Immigration Ministry Partners with Investment Ministry to Tighten Foreign National Entry Permits
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) has partnered with the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to conduct 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 on the sidelines of an inspection of Denpasar Immigration services in Bali on Tuesday.
According to him, a number of foreign nationals entering Indonesia as investors have turned out to have fictitious investment structures and offices. These foreigners instead work by encroaching on local employment domains, including serving as tour guides and opening small shops.
"This is what we will discuss at the ministerial level. In their investment permit applications, they are not providing sufficient detail," he said.
From a security standpoint, his ministry is conducting surveillance of foreign nationals as they pass through immigration checkpoints 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 operations commencing on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases, including internal records 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 beyond their permitted period," he said.
He noted 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 said, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, with the remainder still under investigation.
"I am confident that with the extraordinary local wisdom of the Balinese community, 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 on the sidelines of an inspection of Denpasar Immigration services in Bali on Tuesday.
According to him, a number of foreign nationals entering Indonesia as investors have turned out to have fictitious investment structures and offices. These foreigners instead work by encroaching on local employment domains, including serving as tour guides and opening small shops.
"This is what we will discuss at the ministerial level. In their investment permit applications, they are not providing sufficient detail," he said.
From a security standpoint, his ministry is conducting surveillance of foreign nationals as they pass through immigration checkpoints 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 operations commencing on 1 February 2024. The automated facilities capture biometric data of travellers, which is then cross-checked against Interpol databases, including internal records 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 beyond their permitted period," he said.
He noted 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 said, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, with the remainder still under investigation.
"I am confident that with the extraordinary local wisdom of the Balinese community, they can set a good example for foreign nationals in Bali so that they comply with the regulations," he said.