Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi on Monday launched Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) with Singapore which enables cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes to resume between both countries.

"I would like to convey that Indonesia-Singapore negotiations on the TCA have been completed. From the Singaporean side, this TCA is called Reciprocal Green Lane or RGL,” Minister Retno said in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Monday.

She added, on the same day the Singaporean government also launched the arrangement.

According to the agreement with Singapore, the TCA/RGL will take effect 14 days after today's announcement.

"This means that the Indonesia-Singapore TCA will come into effect on October 26, 2020," RI’s Foreign Minister said, explaining that the two countries would start accepting applications on October 26, 2020, and the trip would be approved immediately within a few days according to the e-visa application for Indonesians and safe travel pass for Singaporean.

"Like the TCA that we have agreed with other countries, this TCA applies to essential business trips and urgent diplomatic and official travels," Foreign Minister Retno said.

Thus, the TCA does not apply to ordinary travel or tours, she added.

The implementation of strict health protocols will be a major part of the TCA/RGL.

The Foreign Minister explained several points from the Indonesia-Singapore TCA, among others, that the applicants are citizens of both countries, and permanent residents of Singapore who need to undertake urgent business and diplomatic travels or business essential trips.

Applicants from Indonesia must have sponsors from government agencies and enterprises in Singapore and apply for a safe travel pass.

Indonesian citizens do not need a visa to enter Singapore with those conditions. They must have sponsorship from government agencies and enterprises in Singapore, and apply for a safe travel pass.

Applicants from Singapore must have a government/business entity sponsor in Indonesia and apply for a visa by online via the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration.

In the meantime, there are two exit and entry points, namely the Tanah Merah Singapore Ferry Terminal and the Indonesian Batam Center Ferry Terminal; and Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Singapore’s Changi International Airport.

The travellers have to pass two PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. The first test should be carried out within 72 hours before departure, and upon arrival at the airport or ferry terminal.

Pre-departure PCR results are issued by mutually recognized Healthcare Institutions.

The list of recognized Healthcare Institutions will soon be submitted based on an agreement between the Indonesian and Singaporean Health Ministries.

The PCR test fee is borne by each applicant.

Indonesian passengers who meet the travel requirements according to the TCA are required to register on the TraceTogether and SafeEntry applications while being in Singapore.

Meanwhile, those from Singapore are required to register on the e-HAC and PeduliLindung applications while staying in Indonesia.

"The remaining time until October 26 will be used by the teams of the two countries to coordinate and continue to finalize preparations at the technical level, so that their respective systems are truly ready to run TCA/RGL applications," Foreign Minister Retno said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window