The Directorate General of Immigration has recorded a significant rise in enforcement actions against foreign nationals throughout 2024. Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, revealed that the results of this year’s immigration control operations surged by over 100% compared to the previous year.
“There has been an increase of more than 100% in immigration law enforcement in 2024,” Silmy stated during the troop inspection at Benoa Port as part of Operation Jagrakarta on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
During Operations Jagratara 1 and 2 conducted this year, immigration authorities monitored 2,283 foreign nationals across 884 locations.
Silmy explained that among those monitored, 155 foreign nationals faced legal actions, with the most common violations being overstays, misuse of residence permits, and criminal activities.
Stricter Monitoring of Investor Visas
Additionally, Silmy emphasized that immigration is tightening its oversight of investor visa usage. He noted that many individuals exploit this visa to avoid paying the annual residence permit fee (KITAS).
“The use of investor visas is frequently abused. Some investors only inject around USD 60,000 in capital, with some contributing as little as USD 15,000—equivalent to small and medium-sized business capital,” he stated, as reported by tempo.co.
The government has set a deadline until December 2024 for foreign investors to adjust their investment capital to a minimum of USD 608,000. This policy aims to filter out investors who genuinely contribute to Indonesia’s economy.
Silmy asserted that the regulation reinforces Indonesia’s stance on foreign visitors, particularly in Bali, to ensure that their presence benefits local communities.
“We do not want foreigners residing here without providing tangible benefits to the community,” Silmy Karim stressed.
Immigration Must Be More Vigilant with Investor Visa and ITAS Holders
Legal expert and Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, urged the Directorate General of Immigration to be more vigilant in monitoring investor visa and Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) holders.
He suggested that immigration authorities strengthen their surveillance networks and take firm action against ITAS investors who violate regulations.
“This is a dilemma. If the investment threshold is too low, it gets misused, but if it’s too high, investors may hesitate to enter. The current regulation should be implemented first and then evaluated after a year to see how it performs,” Hikmahanto explained in Jakarta on Friday, as cited by antaranews.com.
According to Hikmahanto, the policy is based on laws that can always be revised and improved following periodic evaluations. He also highlighted that ITAS policies are dynamic and can be adjusted to meet the country’s evolving needs.
“Governments change, so there is always the possibility of policy adjustments in the future,” he added.
Hikmahanto emphasized that periodic evaluations and strict monitoring of ITAS holders are crucial for ensuring compliance.
Government Commitment to Preventing Visa Misuse
Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to regulating investor visa and ITAS misuse.
Under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on Visas and Residence Permits, ITAS for investors requires a minimum capital investment of USD 650,000, while a Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) demands an investment of USD 975,000.
“This measure is to ensure stricter selection of foreign nationals eligible for investor visas. We are becoming more selective,” Silmy stated in an official release from Jakarta on Thursday, September 26.
Before this regulation, the investment capital requirement for an ITAS investor was significantly lower at USD 60,000.
The policy change aligns with the Investment Coordinating Board Regulation No. 4 of 2021 on Risk-Based Business Licensing Services and Investment Facilitation.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Immigration continues to crack down on investor visa holders to prevent misuse. Regular foreign national monitoring operations are conducted nationwide, especially in Bali, to identify foreigners engaging in activities inconsistent with their residence permits.
“In June, the Directorate General of Immigration took action against 103 foreign nationals from Taiwan involved in cybercrime, some of whom held investor visas,” Silmy disclosed.
Source: tempo.co, antaranews.com
special Photo Credit: imigrasi.go.id
