East Java Immigration Office Arrests Two Foreign Nationals for Violating Residence Permits
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The East Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration has arrested two foreign nationals suspected of violating residence permit regulations by using visitor visas, which are not intended for work activities.
The Head of the East Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Novianto, stated in Surabaya on Monday that the arrests were carried out on 24 April 2026 by the immigration supervision and enforcement team.
“From the results of the arrests, the team successfully apprehended two foreign nationals, one from China and one from Thailand,” he said.
The two foreign nationals are FZ, a man from China working as a chef at a Chinese food restaurant in Surabaya since December 2025, and MPT, a woman from Thailand working as a therapist at a health massage parlour since January 2025.
Novianto emphasised that this action is part of the commitment to public transparency and the implementation of the “Immigration for the People” policy.
“Immigration services must be easy, fast, accurate, transparent, and accountable. On the other hand, we continue to uphold national sovereignty through strict supervision and law enforcement,” he said.
The Head of the Immigration Supervision and Enforcement Division of the East Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Suyitno, explained that the arrests stemmed from intelligence reports and immigration system monitoring.
“On Friday, 24 April 2026, the team conducted surveillance on the presence and activities of foreigners in the Surabaya area as a follow-up to intelligence reports. Officers successfully arrested one Chinese national and one Thai national,” he clarified.
From the examination results, he said, MPT was found to hold a visitor residence permit visa valid for 180 days.
“MPT admitted to having entered Indonesia three times since January 2025 and working as a therapist trainer at the same location. While in Surabaya, she resided at the health massage parlour where she works,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he added, FZ also used a visitor visa with a 180-day stay period and had entered Indonesia for the first time in December 2025, working as a chef at a Chinese food restaurant in Surabaya.
“Based on the examination, there is sufficient evidence that both foreign nationals engaged in activities not in accordance with the purpose and intent of the residence permit,” he said.
For this violation, they are deemed to have breached Article 122 letter a in conjunction with Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration. Immigration authorities assure that they will take firm action against every violation committed by foreign nationals as part of law enforcement and maintaining public order.
“Immigration will firmly address foreign nationals who do not comply with immigration regulations through deportation and blacklisting. This is an effort to enforce the law while safeguarding security and order,” he said.