JAKARTA - Indonesia has abolished fast-track processing for Limited Stay Permits (ITAS) and Permanent Stay Permits (ITAP) for foreign nationals as part of wider reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the immigration system.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the changes were introduced following reforms implemented by Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto.
“Regulatory measures have actually been implemented since the new cabinet was formed, since the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections was established, and since Mr. Prabowo Subianto took office as President,” Yusril said in a video statement on June 5.
He said the reforms were intended to strengthen immigration services and eliminate irregular practices that had previously occurred during the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals.
According to Yusril, applications for ITAS and ITAP require coordination with multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Manpower, and are designed to be completed within four to five days.
However, he acknowledged that some applicants had previously been able to obtain approvals within one to three days through unofficial payments.
“Ultimately, this manipulation occurs. It should be completed within four or five days according to procedure, but can be expedited to one, two, or three days with special payments,” he said.
Yusril said such payments were not channelled into state revenue and therefore constituted extortion or gratification under Indonesian law.
He added that all immigration applications are now processed according to established timelines, with official payments deposited directly into the state treasury.
“Now everything is running normally. All applications are processed within a specified timeframe, completed within four or five days, and all payments are deposited into the state treasury,” he said.
The remarks come amid an ongoing corruption investigation involving former director general of immigration and former deputy immigration and corrections minister Silmy Karim.
Yusril said the allegations stem from practices dating back to 2023 when Silmy served as director general of immigration.
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has identified Silmy and seven other individuals as suspects in an alleged extortion scheme linked to immigration services.
According to KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto, the suspects allegedly obtained Rp145.5 billion through extortion practices at the Directorate General of Immigration between 2022 and 2026.
The funds were allegedly collected from foreign nationals, service agencies and sponsors processing residence permit applications.
Yusril said offences of this nature fall under Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws and can be prosecuted by the KPK.
Indonesia’s immigration system issues ITAS (Limited Stay Permit) and ITAP (Permanent Stay Permit) documents to foreign nationals residing in the country for employment, investment, family reunification and other long-term purposes.
The permits are widely used by expatriate workers, investors and foreign professionals operating in Indonesia.
