Foreign nationals affected by Mount Anak Krakatau eruption granted emergency stay permits
Tangerang (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Immigration has issued Emergency Stay Permits (Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa, or ITKT) for foreign nationals affected by flight cancellations and diversions at airports due to the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) on Sunday (6/9).
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko, in a written statement received in Tangerang on Monday, said the policy of providing ITKT guarantees to foreign nationals was implemented as a service to passengers affected by the disaster.
“Immigration is also applying a tariff of Rp0.00 (zero rupiah) for foreign nationals experiencing overstay due to these force majeure circumstances,” he said.
He affirmed that Immigration would record data to ensure the legality of foreign nationals’ presence in Indonesia and take a humanitarian approach during the natural disaster emergency.
“We understand the difficult situation and discomfort experienced by passengers due to these flight disruptions. Therefore, the State is present to provide legal certainty,” he said.
He said the processing of ITKT services would proceed quickly, efficiently, and without the burden of overstay fees, so that foreign nationals can feel at ease whilst in Indonesia until flight schedules return to normal.
Hendarsam added that the policy applies not only during the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption. A similar policy can be implemented should other force majeure situations occur.
“In the period 5–7 September 2026, a total of 528 flights were affected. That figure comprises 254 arrival flights with cancelled status and 266 departure flights, all of which were cancelled. The situation affected 86,760 passengers,” he said.
He noted that as of 7 September 2026, the Soekarno-Hatta Special Class I Immigration Office (TPI) had processed 26 Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) applications for affected foreign nationals.
Nevertheless, to support smooth service delivery, the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office has added an additional stay permit service counter, so there are now two ITKT service counters available.
Besides the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, several other immigration offices have issued ITKT, including the Central Jakarta Immigration Office (five applications) and the North Jakarta Immigration Office (four applications).
“Furthermore, two applications each were processed by the Depok and South Jakarta Immigration Offices, and one application each at the Ngurah Rai, Juanda, Bekasi, and Tangerang Immigration Offices,” he explained.
Regarding immigration service provisions for those affected by the eruption, immigration services for affected foreign nationals are regulated as follows: the immigration office overseeing the immigration inspection point (TPI) of the foreign national’s departure airport shall issue an ITKT valid for a maximum of 30 (thirty) days and extendable in accordance with the regulations.
“Foreign nationals or airline representatives need only attach an official declaration letter from the Civil Aviation Authority, the airline, or the airport authority, along with travel documents and a visa or stay permit,” he added.
The Director General of Immigration guaranteed that all service processes would continue to prioritise the principle of caution and applicable standard operating procedures (SOPAP) to maintain immigration order and security.
Immigration would also continue to maintain a balance between its surveillance and law enforcement functions and services to the public and foreign nationals.
“In emergency conditions such as this, the service function becomes a priority, particularly to help foreign nationals facing travel obstacles so they can continue to receive certainty and ease of immigration services in accordance with prevailing regulations,” he said.