Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Prevents 13 Indonesians from Departing for Hajj Using Work Visas
The Special Class I Immigration Office at the Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) of Soekarno-Hatta Airport prevented 13 Indonesian citizens (WNI) from performing Hajj pilgrimage in a non-procedural manner. It is known that these 13 individuals intended to go on Hajj using work visas.
According to Antara on Tuesday (21/4/2026), the Head of the Special Class I Immigration Office TPI Soekarno-Hatta, Galih P Kartika Perdhana, stated that the prevention efforts were carried out as part of intensive inspections by immigration officers on 18 and 19 April 2026 at Terminal 3 international departures.
“From the surveillance results, eight Indonesian citizens were found to be departing on flights to Jeddah using the modus operandi of work visas. However, after further examination, they admitted that their actual purpose was to perform Hajj worship without going through official procedures,” said Galih.
In addition, four other Indonesian citizens were found claiming to be going on Hajj using work visas without supporting documents as workers.
Meanwhile, on 19 April 2026, officers again prevented the departure of one Indonesian citizen who was detected in the system as someone who had previously attempted the same regarding indications of non-procedural Hajj departure.
“The directive from the Director General of Immigration, Mr. Hendarsam Marantoko, is very clear that every unit must be present, not only as guardians of the nation’s gateway but also as protectors of the people. We do not want Indonesian citizens to depart through improper channels and risk causing problems later,” he said.
He stated that these security actions are part of preventive efforts to protect the public from potential legal issues and risks in the destination country. Nevertheless, the surveillance carried out by Soekarno-Hatta Immigration is not only document-based but also involves profiling, system analysis, and cross-sector coordination internally.
In this case, the modus operandi of some prospective passengers uses work visas without valid supporting documents according to the official mechanism for Hajj pilgrimage purposes. As a follow-up, immigration officers have coordinated with the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Division for further in-depth investigation.
Soekarno-Hatta Immigration urges the public not to be tempted by offers of non-procedural Hajj departures that promise ease without going through official channels. “In addition to violating regulations, such practices have the potential to harm pilgrims, both financially and in terms of safety while abroad,” he said.