Batam Immigration Records 87 Non-Compliant Passport Applications
The Batam Class I Special Immigration Office (TPI) has found 87 problematic passport applications between January and May 2026. These applications could not be processed due to several administrative obstacles identified during the submission process.
Kharisma Rukmana, Head of the Immigration Information and Communication Section at the Batam Office, stated that the most dominant cause was duplicate applications. In several cases, applicants applied for new passports even though immigration data showed they still held or had previously held a passport.
“The most dominant reason for rejection is the duplication of applications. Applicants applied for new passports, whereas based on immigration data, they still or had previously held a passport, meaning they should have applied for a passport replacement in accordance with applicable regulations,” he said on Tuesday (30/6).
According to him, errors in selecting the type of application service are still quite frequent. Many applicants do not yet understand the difference between a new passport application and a passport replacement. This situation leads to submissions that do not comply with immigration administrative regulations.
In addition to duplicate applications, Batam Immigration also identified other obstacles, such as incomplete administrative requirements, discrepancies in identity data, and applicants failing to meet requirements or providing inconsistent information during the examination process.
Kharisma explained that the office is continuously striving to reduce the number of problematic passport applications through increased public education. This education is conducted through various communication channels, ranging from social media and official websites to direct socialisation activities.
“Education will focus on understanding the appropriate types of passport applications, the requirements that must be met, and the importance of ensuring that the data submitted is correct and matches the applicant’s condition,” he said.
In addition to strengthening socialisation, immigration officers will also increase assistance and information provision to the public before the passport application process begins. This step is expected to minimise administrative errors from the initial application stage.
Kharisma added that these efforts are part of improving the quality of public services in the field of immigration. With better public understanding of passport procedures, the service process is expected to run more quickly, accurately, and in accordance with statutory regulations.
“The hope is that the public can obtain more effective passport services, while the potential for administrative errors can be minimised,” he concluded.