Eight Chinese Nationals Caught Working Illegally on Restaurant Renovation Project in Surabaya Mall

Eight foreign nationals from China have been deported from Surabaya after being proven to have worked illegally on a mall restaurant renovation project. They have now been placed on a blacklist and are barred from returning to Indonesia. Head of the Surabaya Special Class I Immigration Office, Agus Winarto, stated that his office imposed Immigration Administrative Actions in the form of deportation and blacklisting against the eight foreigners because they were proven to have carried out activities that deviated from their held residence permits. Agus said the case was uncovered on 4 June 2026, when the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team conducted a surveillance operation at the restaurant renovation site inside a mall in Surabaya. “Officers found the eight foreigners working on electrical installations, piping installations, construction, air ventilation system installation, and direct on-site project supervision,” Agus said in a statement on Thursday (25/6). Indeed, the results of immigration and employment document checks revealed at least three different types of violations committed by the eight Chinese nationals. The first violation involved four individuals holding Visit Stay Permits with a D2 index who were caught performing technical work on site. Then, three others held Visit Stay Permits with a C20 index but were working outside the sponsoring company stated in their stay permits. Meanwhile, one other person holding a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) with the position of Technical Manager was proven to be working for a company and at a location that did not match their sponsor. Following these findings, Agus stressed that his office does not close the door to foreign workers who bring benefits, but will not give space to rule violators. “Indonesia is open to investment and the presence of foreign workers who provide benefits for national development. However, all foreign nationals must comply with the applicable immigration regulations,” he said. Agus then detailed three basic requirements that every foreign national active in Indonesia must fulfil. “Every foreign national must use a stay permit in accordance with the activities carried out, work according to the position given, and work for the company that is their sponsor. Immigration will take firm action against any form of stay permit misuse found in our working area,” he asserted. Based on the examination results and collected evidence, the eight foreigners were declared to have violated Article 122 letter a of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration for carrying out activities not in accordance with the purpose and objectives of the stay permits they held. “The deportation was carried out on Monday, 22 June 2026 via Juanda International Airport,” he said. Agus assured that surveillance of foreigners will not slacken. The Surabaya Special Class I Immigration Office will continue to tighten its supervisory function through immigration intelligence activities, field operations, and cross-agency synergy to ensure all activities of foreigners in its area proceed within legal corridors. “This law enforcement step is in line with the direction of the Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, in realising professional, accountable, and fair immigration services and law enforcement. Through the spirit of Immigration for the People, the Directorate General of Immigration is committed to safeguarding state sovereignty while creating a healthy, orderly, and law-abiding investment climate,” he concluded.