Directorate General of Immigration Introduces New Stay Permit Rules for Foreign Nationals
Tangerang — The Directorate General of Immigration has established new regulations for the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia. The new rules aim to reduce immigration violations by foreigners in the country.
The policy refers to Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, which will take effect from 29 May 2025. Under the new rules, foreign nationals residing in Indonesia are required to have their photographs taken and undergo interviews at immigration offices when applying for stay permit extensions.
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said that prior to these steps, foreign nationals must register their stay permit applications and upload the required documents online through the website evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The procedure also applies to foreign nationals holding visa on arrival (VoA).
Yuldi explained that the policy was established for damage control purposes, namely to minimise the potential misuse of stay permits. It also aims to maintain orderly immigration administration and oversee the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised these adjustments to stay permit extension procedures based on a comprehensive evaluation by the Directorate General of Immigration. We found that the rate of stay permit misuse and sponsors failing to fulfil their responsibilities remains high," Yuldi said.
As an example, during the foreign investment operations (OPS PMA) conducted jointly with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) during the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration identified a total of 546 foreign nationals suspected of misusing their stay permits.
"Not only that, a total of 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic have had their business permits revoked by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)," Yuldi said.
According to periodic statistical data on administrative immigration actions, 1,610 foreign nationals were subject to action during the January–April 2024 period, whilst the figure rose to 2,201 foreign nationals during the January–April 2025 period.
The policy refers to Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, which will take effect from 29 May 2025. Under the new rules, foreign nationals residing in Indonesia are required to have their photographs taken and undergo interviews at immigration offices when applying for stay permit extensions.
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said that prior to these steps, foreign nationals must register their stay permit applications and upload the required documents online through the website evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The procedure also applies to foreign nationals holding visa on arrival (VoA).
Yuldi explained that the policy was established for damage control purposes, namely to minimise the potential misuse of stay permits. It also aims to maintain orderly immigration administration and oversee the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised these adjustments to stay permit extension procedures based on a comprehensive evaluation by the Directorate General of Immigration. We found that the rate of stay permit misuse and sponsors failing to fulfil their responsibilities remains high," Yuldi said.
As an example, during the foreign investment operations (OPS PMA) conducted jointly with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) during the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration identified a total of 546 foreign nationals suspected of misusing their stay permits.
"Not only that, a total of 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic have had their business permits revoked by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)," Yuldi said.
According to periodic statistical data on administrative immigration actions, 1,610 foreign nationals were subject to action during the January–April 2024 period, whilst the figure rose to 2,201 foreign nationals during the January–April 2025 period.