Yes its now official DGCA policy.You must have 500 hours on type, in order for the DGCA to approve a foreign pilots licence validation, for example B737 or A320.You will not be able to be employed if you dont have this so will be wasting your time coming here without those hours.This apparently in response to the very many expats going to Indonesia to gain some jet time, or time on type to qualify for more lucrative jobs back home etc.
I was just checking out the website of batavia airlines and the minimum requirments for a FO B737/A320 are:
1. CPL ME IR holder;
2. min. on type 100 hours
Is this the same for an expat? Because that means you don't need the 500 hours.