutive visas.
This update significantly reduces the need for repeated embassy visits and paperwork, making travel more predictable and less burdensome. Students attending universities, entrepreneurs participating in EU trade events, and families visiting relatives will particularly benefit.
Part of a Larger Strategic Partnership
The visa reform aligns with ongoing negotiations under the Indonesia–EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) — a sweeping initiative aiming to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in sectors such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and agriculture.
Speaking during his recent visit to Brussels, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of deepening ties:
“Indonesia considers Europe a strategic and lasting partner. Europe plays a vital role in ensuring global stability, and we continue to see it as a key ally.”
The visa cascade reflects not only growing trust between both regions but also Europe’s recognition of Indonesia’s rising economic and political stature in the Indo-Pacific.
Why It Matters for Indonesians
This policy change offers several practical benefits:
- More flexible travel planning
- Longer visa validity
- Fewer embassy appointments
- Greater trust from EU border officials
It also helps Indonesian businesses operate more smoothly in Europe by allowing greater mobility for contract negotiations, exhibitions, and partnerships. For students — one of the largest Southeast Asian cohorts in European universities — it removes the hassle of applying for new visas each time they return home.
Supporting Education and Cultural Exchange
Europe continues to be a prime destination for Indonesian students, with the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium among the most popular study spots. The new visa system ensures their travel is more consistent and less interrupted, supporting long-term academic plans and holiday returns alike.
The change also promotes greater ease in arranging joint research projects, cultural festivals, religious tours, and language exchange programs — reinforcing soft diplomacy and bilateral understanding.
What’s Next?
While the European Commission has approved the policy, full implementation is expected by the end of July 2025, pending adjustments by EU embassies in Indonesia. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all diplomatic missions to update their systems and ensure smooth rollout.
Public information campaigns and updated embassy websites are expected to guide eligible travellers through the process in the coming months.
A New Era for Indonesian–EU Mobility
In an age of rising barriers, the Schengen visa cascade stands out as a step toward openness. For Indonesia, it’s more than just a visa policy — it’s a recognition of the nation's growing global footprint. From students with dreams in Paris to business leaders exploring Berlin, Indonesians now have clearer pathways to Europe — not just once, but again and again.
Source:
European Commission – EU Visa Policy Updates for Indonesia
