Are you planning a trip to Indonesia? Be sure to carefully follow all visa regulations. The island country has tightened its visa regulations, imposing harsher penalties on tourists who break immigration laws. The new rules have dramatically increased punishments, with some visa-related offenses now carrying prison sentences of up to 20 years. According to the government, these changes, implemented to protect the country’s immigration system, are part of a broader effort to curb illegal activities.
Visitors who adhere to standard visa extensions, such as 30- or 60-day stays, are not affected by these stricter regulations, but those who break the rules may face serious consequences.
Under these updated regulations, visa-related offenses that previously carried penalties of six months to one year in prison can now result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
At a press conference, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, said: “We want to protect our immigration system and ensure that tourists respect our laws. The new rules are intended to send a strong message.”
Operation Jagratara and law enforcement
To enforce the new visa regulations, the Indonesian Immigration Department has launched “Operation Jagratara.” This operation focuses on cracking down on foreigners who violate visa rules. This year, 400 people have already been deported for violating immigration laws, and more deportations are expected as the operation continues.
In addition to the deportations, the government has deployed 125 immigration agents in Bali, one of the country’s main tourist destinations.
Immigration officers on the ground
Patrolling Bali on 20 jeeps and 20 motorcycles, these immigration officers are responsible for monitoring tourist activities and ensuring visa regulations are met. Officers have also been given authority to carry firearms as a self-protection measure, particularly in situations involving dangerous transnational criminals.
“These regulations not only target visa violations, but also transnational crimes. Our agents must be equipped to deal with these threats,” explained Karim, justifying the decision to arm immigration agents.
Impact on tourists and locals
For law-abiding tourists who comply with the standard 30-day visa on arrival or the extended 60-day visa, these stricter regulations will not affect. Karim reassured travelers by saying: “As long as you follow the visa rules, these changes will not affect you.”
However, for those caught violating visa laws, the consequences are much more serious. The government is committed to ensuring that the new rules improve the safety of both its citizens and tourists by tightening border controls and monitoring the flow of travelers. There are also plans to increase the number of immigration checkpoints across the country, which will allow for more effective tracking of people entering and leaving Indonesia.
How do Indonesia’s visa laws compare to other countries?
Indonesia’s new visa regulations are part of a global trend in which many countries are enforcing stricter immigration laws and imposing harsh penalties for violations. Here are some countries with strict immigration rules:
Singapore: Overstaying the visa can lead to fines, imprisonment of up to six months and caning in extreme cases.
United Arab Emirates: Visa violators face detention, daily fines and immediate deportation.
Saudi Arabia: Overstaying can result in heavy fines, imprisonment, and a permanent ban on re-entering the country.
Australia: Repeated visa violations may result in detention, deportation, and ban on re-entry.
United Kingdom: People who overstay their visa may be deported and barred from re-entry. Employers who hire illegal workers can be fined up to £20,000 per person.
First published: October 15, 2024 | 12:48 p.m. IS
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.