Visas & Immigration

The legal framework governing administrative sanctions and deportation in Indonesia is primarily established under Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2011 tentang Keimigrasian), specifically within Chapter IX. Administrative Immigration Measures (Tindakan Administratif Keimigrasian or “TAK”) are distinct from criminal sanctions; they are non-judicial penalties imposed by authorized Immigration Officers on foreigners who violate administrative regulations or pose a threat to public order. Legal Basis and Authority for Administrative Measures Under Article 75, Paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011, the Directorate General of Immigration possesses broad discretionary power to impose sanctions. The article states: ...

The legal framework governing dual citizenship for minors in Indonesia is primarily established by Law No. 12 of 2006 concerning Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia (Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2006 tentang Kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia). This statute marked a significant departure from the previous regime under Law No. 62 of 1958, which strictly adhered to a single-citizenship principle based on the father’s lineage (ius sanguinis). The current legal doctrine adopts a “limited dual citizenship” (kewarganegaraan ganda terbatas) model, designed specifically to protect the legal status of children born from mixed marriages and those born in ius soli jurisdictions. ...

The legal framework governing immigration in Indonesia has transitioned from colonial-era control mechanisms to a modern system predicated on the “Selective Policy” (Kebijakan Selektif), balancing national security with economic development. The evolution of these statutes reflects Indonesia’s shifting posture toward global mobility, sovereignty, and international human rights standards. The Colonial Foundation and Post-Independence Transition The origins of Indonesian immigration law are rooted in the Dutch colonial administration’s efforts to regulate the movement of persons within the East Indies. The primary instrument was the Immigratie-ordonnantie (Staatsblad 1944 No. 22), which remained the prevailing legal authority long after Indonesia’s independence in 1945. Under the transitional provisions of Article II of the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945), colonial laws remained valid as long as they did not contradict the new republic’s constitution. This era was characterized by a restrictive approach focused on the surveillance of “foreign Orientals” and Europeans, managed through the Toelating-Besluit 1916 (Admission Decree). ...

The utilization of foreign workers (Tenaga Kerja Asing or TKA) in Indonesia is governed primarily by Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower, as significantly amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law (commonly referred to as the “Job Creation Law” or “Omnibus Law”). The operational framework for TKA utilization is further detailed in Government Regulation (PP) No. 34 of 2021 on the Utilization of Foreign Workers and Minister of Manpower (Permenaker) Regulation No. 8 of 2021. ...

The legal framework for long-term residency in Indonesia for high-net-worth individuals and investors is primarily governed by Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 22 of 2023 regarding Visas and Stay Permits (Peraturan Menteri Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia Nomor 22 Tahun 2023 tentang Visa dan Izin Tinggal), as amended by Regulation No. 11 of 2024. These regulations formalize the Second Home Visa and the Golden Visa programs, which are designed to attract global capital and talent through extended stay durations and streamlined administrative requirements. ...

The legal framework governing immigration offenses in Indonesia is primarily established under Chapter XI of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2011 tentang Keimigrasian), as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 regarding the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law. These statutes delineate specific criminal acts (Tindak Pidana Keimigrasian) that are distinct from administrative violations, carrying penalties of imprisonment and substantial fines. ...

The institutional framework governing immigration in Indonesia is characterized by a centralized authority under the executive branch, primarily vested in the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and executed through a hierarchical structure of specialized agencies and technical units. This structure is fundamentally rooted in the principle of state sovereignty, as articulated in Article 1, Paragraph 1 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration: “Keimigrasian adalah hal ihwal lalu lintas orang yang masuk atau keluar Wilayah Indonesia serta pengawasannya dalam rangka menjaga tegaknya kedaulatan negara” (Immigration refers to matters concerning the movement of people entering or leaving the Indonesian Territory and its supervision in order to maintain the state’s sovereignty). ...

The Limited Stay Permit, known as Izin Tinggal Terbatas (ITAS), is the primary immigration instrument governing the temporary residency of foreign nationals in Indonesia. Its legal foundation is established under Article 52 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, which defines the permit as follows: “Izin Tinggal Terbatas diberikan kepada Orang Asing yang masuk Wilayah Indonesia dengan Visa Tinggal Terbatas atau Orang Asing yang diberikan alih status dari Izin Tinggal Kunjungan.” (A Limited Stay Permit is granted to foreigners who enter Indonesian Territory with a Limited Stay Visa or foreigners who are granted a change of status from a Visit Stay Permit.) ...

The legal framework governing the acquisition of Indonesian citizenship is primarily established by Law No. 12 of 2006 concerning Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia (Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2006 tentang Kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia). This statute replaced the previous Law No. 62 of 1958, marking a shift toward more inclusive principles while maintaining the state’s fundamental rejection of multi-nationality for adults. The implementation of naturalization procedures is further detailed in Government Regulation No. 2 of 2007, which was significantly amended by Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022 to streamline administrative processes and accommodate specific categories of applicants. ...

The Permanent Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Tetap, hereinafter “ITAP”) is the highest tier of residency status afforded to foreign nationals under the Indonesian immigration framework. Governed primarily by Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (the “Immigration Law”) and its implementing regulations, including Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013 as amended most recently by Government Regulation No. 40 of 2023, the ITAP serves as a mechanism for long-term residency for specific categories of foreigners who have demonstrated a stable nexus to the Republic of Indonesia. ...

The legal framework governing Visit Visas in Indonesia is primarily established by Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration (the “Immigration Law”) and its implementing regulations, most notably Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013 as amended, and Minister of Law and Human Rights (MOLHR) Regulation No. 22 of 2023 concerning Visas and Stay Permits. Under Article 34 of the Immigration Law, a Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan) is one of four types of visas issued by the Indonesian state to foreign nationals. ...

The legal framework governing entry into Indonesia for short-term stays is primarily established by Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2011 tentang Keimigrasian) and its various implementing regulations, most notably Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013 as amended by Government Regulation No. 40 of 2023. Within this framework, the Visa-Exemption (Bebas Visa Kunjungan) and Visa on Arrival (Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan) regimes provide the primary mechanisms for foreign nationals to enter the territory for non-permanent purposes such as tourism, government duties, business meetings, or transit. ...