Immigration Removes "Overstay" For Foreigners Affected By Mount Lewotobi Eruption

The impact of the eruption of the lewotobi mountain (Between)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections through the Directorate General of Immigration has removed costs through the overstay period for foreign nationals affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

In addition, Immigration also facilitates the residence permit of forced states for foreigners affected by flight cancellations due to the eruption. This policy is regulated in the Circular Letter of the Director General of Immigration Number IMI-568.GR.01.01 of 2025.

"This step is taken to provide legal certainty regarding the immigration status of foreigners due to natural disasters or force majeure conditions," said Immigration and Correctional Minister Agus Andrianto in an official statement received in Jakarta, Saturday.

Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman has ordered the head of the immigration office in the area around Mount Lewotobi Laki to impose a cost rate of IDR 0 selectively for foreigners whose residence permit exceeds the timeframe due to the eruption.

Yuldi explained that the abolition of overstay costs could be given based on a request from a foreigner or guarantor, by attaching a certificate from a government or police agency.

This, he added, is in accordance with Article 52 of the Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number 9 of 2020 concerning Terms and Procedures for Imposing Rupiah Zero and US$Nol Tariffs on Immigration Services.

Meanwhile, the granting of residence permits has to be carried out through task forces on standby at affected airports, such as I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali and Komodo International Airport and El Tari International Airport in NTT.

"We instruct the head of the immigration office at the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration of NTT, West Nusa Tenggara, and Bali to facilitate the request for residence permit for forced states for affected foreigners," said Yuldi.

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki that occurred on Tuesday (17/6) caused significant disruption to flights, both domestically and internationally.

As of Wednesday (18/6) at 16.00 WITA, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport recorded 87 flights canceled in one day, with 66 of them being international routes dominated by routes to and from Australia and Singapore.

Not only that, as many as 2,166 passengers at Komodo International Airport were also affected by flight cancellations in the same period.

"This condition has the potential to cause immigration problems, including visa status or residence permit and overstay for foreigners," said Yuldi.