Indonesia has signed visa-free agreements for diplomatic and service passport holders with Lebanon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Dominican Republic.
The agreements were signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on 23 September 2026 in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The agreements are part of Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and increase official exchanges with the three countries.
The agreements, known as the Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports (PBVDD), apply specifically to holders of diplomatic and service passports. They do not introduce visa-free travel for Indonesian citizens holding ordinary passports.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreements are expected to increase interaction between Indonesia and the three countries while creating opportunities for wider bilateral cooperation. The ministry also described the arrangements as a possible first step towards encouraging visa-free facilities for the wider public in the future.
Indonesia and Lebanon Discuss Economic and Regional Cooperation
The agreement with Lebanon was signed by Sugiono and Lebanese Foreign Minister and Emigrants Yousef Raggi.
During their bilateral meeting, the two ministers discussed opportunities to strengthen economic and development cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in Palestine.
Raggi also expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s contribution to peace and stability in Lebanon through its participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Indonesia has contributed personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission since 2006.
The discussions therefore covered both practical bilateral cooperation and broader regional issues, alongside the new visa arrangement for diplomatic and service passport holders.
Cooperation with Caribbean Countries
Indonesia also signed a PBVDD agreement with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The agreement was signed by Sugiono and Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs.
The two sides discussed strengthening communication and government cooperation, including opportunities in development. One area raised during the meeting was capacity-building for the diversification of mango and breadfruit products.
Meanwhile, Sugiono signed the agreement with Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Víctor Orlando Bisonó Haza. The two ministers discussed the agreement as a way to facilitate official mobility and build greater trust between Indonesia and the Dominican Republic.
They also discussed opportunities to expand trade and investment through the Indonesia-Latin America and the Caribbean (INA-LAC) Business Forum. Established by Indonesia in 2019, the forum provides a platform for developing trade, investment and tourism links with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The three agreements were concluded as Indonesia used the UN General Assembly week for a series of bilateral meetings. Alongside the visa arrangements, discussions with the three countries covered economic, development and international cooperation.
For now, the visa exemptions are limited to diplomatic and service passport holders. Any future extension to ordinary passport holders would require separate arrangements between Indonesia and the respective countries.
