Indonesia Mandates In-Person Photo and Interview for All Foreign Stay Permit Extensions
JAKARTA – The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has announced significant changes to the stay permit processing procedure for foreign nationals in Indonesia. Through Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, the new regulations will take effect on 29 May 2025.
Under the new provisions, all foreign nationals applying for stay permit extensions, including visa on arrival (VoA) holders, are required to undergo in-person photo capture and interviews at immigration offices. Previously, applications were submitted online through the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal, including the uploading of supporting documents.
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman explained that the policy was adopted as a damage control measure to curb potential misuse of stay permits and strengthen oversight of foreign national sponsors' responsibilities.
"This procedural change is the result of a comprehensive evaluation. We continue to find high numbers of stay permit violations, as well as sponsor negligence in fulfilling their obligations," Yuldi said.
He cited findings from the Foreign Investment Operations (OPS PMA) conducted jointly with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) during the first quarter of 2025, which uncovered 546 foreign nationals suspected of stay permit violations and 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic, whose business permits were subsequently revoked by BKPM.
Data from the Directorate General of Immigration recorded a significant increase in immigration administrative enforcement actions, rising from 1,610 cases in the January–April 2024 period to 2,201 cases in the same period in 2025 — a surge of 36.71 per cent in immigration law enforcement performance.
Yuldi emphasised that in accordance with Article 63 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor and are obliged to report any changes in immigration status, civil status, or address.
For vulnerable groups of foreign nationals, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those in urgent circumstances, the Directorate General of Immigration is providing accommodations. The entire process — from registration, document submission, to payment — can be completed directly at immigration offices with staff assistance on a walk-in basis, including photo capture and interviews.
Additionally, Yuldi urged all foreign nationals to provide honest and complete information during interviews. "We appeal that no data be concealed so that the process runs smoothly and does not create problems in the future," he said.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto also affirmed the importance of the new policy as part of strengthening the immigration oversight system. "Through this measure, we want to ensure that all immigration processes comply with prevailing laws and regulations, and that the activities and presence of foreign nationals in Indonesia are monitored more effectively," he concluded.
Under the new provisions, all foreign nationals applying for stay permit extensions, including visa on arrival (VoA) holders, are required to undergo in-person photo capture and interviews at immigration offices. Previously, applications were submitted online through the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal, including the uploading of supporting documents.
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman explained that the policy was adopted as a damage control measure to curb potential misuse of stay permits and strengthen oversight of foreign national sponsors' responsibilities.
"This procedural change is the result of a comprehensive evaluation. We continue to find high numbers of stay permit violations, as well as sponsor negligence in fulfilling their obligations," Yuldi said.
He cited findings from the Foreign Investment Operations (OPS PMA) conducted jointly with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) during the first quarter of 2025, which uncovered 546 foreign nationals suspected of stay permit violations and 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic, whose business permits were subsequently revoked by BKPM.
Data from the Directorate General of Immigration recorded a significant increase in immigration administrative enforcement actions, rising from 1,610 cases in the January–April 2024 period to 2,201 cases in the same period in 2025 — a surge of 36.71 per cent in immigration law enforcement performance.
Yuldi emphasised that in accordance with Article 63 Paragraph (2) of Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, sponsors are responsible for the presence and activities of the foreign nationals they sponsor and are obliged to report any changes in immigration status, civil status, or address.
For vulnerable groups of foreign nationals, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those in urgent circumstances, the Directorate General of Immigration is providing accommodations. The entire process — from registration, document submission, to payment — can be completed directly at immigration offices with staff assistance on a walk-in basis, including photo capture and interviews.
Additionally, Yuldi urged all foreign nationals to provide honest and complete information during interviews. "We appeal that no data be concealed so that the process runs smoothly and does not create problems in the future," he said.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto also affirmed the importance of the new policy as part of strengthening the immigration oversight system. "Through this measure, we want to ensure that all immigration processes comply with prevailing laws and regulations, and that the activities and presence of foreign nationals in Indonesia are monitored more effectively," he concluded.