Hundreds of Foreigners Granted Emergency Residence Permits in Bali Amid Middle East Conflict

Data from the Bali Immigration Office shows that 302 foreign nationals have received emergency residence permits (ITKT) as of Thursday 5 March, stemming from the emergency conditions caused by the Middle East conflict. Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has issued 244 ITKT since Monday 2 March, while Denpasar Immigration Office has issued 58 ITKT. ‘We urge all foreign nationals within our jurisdiction who are affected to promptly handle administrative matters in person,’ said R Haryo Sakti, Head of Denpasar Immigration, in Denpasar on Friday 6 March. Applicants are asked to bring complete documents: original passport, a flight cancellation letter from the airline, and proof of the cancelled ticket. He explained that the facility is valid for 30 days, with an option to extend depending on developments on the ground. In addition to the emergency permits, the government is also offering relief in the form of a zero-fine policy for foreign nationals whose overstay is caused by flight cancellations. Under regulations, foreigners who overstay for more than 60 days face a fine of Rp1 million per day. Meanwhile, he noted that routes to the Middle East, particularly Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, remain open but with restrictions. Previously, after air routes in that region were closed from 28 February, Emirates flight EK-369 resumed operation around 00:40 WITA on Thursday 5 March, landing back at Ngurah Rai and then departing again from Bali to Dubai. Etihad flight EK-477 on Thursday 5 March was cancelled, according to FlightRadar24 data. Qatar Airways flights on 5-6 March were also cancelled according to the same data. According to data from the management of Ngurah Rai International Airport, a total of 35 international flights had been cancelled as of Wednesday 4 March (20 departures and 15 arrivals) due to the Middle East conflict. A total of 5,905 international passengers scheduled to depart were unable to fly.