Indonesia's immigration actions against foreigners jump 74.8 percent

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s immigration authorities carried out 17,597 administrative enforcement actions against foreign nationals in January-September 2026, up 74.8 percent from a year earlier, the Directorate General of Immigration said.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko attributed the increase to stronger digital monitoring tools, including the Foreigners Reporting Application (APOA), Subject of Interest (SOI) and Immigration Law Enforcement Application for Refugees (APGAKUM).

“By optimizing APOA, SOI and APGAKUM Refugees, Immigration is working to strengthen an integrated, data-driven and accountable oversight system,” Hendarsam said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

The effort also aims to strengthen officers’ integrity and professionalism, making immigration monitoring and enforcement more effective in maintaining security and public order, he said.

The directorate recorded 17,597 immigration administrative actions against foreign nationals who violated regulations during the first nine months of 2026.

The total rose 74.8 percent from 10,065 actions recorded in the same period of 2025.

The measures included 5,310 residence-permit cancellations, up from 1,865 in 2025; 5,310 deportations, versus 3,062; 3,950 proposed entry bans, versus 1,452; 3,022 detentions, versus 2,652; and five location bans, down from 13.

The 2025 total also included 986 cases combining deportation with proposed entry bans, as well as 35 restrictions, changes or cancellations of residence permits.

Beyond administrative sanctions, the directorate pursued criminal immigration violations, issuing 30 notices of investigation commencement involving 89 suspects from January through September 2026.

Of the 89 suspects, 62 remained under investigation, 20 had reached the P-21 stage, when case files are deemed complete, or trial, and seven had received final, legally binding verdicts.

The largest groups of suspects by nationality were Malaysians, with 34; Chinese nationals, with 20; Pakistanis, with 10; Bangladeshis, with nine; and Filipinos, with five.

Hendarsam said stronger digital monitoring reflected the directorate’s commitment to serving the public through oversight that is firm in enforcing rules but humane in its approach.

“Digitalization ensures our data are accurate, up to date and actionable. With supporting technology and officers’ integrity, monitoring can be more targeted,” Hendarsam said.

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Translator: Laily R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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