Tourists could spend up to 20 years in a Bali prison cell if they are found to have overstayed their visas or violated immigration laws under tough new laws.
Indonesia’s Immigration Department has launched Operation Jagratara, a major crackdown on visitors who breach visa conditions and violate broader laws generally.
Crimes for which tourists would have been jailed for six months to a year will now be punished by ten years, or a maximum of 20 years.
The move serves as a warning to those who travel to Indonesia and flout the rules, with 400 people deported this year alone for violating a range of immigration laws.
The new crackdown will not affect visitors to Bali who apply for temporary visas on arrival and depart within 30 days, or who extend their visa to depart within 60 days.
In the past, some foreigners have been found to have violated their visas and overstayed their visas for months or even years.
Around 125 officers have been deployed to Bali as part of Operation Jagratara, and 20 jeeps and 20 patrol motorcycles have also been deployed.
Highly trained immigration agents will also be able to carry firearms while on the job, the Bali Sun reported.
Tourists could spend up to 20 years in a Bali prison cell if they are found to have overstayed their visas or violated immigration laws, under tough new measures (pictured on Kuta Beach) .
Around 125 officers have been deployed to Bali as part of Operation Jagratara, and 20 jeeps and 20 patrol motorcycles have also been deployed (file image).
“Immigration officials guarding the country’s borders also face major occupational risks, especially in conflict-prone areas,” said Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration Silmy Karim.
“Officers often capture dangerous transnational criminals, so the use of firearms is necessary for self-protection and to ensure that agents can catch perpetrators.”
More immigration checkpoints will also be set up as part of the crackdown.