Indonesia Imposes Stricter Visa Regulations with Tougher Penalties to Curb Immigration Violations
Indonesia has introduced much stricter visa regulations, significantly increasing penalties for tourists who breach immigration laws. In the past, offences related to visas resulted in lighter sentences of six months to a year, but under the new measures, violators could now face prison sentences of up to 20 years. This marks a firm stance by the government to enforce compliance and protect the immigration system.
The Indonesian Department of Immigration has also initiated “Operation Jagratara,” which targets unlawful activities carried out by tourists. As part of this initiative, 400 individuals have already been deported this year for visa violations. The operation includes the deployment of 125 immigration officers in Bali, equipped with Jeeps, motorcycles and firearms to ensure safety while tackling threats such as transnational crime.
Despite the tightened regulations, law-abiding tourists adhering to the usual 30 or 60-day visa terms should not be affected. The government also plans to introduce more immigration checkpoints to bolster border security and improve monitoring of movement.
Overall, Indonesia’s visa reforms demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding law and order, while reinforcing efforts to combat transnational crime within the country.