Directorate General of Immigration Evaluates Visa-Free Visit Facilities

The spirit of ‘Immigration for the People’ is expected to mitigate social and economic risks arising from illegal activities by foreign nationals, ensuring that the principle of selectivity continues to operate optimally in safeguarding national security. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kemenimipas), is evaluating immigration policies, including the Visa-Free Visit (BVK) facility, following the proliferation of cases involving foreign nationals (WNA) entering Indonesia suspected of committing cyber crimes. “Cases involving foreign nationals in illegal activities, including those from countries receiving Visa-Free Visit facilities, are material for our evaluation,” said Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko in his statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Immigration has recorded, in recent times, at least five cases of syndicate busts involving foreign nationals in various regions of Indonesia. Among them, 13 Japanese foreign nationals in Sentul, Bogor Regency, 16 foreign nationals in Sukabumi, West Java, 210 foreign nationals in Batam, Riau Islands, and the latest, 320 foreign nationals in Hayam Wuruk. Meanwhile, the 320 foreign nationals in the international online gambling syndicate area consist of 228 Vietnamese nationals, Chinese (57), Myanmar (13), Laos (11), Thailand (5), Malaysia (3), and Cambodia (3). For the foreign nationals arrested in Batam, the majority used visit stay permits (ITK), Visa on Arrival (VoA), and Visa-Free Visit (BVK). Whereas the 320 foreign nationals in the Hayam Wuruk area, from the Directorate General of Immigration’s investigation, also mostly used ITK, VoA, and BVK. The proliferation of cases involving foreign nationals has become a serious concern for the Directorate General of Immigration to continue strengthening supervision and evaluation of immigration policies. Hendarsam reiterated that his side will firmly address all forms of immigration violations committed by foreign nationals and ensure that only foreigners who provide benefits and do not endanger the security of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) are allowed to be in Indonesia. “In the perspective of immigration supervision, we emphasise that only foreigners who provide benefits and do not endanger security and public order may be in Indonesian territory,” he emphasised. “Every form of violation, including involvement in illegal activities such as online gambling, will be firmly addressed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” Hendarsam added.