Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia is tightening controls on foreign nationals to curb illegal immigration, visa misuse and activities threatening public security and social order, with a particular focus on transnational online scam and gambling networks.
The country's immigration authorities have recently uncovered a series of violations involving foreigners, imposing measures including residence permit cancellations, deportations and re-entry bans, according to Antara News.
In May, Bali immigration authorities launched the Dharma Dewata operation across areas under the Ngurah Rai, Denpasar and Singaraja immigration offices. The campaign identified 62 foreigners suspected of violating immigration regulations, including overstaying visas, providing false information in applying for visa, working without permits and suspected fraudulent investment activities.
During the same period, the Denpasar Immigration Office detained three foreigners suspected of involvement in online prostitution after advertisements were found on a website.
The cases highlight Indonesia's increasingly broad immigration oversight, which goes beyond visa overstays to checking whether foreigners' actual activities match the purposes of their visas. Remote workers, content creators, business operators and service providers are also required to hold appropriate visas and residence permits.
Authorities are particularly concerned that transnational criminal groups could exploit Indonesia's immigration system to establish operations in the country.
In early May, authorities uncovered a facility in Batam equipped with hundreds of electronic devices, including computers, mobile phones and network equipment. Investigators found signs that the facility had been used to conduct online investment scams targeting victims overseas.
The case has prompted Indonesian immigration authorities to review whether existing entry policies could be exploited for criminal activities.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the authorities would strengthen early detection and intelligence gathering at land, sea and air entry points while upgrading passenger-screening capabilities.
He added that Indonesia could consider revising visa-free arrangements for certain countries if current screening and monitoring measures prove insufficient to prevent the misuse of entry policies for criminal activities./.
