Indonesia Immigration Investigates 687 Foreigners Breaking Law In Bali During 4 Day Sting Operation 

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Immigration teams in Indonesia have continued with their commitment to crack down on foreigners abusing the visa system in Bali Province.

During a four-day sting operation between 12th – 15th November 2024, Indonesian Immigration teams investigated 687 foreigners around the country and arrested 14 individuals in Bali found to be breaking the conditions of their visas. 

Operation Jagratara is the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration’s program to eliminate visa abuse in the country.

The operation, which is being run nationwide with a big focus in Bali, includes target raids, spot checks, and intensive 3-4 day sting operations in areas where violations are suspected to be rife.

Operation Jagratara is a 100-day program devised by the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections and involves 50 Immigration Technical Implementation Units, including the Class I Special Immigration TPI Ngurah Rai, and in its latest mission, succeeded in securing 14 foreign nationals.

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Speaking to reporters, the Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar M Godam, said of the total 687 foreign nationals investigated nationwide, 128 were prosecuted for various violations, such as activities that were not in accordance with their residence permits to illegal entry and stay.

He explained, “The cases vary, from carrying out activities not in accordance with the residence permit given to entering and living illegally in Indonesia.”

Godam added, “Activities of foreign nationals that are not in accordance with the residence permit include indications of prostitution, working as therapists and beauty services in salons, cooks, selling clothes, selling electronic cigarettes to becoming project foremen.”

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He continued, “In accordance with the meaning of the name Jagratara, which is always alert, the ranks of Immigration will be aware of all potential violations from foreigners throughout Indonesia. This is to help maintain national security stability, provide a preventive effect so that violations do not occur, and maintain public trust in Immigration.” 

Godam revealed that the Surabaya Immigration Office recorded the highest number of foreign nationals under surveillance, with 92 people caught during the 4-day mission. Surabaya was followed by the Batam Immigration Office with 64 people and the Tanjung Priok Immigration Office with 48 people.

Godam emphasized that several operations will continue to be carried out by the Directorate General of Immigration to ensure that foreign nationals who come and are in Indonesia are qualified.

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From the Class I Special Immigration Office of TPI, Ngurah Rai was also successful in the most recent round of targeted work in Operation Jagratara.

Teams secured 14 foreign nationals suspected of violating their residence permits. The foreign nationals were arrested within the jurisdiction of Ngurah Rai Immigration, which includes Kuta, North Kuta, and South Kuta.

Speaking separately, the Head of the Information and Communication Section of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Nyoman Asta Brata, said that the majority of violations were misuse of residence permits, while some others were related to overstaying.

Nine Russian nationals were found to be misusing their visas by conducting activities banned on their visa category.

A Brazilian national, a Kazakh national, and a Vietnamese national were also caught enacting similar violations. Two Australian citizens were also arrested for misuse of residence permits, and two Japanese citizens were arrested for overstaying.

The two Australian citizens, a couple known by their initials CPG, ages 22, and ICB, aged 23, were deported on Wednesday, 20th November, after being found guilty of operating an illegal vape business in Bali.

At the time of their deportation, the Head of the Denpasar Detention Center, Gede Duty Duwita, told reporters, “They were deported under tight guard by officers until the plane took off. We again remind all foreign nationals who are active in Indonesia to comply with the provisions of their residence permits and the rules related to the business activities they carry out.”

Asta confirmed that while six of the individuals have already been deported, two Russian nationals and the Brazilian citizen remain in the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center pending further investigation.