Social media post claiming permanent residency requirement for Indonesian visa from Malaysia triggers debate over documentation and eligibility criteria

Confusion erupted among Bangladeshi travellers following social media post claiming permanent resident status in Malaysia is mandatory to obtain Indonesian e-visa, prompting corrections and debate over actual requirements.

Nazila Rishan Ahran, Chairman of Yayasan AL-Insan Bandung, uploaded two photos in public Facebook group on Friday afternoon stating that Bangladeshi passport holders on tourist visas in Malaysia cannot apply for Indonesian e-visa. Post included WhatsApp reply purportedly from Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia.

Mahabub Hasan, worker at Public Gold - Pelaburan Emas Malaysia  responded cautiously, questioning whether Bangladeshi citizens with Malaysian Permanent Resident Permit can actually obtain Indonesian e-visa. His procedural approach highlighted need for precise eligibility criteria rather than assumptions before making public claims.

Muhibur Rahman, worker at Bayang Coffee and Google Local Guide - Malaysia expressed frustration comparing Indonesian e-visa documentation unfavorably with Philippines and even European Union visas, implying excessive bureaucratic hurdles exist. Islam Mohammad Waliul echoed stronger sentiment, stating Indonesian Embassy in Manila demanded ‘more documents than USA and Europe’, leading him to abandon application process altogether.

These remarks illustrate how perceived administrative rigidity damages Indonesia's image as accessible destination among Bangladeshi travellers planning Southeast Asian trips.

Most analytically grounded intervention came from Mushfiq Hasnain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder at Ejatra, who challenged original claim as ‘Vua Golpo’ or false narrative. He clarified shared information misunderstands embassy's response and stressed key structural issue regarding sponsorship requirements.

“Infact for e-visa, you don't need any local sponsor”, Hasnain explained, reframing debate from residency status to nationality-based restrictions embedded in e-visa system. His explanation suggests confusion stems from misinterpretation of official policy rather than actual permanent residency requirement.

Discussion exposes significant gap between official policy communication and public interpretation, where anecdotal experiences and partial information quickly generate misleading conclusions. This creates uncertainty for Bangladeshi travellers planning Indonesian visits from Malaysia or other countries.

Comment thread reflects mix of confusion, frustration and corrective intervention surrounding Indonesian e-visa requirements for Bangladeshi passport holders residing in Malaysia. Experiential accounts from different embassies suggest inconsistent documentation demands across Indonesian diplomatic missions.

Issue highlights broader challenge facing Bangladeshi travellers navigating visa requirements for popular Southeast Asian destinations. Growing outbound travel from Bangladesh, which has increased 12%-15% annually over last five years, makes clear visa policy communication increasingly important.

Travel industry experts suggest embassies should provide standardized, accessible information to prevent spread of misinformation through social media channels where travellers increasingly seek advice and share experiences.