Jakarta. The Indonesian government is reviewing a reciprocal visa waiver arrangement and expanded aviation cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support umrah travel and boost bilateral mobility.

Chief Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the proposal is under review, stating that cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE continues to widen across sectors including education, employment and healthcare.

He pointed to strengthening ties between the two countries, citing the UAE’s support in building mosques and healthcare facilities in Indonesia. Yusril also expressed hope for deeper medical collaboration to help address Indonesia’s shortage of specialist doctors and advanced healthcare infrastructure.

UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Aldhahheri said Etihad Airways plans to launch direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Medan and Surabaya. Emirates is also processing permits to operate wide-body aircraft to enhance connectivity between the two countries.

Yusril said Indonesia and the UAE have maintained close diplomatic relations, marked by multiple high-level visits and the recent commemoration of 50 years of bilateral ties. The UAE president is expected to visit Indonesia in the near future.

He added that cooperation has expanded beyond traditional sectors such as ports and oil into strategic areas including renewable energy, defense, healthcare and education.

Several joint initiatives are underway, including the development of a cardiac hospital in Solo, a mangrove research center in Bali, and academic cooperation between Nahdlatul Ulama University in Yogyakarta and Zayed University.

“Beyond immigration matters, the establishment of Danantara as a government investment institution, along with cooperation with the Dubai Fund, is expected to accelerate national development and economic growth,” Yusril said in a statement on Wednesday

Yusril also welcomed the growing number of UAE nationals visiting Indonesia and cited improvements in immigration services. He stressed the need to deepen collaboration in other sectors, including geothermal projects involving state-owned energy firm Pertamina.

Data from the Association of Umrah and Hajj Organizers (Himpuh) show that about 1.4 million Indonesian pilgrims departed through licensed Umrah Travel Organizers (PPIU) in 2024. However, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recorded a higher figure of 1.8 million Indonesian umrah pilgrims in the same year.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry has set the country’s 2026 hajj quota at 221,000 pilgrims. The quota remains unchanged from the previous year.