Bali Immigration Takes Firm Stand Against Visa Violations

Bali’s Denpasar Immigration Office has recently intensified its efforts to address visa violations, resulting in the arrest of six foreign nationals for abusing the country’s immigration system. This move underscores Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its borders and ensuring that foreign visitors adhere to the regulations governing their stay.

Recent Arrests and Deportations

On February 4th, officials held a press conference to disclose the details surrounding the arrests. The six individuals, hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Ghana, and India, are now facing immigration administrative actions, which include deportation and detention. Under Article 75, paragraph 1 of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, these actions aim to ensure compliance with Indonesian laws.

Individual Cases Highlighted

KSM from the UK: One of the notable cases involves a British citizen, identified only by his initials KSM. Authorities indicated that he has been running an illegal motorcycle rental business in Nusa Penida while holding a visit residence permit valid until February 11, 2025. While KSM is legally married to an Indonesian citizen, he has yet to secure a Limited Residence Permit (ITAS) that permits foreigners to work or conduct business in the country. His operations reportedly involved renting out several motorcycles for IDR 150,000 per day. Immigration officials revealed that KSM had been running the business for an extended period of 6 to 12 months.

CBY from Canada: Another individual, a Canadian identified as CBY, was arrested by South Denpasar Police on suspicion of theft at an art store in the popular tourist area of Sanur. Similar to KSM, CBY is also set to face deportation.

RM from Ghana: The Ghanaian man, known by the initials RM, was detained after overstaying his visa on arrival by nearly six years. RM had entered Indonesia on a 30-day visa in 2019 and was apprehended following multiple reports of his misconduct.

Three Indian Nationals: The group of six is rounded out by three Indian nationals who were arrested in Sidakarya, South Denpasar. These men were implicated in running a visa scam operation, targeting fellow Indian nationals back home. They were found guilty of producing falsified visas and work permits for Canada, leading to financial losses totaling IDR 3 billion for their victims.

A Call for Public Vigilance

Head of the Denpasar Immigration Office, Ridha Sah Putra, emphasized the need for vigilance amongst both officials and the general public. He stated, “We continue to increase surveillance with selective policies. Only foreigners who provide benefits and do not endanger public order are allowed to live in Indonesia.” He encouraged residents to report suspicious immigration activities, highlighting that such cooperation is vital for maintaining Bali’s reputation as a safe and attractive tourist destination.

Understanding Visa Regulations

Foreign nationals in Bali are reminded that engaging in income-generating activities on a visa on arrival or socio-cultural visa is illegal. Additionally, those entering the island on pre-investment and investment visas must be particularly cautious about their activities. Immigration teams are actively monitoring the roles of foreigners in Bali, especially given the rising number of reported abuses of the visa system.

The recent arrests serve as a clear message from Bali’s immigration authorities: compliance with visa regulations is crucial, and violations will not be tolerated. As Bali continues to welcome visitors from around the world, the emphasis on lawful behavior and respect for local laws remains a priority.