Indonesia’s Immigration Service has discovered that around 520 foreign nationals entered Bali using investor visas but were actually in the country for other purposes. Most of these foreigners came from China, Russia, Pakistan, India, and Australia, engaging in trade and consulting businesses instead of genuine investments.
Operation “Vira Waspada”
Between January 14 and February 21, 2025, immigration authorities, in collaboration with the police and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), launched Operation “Vira Waspada” to track down visa violators.
The operation targeted foreign-owned companies using BKPM data to verify business activities. Investigators visited company locations to inspect businesses and apprehend violators.
• 267 businesses were checked, whose Business Identification Numbers (NIBs) had been revoked on November 1, 2024.
• 160 of these companies were still operating despite their licenses being revoked.
• BKPM revoked their business permits due to incomplete investment deposits (minimum required: 10 billion IDR).
• Many of these companies acted as visa sponsors for 312 foreign nationals.
Deportations & Ongoing Investigations
• 63 foreign nationals have been deported.
• 111 are awaiting deportation.
• 186 are under further investigation.
• 208 foreigners were linked to 43 suspected shell companies—inspections of their registered addresses revealed no physical offices.
Many of the detained foreigners had completed administrative formalities to establish a business entity but never deposited the required capital, causing Indonesia to lose approximately 1.6 trillion IDR in potential investments.
Operation “Vira Waspada” will continue nationwide, focusing on regions with a high foreign population.
Sources: kumparan
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