Immigration Ministry Partners with Investment Ministry to Tighten Foreign National Entry Oversight
DENPASAR — In its efforts to strengthen oversight and tighten entry permits for foreign nationals, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) is partnering with the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto, speaking on the sidelines of an inspection of immigration services in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (20/5), said his ministry was conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment.
According to him, 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 residents, 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," Agus said, as quoted by the Antara news agency.
From a security perspective, his ministry is conducting surveillance on foreign nationals as they pass through immigration checks, using automated immigration crossing facilities (autogates). At Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, 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 began on 27 October 2023, with trial use commencing on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases, including internal data such as the prevention and deterrence list.
The automated service is equipped with facial recognition technology and a System Border Control Management system.
"Because Bali is a tourist destination attracting many international visitors, what we are particularly vigilant about is foreign nationals who overstay," he said.
Agus said his ministry had conducted Operation Wira Waspada, apprehending 170 foreign nationals in Jakarta, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang for exceeding their permitted stay, with deportation imposed as the penalty.
Additionally, he continued, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed whilst the remainder were 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 rules," he said.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto, speaking on the sidelines of an inspection of immigration services in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday (20/5), said his ministry was conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment.
According to him, 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 residents, 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," Agus said, as quoted by the Antara news agency.
From a security perspective, his ministry is conducting surveillance on foreign nationals as they pass through immigration checks, using automated immigration crossing facilities (autogates). At Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, 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 began on 27 October 2023, with trial use commencing on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases, including internal data such as the prevention and deterrence list.
The automated service is equipped with facial recognition technology and a System Border Control Management system.
"Because Bali is a tourist destination attracting many international visitors, what we are particularly vigilant about is foreign nationals who overstay," he said.
Agus said his ministry had conducted Operation Wira Waspada, apprehending 170 foreign nationals in Jakarta, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang for exceeding their permitted stay, with deportation imposed as the penalty.
Additionally, he continued, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed whilst the remainder were 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 rules," he said.