Immigration Directorate General Issues New Policy Requiring In-Person Visits for Foreign Residents' Stay Permit Extensions
JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services has issued a new policy regarding the extension of stay permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia. The policy is set out in Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025 and will take effect on 29 May 2025.
Under the new provisions, foreign nationals are required to attend an immigration office in person for photograph capture and an interview when applying for stay permit extensions. Previously, foreign nationals were required to register their applications and upload supporting documents online through the evisa.imigrasi.go.id website. This procedure also applies to holders of visa on arrival (VoA).
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman stated that the policy constitutes a damage control measure aimed at minimising the misuse of stay permits, maintaining orderly immigration administration, and strengthening oversight of the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised this adjustment to stay permit extension procedures after examining the results of 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. During the foreign investment operations (OPS PMA), for example, conducted jointly with BKPM during the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration identified a total of 546 foreign nationals suspected of stay permit misuse, as well as 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic whose business licences had been revoked by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)," Yuldi said.
According to statistical data, the number of administrative immigration actions from January to April 2025 reached 2,201 foreign nationals, a significant increase from 1,610 during the same period the previous year. This reflects a 36.71 per cent rise in immigration law enforcement in 2025.
In accordance with Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 63 Paragraph (2) stipulates that sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor whilst in Indonesian territory, including reporting any changes in civil status, immigration status, and address.
For foreign nationals in vulnerable categories — such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those in emergency situations — the registration process, document submission, and payment may be conducted on a walk-in basis at immigration offices with the assistance of officers.
Yuldi also reminded all foreign nationals to be truthful during the interview process. "We remind foreign nationals to provide entirely truthful information to officers in order to avoid difficulties in the future," he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services Agus Andrianto stated that the policy is an effort to strengthen the oversight system for foreign nationals in Indonesia. "With the implementation of this policy, the Directorate General of Immigration hopes to strengthen the oversight system for the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Indonesia, and to ensure that all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions," he concluded.
Under the new provisions, foreign nationals are required to attend an immigration office in person for photograph capture and an interview when applying for stay permit extensions. Previously, foreign nationals were required to register their applications and upload supporting documents online through the evisa.imigrasi.go.id website. This procedure also applies to holders of visa on arrival (VoA).
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman stated that the policy constitutes a damage control measure aimed at minimising the misuse of stay permits, maintaining orderly immigration administration, and strengthening oversight of the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised this adjustment to stay permit extension procedures after examining the results of 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. During the foreign investment operations (OPS PMA), for example, conducted jointly with BKPM during the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration identified a total of 546 foreign nationals suspected of stay permit misuse, as well as 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic whose business licences had been revoked by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)," Yuldi said.
According to statistical data, the number of administrative immigration actions from January to April 2025 reached 2,201 foreign nationals, a significant increase from 1,610 during the same period the previous year. This reflects a 36.71 per cent rise in immigration law enforcement in 2025.
In accordance with Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 63 Paragraph (2) stipulates that sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor whilst in Indonesian territory, including reporting any changes in civil status, immigration status, and address.
For foreign nationals in vulnerable categories — such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those in emergency situations — the registration process, document submission, and payment may be conducted on a walk-in basis at immigration offices with the assistance of officers.
Yuldi also reminded all foreign nationals to be truthful during the interview process. "We remind foreign nationals to provide entirely truthful information to officers in order to avoid difficulties in the future," he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services Agus Andrianto stated that the policy is an effort to strengthen the oversight system for foreign nationals in Indonesia. "With the implementation of this policy, the Directorate General of Immigration hopes to strengthen the oversight system for the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Indonesia, and to ensure that all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions," he concluded.