Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office Urges Public Not to Be Enticed by Non-Procedural Hajj Offers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Special Class I Immigration Office for TPI Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta), Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, has urged the Indonesian public not to be tempted by offers of non-procedural Hajj departures.
This appeal comes after the prevention of 13 Indonesian citizens suspected of intending to perform the Hajj pilgrimage non-procedurally through Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Monday (20/4).
“We urge the public not to be enticed by offers of non-procedural Hajj departures that promise ease without going through official channels,” Galih said in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He stated that Soetta Immigration conducted a series of intensive examinations on 18 and 19 April 2026 at Terminal 3 International Departures.
According to him, from the surveillance results, eight Indonesian citizens were found to be departing on flights to Jeddah using the modus operandi of work visas. These eight Indonesians admitted that their actual purpose was to perform the Hajj without official procedures.
In addition, four other Indonesian citizens also claimed to be going on Hajj using work visas without supporting work documents.
Then, on 19 April 2026, Soetta Immigration officers again prevented the departure of one Indonesian citizen detected in the system as someone who had previously attempted the same regarding indications of non-procedural Hajj departure.
Galih said that this preventive action is part of efforts to protect the public from potential legal problems and risks in the destination country.
“This is a concrete manifestation of our commitment that Immigration is for the people. The Director General of Immigration’s directives are clear that every unit must be present not only as guardians of the nation’s gateway but also as protectors of the public,” he said.
“We do not want Indonesians to depart through channels that do not comply with procedures and risk causing problems later,” he added.
He explained that the surveillance conducted is not only document-based but also involves profiling, system analysis, and internal Immigration cross-sector coordination.
From the examination results, he said, it was found that some prospective passengers were using work visas without valid supporting documents according to official mechanisms for Hajj purposes.
As follow-up, according to Galih, Immigration officers have coordinated with the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Division for further in-depth investigation.
“In addition to violating regulations, such practices have the potential to harm pilgrims both financially and in terms of safety while abroad,” he said.
Separately, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said that regarding the 13 Indonesians suspected of intending to depart for Hajj non-procedurally, their departures have been postponed first, to be reviewed together with the Task Force using the data and evidence held by Immigration.
“It is very likely (they) will be cancelled if it is proven and decided to use non-Hajj visas,” Hendarsam said.