Indonesia is reassessing parts of its visa-free entry policy following multiple cybercrime and online fraud cases involving foreign nationals. Authorities said the review comes as the country increases monitoring of immigration misuse linked to transnational criminal networks.
The Directorate General of Immigration confirmed that no decision has been made to cancel visa-free entry, but officials are evaluating the policy after recent operations targeting suspected cybercrime groups.
On May 13, 2026, immigration authorities began reviewing the status of 320 foreign nationals allegedly connected to an international online gambling syndicate. The operation was conducted in West Jakarta in coordination with local police. Officials said the group included 224 men and 96 women.
Preliminary investigations revealed that many of those detained had entered Indonesia using visit stay permits, Visa on Arrival (VoA), or the country’s visa-free entry scheme known as Bebas Visa Kunjungan.
Earlier, on May 8, authorities arrested 210 foreign nationals in Batam over suspected involvement in an online investment fraud operation. The detained individuals were mainly from Vietnam, China, and Myanmar. Immigration officials said 57 were using visa-free entry, 103 held Visa on Arrival permits, 49 had visit visas, and 1 person carried an investor stay permit.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said cases involving foreign nationals engaged in illegal activities are now part of the government’s immigration policy evaluation process.
Authorities also revealed that between the beginning of 2026 and May 5, Indonesia carried out 6,779 immigration enforcement actions. These included 2,026 deportation or stay permit cancellation measures, 1,404 administrative detentions, and 1,323 immigration blacklist entries.
Officials clarified that investigations are not limited to foreign nationals alone. Sponsors or guarantors linked to the cases are also being examined for possible involvement.
Despite the ongoing review, Indonesia has not announced any immediate changes to its visa-free or Visa on Arrival policies. Countries currently eligible for visa-free entry, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, remain on the approved list.
Authorities stressed that tourist or visit permits cannot be used for professional work, operational business activities, or illegal operations.
Indonesia’s move follows a broader regional trend, with Thailand also reviewing its visa exemption policy to prevent misuse linked to criminal activities and unauthorized work.
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