Indonesia Changes Immigration Process: Foreigners Must Visit Office for Stay Permit Renewals

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has revised the regulations for extending stay permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia. Effective May 29, 2025, all foreign nationals are now required to visit an Immigration office in person to extend their stay permits.

Previously, the entire extension process could be completed online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id. However, from May 29, 2025, only the submission of required documents can be done online.

Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, clarified that in accordance with Circular Letter Number IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, which takes effect on May 29, 2025, foreign nationals in Indonesia must undergo a photo capture and interview process at an Immigration office when applying for a stay permit extension. This new procedure also applies to foreigners holding a Visa on Arrival (VoA).

"Prior to this stage, foreign nationals will register their stay permit application and upload the necessary documents online through the website evisa.imigrasi.go.id," Yuldi stated in a press release on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Yuldi explained that this policy aims to mitigate potential misuse of stay permits, maintain administrative order in immigration, and enhance oversight of sponsors for foreign nationals. "We implemented this adjustment to the stay permit extension procedure after thoroughly evaluating the outcomes identified by the Directorate General of Immigration," Yuldi added.

He further noted that based on available data, the rates of stay permit misuse and sponsors failing to fulfill their responsibilities remain high. For instance, during the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) operation conducted in collaboration with the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) in the first quarter of 2025, the Directorate General of Immigration successfully identified 546 foreign nationals suspected of abusing their stay permits and 215 companies suspected of being fictitious or problematic.

Periodic statistical data on immigration administrative actions show an increase from 1,610 foreign nationals apprehended between January and April 2024, to 2,201 foreign nationals during the same period in 2025. "Regarding law enforcement performance based on immigration administrative actions in 2025, there has been a significant 36.71 percent increase," Yuldi emphasized.

For vulnerable groups of foreign nationals, including the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those in urgent conditions, the process of application registration, document submission, payment, photo capture, and interview at the Immigration office can be done directly (walk-in) and assisted by officers. Yuldi also urged all foreigners in the process of extending their stay permit or changing their data to provide accurate information during their interviews with officers.

"We remind foreign nationals to provide genuine information to officers to avoid future difficulties," he advised.

Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, expressed hope that the implementation of this policy will strengthen the supervision system for the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Indonesia. "And ensure that all immigration processes comply with the applicable laws," he concluded.

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