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 surveillance and tighten entry permits for foreign nationals.
"We are conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment," said Imipas 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 schemes and offices. These foreign nationals instead work by encroaching on local residents' livelihoods, including working 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 conducts surveillance on 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, there are currently 90 autogate units 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 watchlists.
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 most 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 imposed measure.
Furthermore, he added, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, 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 regulations," he said.
"We are conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Investment," said Imipas 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 schemes and offices. These foreign nationals instead work by encroaching on local residents' livelihoods, including working 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 conducts surveillance on 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, there are currently 90 autogate units 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 watchlists.
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 most 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 imposed measure.
Furthermore, he added, Operation Bali Becik was also conducted in Bali. During this operation, officers apprehended 97 foreign nationals, 12 of whom had overstayed their permits, 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 regulations," he said.