Singaraja Immigration deports three foreigners for misusing tourist visas
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Singaraja Immigration Office in Bali has deported three foreign nationals from India, Singapore and China for misusing visit stay permits to work, even though such visas are intended solely for tourism.
“Every foreign national is required to use a visa and stay permit in accordance with the purpose of their arrival,” said Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra, Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, in a press release received in Denpasar on Wednesday.
The three foreign nationals are identified by their initials: AKG from India, RN from Singapore, and ST from China.
Agung explained that AKG and ST entered Bali using a Visa on Arrival (VoA), whilst RN used a Visa-Free Visit (BVK).
According to him, these stay permits are intended only for visit activities, including tourism, and cannot be used for work or any other activities beyond the purpose for which the visa was granted.
However, AKG and RN worked as yoga instructors in Badung Regency, whilst ST installed machinery and provided training to company staff on machine operation at a factory in Karangasem Regency.
He emphasised that every foreign national present in Indonesia must comply with the prevailing immigration regulations.
For these violations, his office deported the three foreign nationals to their respective home countries and proposed placing their names on the prevention list.
“The Indian national was deported this Wednesday afternoon. The other two were deported on Tuesday evening (14/7),” he said.
They violated Article 75 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 122 letter a of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration.
“We will continue to intensify supervision of foreign nationals as a form of immigration law enforcement,” he said.
He added that monitoring of the presence and activities of foreign nationals will continue to be strengthened through synergy with regional governments, law enforcement agencies, the Foreign Nationals Supervisory Team (Tim Pora), and community support.
In Bali there are five immigration offices, including Singaraja, which oversees three regencies: Buleleng, Karangasem and Jembrana.
Ngurah Rai Immigration covers a small part of Badung Regency but concentrates on areas with large foreign national populations, namely the districts of Kuta, North Kuta and South Kuta.
Denpasar Immigration covers parts of Badung Regency, Gianyar Regency and Denpasar.
In addition, there are newly opened immigration offices in Tabanan and Klungkung.