Immigration Ministry Partners with BKPM to Tighten Foreign National Permits
Jakarta, InfoPublik — The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) has partnered with the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to strengthen oversight and tighten entry permits for foreign nationals.
"We are conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment," said Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto in an official statement, on the sidelines of an inspection of immigration services in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (20/5/2025).
According to Agus, a number of foreign nationals entering Indonesia as investors have turned out to have fictitious investments and offices. These foreigners instead work in areas reserved for local citizens, including serving as tour guides and opening small shops.
"This is what we will discuss at the ministerial level. In investment permit applications, they are not providing sufficient detail," he said.
From a security standpoint, his ministry is conducting surveillance of foreign nationals passing through immigration checkpoints via automated immigration crossing facilities (autogates). At I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, for instance, 90 autogate units have been installed — 60 at the international arrivals terminal and 30 at the international departures terminal.
The installation of autogates at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport commenced on 27 October 2023, with trial operations beginning on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases and internal records including the prevention and deterrence list.
The automated service is equipped with facial recognition technology and a Border Control Management System.
"Here, because Bali is a tourist destination with many international visitors, what we are particularly vigilant about is foreign nationals who overstay," he said.
He stated that his ministry had conducted Operation Wira Waspada, apprehending 170 foreign nationals in Jakarta, Depok, Bekasi, and Tangerang for overstaying their permits, with deportation as the resulting action.
Furthermore, he added, Operation Bali Becik was also carried out in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, whilst the remainder are still under investigation.
"I am confident that with the extraordinary local wisdom of the Balinese people, they can set a good example for foreign nationals in Bali so that they comply with the regulations," he said.
"We are conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment," said Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto in an official statement, on the sidelines of an inspection of immigration services in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (20/5/2025).
According to Agus, a number of foreign nationals entering Indonesia as investors have turned out to have fictitious investments and offices. These foreigners instead work in areas reserved for local citizens, including serving as tour guides and opening small shops.
"This is what we will discuss at the ministerial level. In investment permit applications, they are not providing sufficient detail," he said.
From a security standpoint, his ministry is conducting surveillance of foreign nationals passing through immigration checkpoints via automated immigration crossing facilities (autogates). At I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, for instance, 90 autogate units have been installed — 60 at the international arrivals terminal and 30 at the international departures terminal.
The installation of autogates at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport commenced on 27 October 2023, with trial operations beginning on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases and internal records including the prevention and deterrence list.
The automated service is equipped with facial recognition technology and a Border Control Management System.
"Here, because Bali is a tourist destination with many international visitors, what we are particularly vigilant about is foreign nationals who overstay," he said.
He stated that his ministry had conducted Operation Wira Waspada, apprehending 170 foreign nationals in Jakarta, Depok, Bekasi, and Tangerang for overstaying their permits, with deportation as the resulting action.
Furthermore, he added, Operation Bali Becik was also carried out in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, whilst the remainder are still under investigation.
"I am confident that with the extraordinary local wisdom of the Balinese people, they can set a good example for foreign nationals in Bali so that they comply with the regulations," he said.