KPK Uncovers Illegal Fees for Processing Foreigner Stay Permits in Silmy Karim Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exposed the existence of expedited fees for processing foreign national (WNA) stay permits in connection with the alleged extortion and gratification case involving former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim. The fees charged for these expedited services ranged from Rp 1 million to Rp 1.5 million per person.
As reported, Silmy and seven others have been named suspects on charges of extortion and gratification. In this case, investigators have also seized various pieces of evidence, including foreign currency in US Dollars and Singapore Dollars, as well as precious metals and several vehicles.
The list of the eight suspects includes:
Silmy Karim (SK), Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services 2025-2026 and Director General of Immigration 2023-2024
Saffar Muhammad Godam (SMG), Acting Director General of Immigration 2024-2025
Jaya Saputra (JS), Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status
Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS), Head of Sub-directorate for Change of Stay Permit Status
Bagus Bramantyo (BGS), Head of Sub-directorate in the Directorate of Stay Permits
Ronald Arman Abdullah (RAA), Head of Central Jakarta Immigration Office 2024-2025 and Head of West Jakarta Immigration Office 2025-2026
Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP), Leader of the ITAS Status Change Team
Gusti Benardiansyah (GST), Staff of the Stay Permit Sub-directorate
KPK found that fees were charged to accelerate the processing of foreign national stay permits. The amount collected varied depending on the processing route chosen by the applicant. “The illegal expedited fees were set between Rp 1 million and Rp 1.5 million per person,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Sunday (7/6/2026).
In practice, some foreign nationals sought faster processing, even though the official regulation stipulates a service duration of approximately three to seven days. The KPK revealed Silmy Karim’s role in the alleged extortion within the Ministry of Law, Immigration, and Correctional Services during the 2022-2026 period. While serving as Director General of Immigration in 2023-2024, Silmy allegedly extorted funds by requesting a share of the stay permit processing fees through Jaya Saputra.
According to KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto, after receiving these instructions, Jaya then ordered Bagus Bramantyo and Tessar Bayu Setyaji to collect additional fees from foreign nationals. To facilitate this practice, Bagus and Tessar also provided access to staff members Juniadi Sri Priambantly and Gusti Benardiansyah. “During the 2022-2026 period, the parties involved in the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Immigration received money—either via cash or transfer, including through layering/intermediaries—amounting to at least Rp 145.5 billion,” Setyo stated.
The collected funds were distributed weekly to various officials within the Directorate General of Immigration. One of the recipients was Silmy Karim. “The money was then distributed to officials… every Friday, including Mr. SK, who is estimated to have received a share of approximately Rp 100 million per week,” Setyo added.
Amidst the revelation of these illegal levies, the official fees for processing foreign national stay permits are regulated by the Directorate General of Immigration. Official rates for Limited Stay Permits (ITAS) include: 30 days (Rp 500,000), 1 year (Rp 3,000,000), 2 years (Rp 5,000,000), 5 years (Rp 7,000,000), and 10 years (Rp 7,000,000). Permanent Stay Permits (ITAP) are also regulated, with rates ranging from Rp 7,000,000 for 5 years to Rp 15,000,000 for an unlimited duration.