It appears that deportation alone may no longer be enough for everyone who violates immigration rules. Indonesia’s immigration authorities have made it clear that if a foreign national breaks the law, they may not only be expelled from the country but also face criminal prosecution.
Hendarsam Marantoko, head of Indonesia’s immigration service, explained that these measures are intended to send a message to those who come to the country with dishonest intentions.
“Do not assume that you will simply be deported. We will bring criminal charges, and those found guilty will go to prison,” he stressed.
The statement followed the case of ten foreign nationals accused of illegally obtaining investor visas. The cases against eight Pakistani citizens and two Iraqi citizens have already been referred to prosecutors. They all entered Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta.
During an inspection, immigration officers noticed that all the “investors” were living in the same apartment. The investigation found that the documents used to obtain the visas, including notarised deeds and company bank statements, were fraudulent. Investigators believe that the real purpose was not to conduct business in Indonesia, but to obtain a temporary stay permit (ITAS) and then make it easier to apply for a UK visa. Indonesia was merely a transit point in the scheme. The defendants face up to five years in prison and a fine.
Monitoring foreign nationals remains one of the main priorities in Bali as well. During the first six months of 2026, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office recorded 531 immigration violations. Over this period, 168 foreign nationals were banned from entering Indonesia, 38 had their stay permits revoked, 136 were placed in immigration detention centres, and 189 were deported.
In addition to administrative measures, criminal prosecution is already being used in Bali. This year, a Chinese citizen who attempted to enter Indonesia using a forged passport was brought to trial.
According to the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, the most common violations are forged documents, overstays, misuse of visas, and foreign nationals’ involvement in criminal activity. To identify such violations, regular raids are conducted in popular tourist areas in Bali.
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