Indonesia Introduces Mandatory Photo and Interview Requirements for Foreign Residents' Stay Permit Extensions
JAKARTA — The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has established new regulations for processing stay permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia.
Referring to Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, which takes effect from 29 May 2025, foreign nationals residing in Indonesia will be required to attend in-person photo sessions and interviews at immigration offices when applying for stay permit extensions. Prior to this stage, applicants must register their applications and upload required documents online through the evisa.imigrasi.go.id website. The procedure also applies to holders of visa on arrival (VoA).
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman explained that the policy was established as a damage control measure, aimed at minimising potential misuse of stay permits, maintaining orderly immigration administration, and monitoring the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised these adjustments to stay permit extension procedures based on a thorough 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 the Investment Coordinating Board (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stay permit misuse, as well as 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic whose business licences had been revoked by BKPM," Yuldi said.
According to periodic statistical data on immigration administrative actions, 1,610 foreign nationals were subject to such actions during the January to April 2024 period, compared with 2,201 during the same period in 2025. Law enforcement performance based on immigration administrative actions in 2025 increased significantly, rising by 36.71 per cent.
Under Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 63 Paragraph (2) states that sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor during their stay in Indonesian territory, and are obliged to report any changes in civil status, immigration status, and address.
For foreign nationals classified as vulnerable — including the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those in urgent circumstances — the application process, document submission, and payment may be conducted in person simultaneously with the photo session and interview at the immigration office on a walk-in basis, with assistance from officers.
Yuldi also urged all foreign nationals currently processing stay permit extensions or data changes to provide truthful information during interviews with officers. "We remind foreign nationals to provide completely accurate information to officers to avoid complications in the future," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto stated that all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions. "With the implementation of this policy, the Directorate General of Immigration hopes to strengthen the surveillance system over the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Indonesia, and to ensure all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions," he concluded.
Referring to Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, which takes effect from 29 May 2025, foreign nationals residing in Indonesia will be required to attend in-person photo sessions and interviews at immigration offices when applying for stay permit extensions. Prior to this stage, applicants must register their applications and upload required documents online through the evisa.imigrasi.go.id website. The procedure also applies to holders of visa on arrival (VoA).
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman explained that the policy was established as a damage control measure, aimed at minimising potential misuse of stay permits, maintaining orderly immigration administration, and monitoring the role of foreign national sponsors.
"We have devised these adjustments to stay permit extension procedures based on a thorough 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 the Investment Coordinating Board (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 BKPM," Yuldi said.
According to periodic statistical data on immigration administrative actions, 1,610 foreign nationals were subject to such actions during the January to April 2024 period, compared with 2,201 during the same period in 2025. Law enforcement performance based on immigration administrative actions in 2025 increased significantly, rising by 36.71 per cent.
Under Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 63 Paragraph (2) states that sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor during their stay in Indonesian territory, and are obliged to report any changes in civil status, immigration status, and address.
For foreign nationals classified as vulnerable — including the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those in urgent circumstances — the application process, document submission, and payment may be conducted in person simultaneously with the photo session and interview at the immigration office on a walk-in basis, with assistance from officers.
Yuldi also urged all foreign nationals currently processing stay permit extensions or data changes to provide truthful information during interviews with officers. "We remind foreign nationals to provide completely accurate information to officers to avoid complications in the future," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto stated that all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions. "With the implementation of this policy, the Directorate General of Immigration hopes to strengthen the surveillance system over the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Indonesia, and to ensure all immigration processes are conducted in accordance with prevailing legal provisions," he concluded.