Indonesia's New Visa Policy

Miguel's Diving has received notification regarding Indonesia?s new visitor visa requirements that will go into effect on 1 February 2004. We understand that citizens of eleven countries that offer visa-free travel to Indonesians will be exempt from this new policy. These countries are Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

We hear that the new "pay and go" visa mentioned below will only be available to citizens of certain countries. The list we have received is:
Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and USA.

Citizens from countries not listed will have to apply for a visa in from an Indonesian Embassy. Please verify how this new policy will affect you with your country?s embassy. The following information sheet from the American Consular is quoted in its entirety.

Subject: CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET -- INDONESIA

Attached please find information on changes in Indonesia visa regulations for American citizens, from the updated Consular Information Sheet for Indonesia, released Jan. 13, 2004. This may be of particular interest to people planning travel to Indonesia after Feb. 01, 2004.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport valid for at least six months and an onward/return ticket are required. As of February 1, 2004 all American visitors to Indonesia will need to obtain a visa. Travelers may apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C. or at the airport upon arrival.

Visitors may be granted a 3-day visa for a fee of $3 or a 30-day visa for a fee of $25. Both visas are non-extendable, and travelers must exit the country for at least two weeks before they can return. A visitor's visa for business purposes and social/cultural stays of longer duration require a letter of intent/sponsorship from the employer and/or sponsor. For up-to-date information, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia: 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore; main tel: 6737 7422.

Indonesia strictly enforces its immigration/visa requirements. Several Westerners, including Americans, have been jailed for visa violations. Violators may also be subject to substantial fines. Please consult the Criminal Penalties section below for further information.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

To see the complete CIS for Indonesia, please visit this link at the State Department's Travelers Information website: http://www.travel.state.gov/Indonesia.html

Changes in Flying after Diving Guidelines

The Flying After Diving Workshop held in North Carolina, USA in May 2002 produced the following recommendations.

For scuba diving within the no-decompression limits
Single dives: a minimum preflight surface internal of 12 hours is suggested.
Repetitive dives and/or multi-day diving: a minimum preflight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested.

For scuba diving requiring decompression stops
A minimum preflight surface interval greater than 18 hours is suggested.

These recommendations apply to flights at altitudes between 600 meters (2,000 feet) and 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) and to divers without symptoms of decompression sickness. Following these recommendations does not guarantee that a diver will avoid DCS.

These changes are based on work by Buehlmann and Vann et al that suggests that immediate ascent to 600 meters (2,000 feet) altitude is possible with low risk of DCS. In light of this research, the US Navy in 1999 adopted more flexible guidelines. PADI is incoporating these revised guidelines in its training programs.

This is good news for guests of Miguel?s Diving who wish to get in two morning dives the day prior to boarding the morning jet to Manado. Our ?Jet Set Get Wet? dive and hotel package reflects the changes in these guidelines.