Immigration Tightens Supervision Of Foreigners By Still Implementing Humanist Services

Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto hopes that immigration officers will provide humane services. (IST)

JAKARTA - Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto responded to viral reports on social media regarding foreign nationals whose passports were withheld while participating in an official exhibition in Indonesia.

He emphasized that supervision of foreigners must still be carried out by prioritizing humanist and solution public services.

"Thank you for the amount of information related to the video. This will be our evaluation material," said Minister Agus in an official statement received by VOI on Wednesday, August 13.

Minister Agus Andrianto emphasized that according to President Prabowo's direction, immigration services must prioritize friendly, accessible and educational approaches.

He admitted that he immediately ordered the withdrawal of Immigration officers who detained the passports of trade fairs to the center to be examined.

"We apologize if there is an inappropriate service and for the misunderstanding about it," he said.

Immigration operations, according to Minister Agus, are focused on foreigners who misuse residence permits, such as users of tourist visas for long stay, investor visa holders who do not invest, to overstay violators.

"We are currently reviewing whether the visa gold holder actually includes his investment funds into Indonesia or not," he said.

Minister Agus emphasized that strict supervision should not sacrifice excellent service for foreigners who come officially. "This is an evaluation so that strict patrols continue to run, but with a friendly, solution, and oriented immigration face to public services," he said.

Previously, the owner of the @yully-owibuy account admitted that he was disappointed with the treatment he received. According to him, he applied for a B1 visa that applies to business trips, seminars, exhibitions, and family visits. However, on August 8, 2025, Immigration officers came to him at the exhibition site and detained his passport for alleged violation of his residence permit. "Our passport was immediately confiscated, for questioning," said Agus Andrianto.