Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Directorate General of Immigration has issued a new regulation requiring all foreigners seeking to extend their stay permits to appear in person at an immigration office for photo capture and interviews.

The rule, outlined in Circular Letter No. IMI-417.GR.01.01/2025, takes effect on Thursday, Acting Immigration Director General Yuldi Yusman, announced.

"This procedure also applies to foreigners holding a visa on arrival," he said on Wednesday (28/5/2025), as quoted by antara news.com.

Before their in-person appointment, applicants must register and upload documents online via evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

Exceptions apply to vulnerable groups—including the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those facing urgent situations—who may complete all steps, including payment and interview, at the immigration office in one visit.

This policy follows a rise in stay permit misuse. From January to April 2025, 2,201 foreigners faced administrative immigration sanctions—a 36.7% increase from the same period in 2024.

The regulation also aims to strengthen the monitoring of sponsors, who are legally responsible for reporting any changes in the foreign national's address, marital status, or immigration status.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)