Indonesia Reinforces Immigration Oversight with New Biometric Requirements for Visa Extensions
Indonesia Reinforces Immigration Oversight with New Biometric Requirements for Visa Extensions

Indonesia Reinforces Immigration Oversight with New Biometric Requirements for Visa Extensions

While this growing influx of expatriates and international visitors contributes positively to economic and cultural development, it also presents increasing risks of immigration violations, ranging from overstays and misuse of residence permits to failures in reporting presence and providing required information to immigration authorities.

To address these concerns, the Directorate General of Immigration Indonesia has issued Circular No. IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025 on the Adjustment of Immigration Stay Permit Services, reinstating biometric photo procedures at immigration offices as a mandatory component of the ITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) and ITK (Visit Stay Permit) extension process.

Starting from Wednesday, 21 May 2025, all foreign nationals applying for any type of ITAS or ITK extension will be required to visit their registered immigration office to complete biometric data collection, including facial photographs. This amendment marks a shift from the previous regulation—Decree No. IMI-261.GR.01.01 of 2025, which had allowed such services to be conducted online or through officer-assisted desks.

Key Objectives of the Reinstated Biometric Policy:

With increasing numbers of foreign nationals entering Indonesia, the government has announced stricter immigration regulations to protect national sovereignty and ensure compliance. Reinstatement of the biometric policy is a key part of this effort. This regulation facilitates compliance in the following ways:

  1. Minimise the risk of immigration violations through tighter procedural controls.
  2. Map the distribution and activities of foreign nationals by immigration office jurisdiction to ensure real-time data availability.
  3. Ensure greater legal certainty for immigration stay permit services and related applications.
  4. Support a more efficient and effective immigration administrative supervision process under the Smart Immigration Governance (SIG) framework.

Impacted Visas and Permits

The new Visa Extension regulation will affect a wide range of temporary stay permits and visas, including but not limited to:

  • Work KITAS
  • Investor KITAS
  • Retirement KITAS
  • Dependent KITAS (Spouse/Family-Sponsored Visas)
  • Golden Visa (Silver Hair, Digital Nomad, and Global Talent Visas)
  • Second Home KITAS

While implementation is scheduled to commence at the South Jakarta Immigration Office, other regional offices are expected to follow in the coming weeks. As such, applicants are strongly advised to prepare for in-person biometric submissions at their respective immigration offices in accordance with their registered domicile.

At Lets Move Indonesia, we remain committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate these changes with clarity and compliance. Our legal and immigration consultants are on hand to offer tailored guidance for your visa extension processes under this new regulation.

For further information or assistance, please contact our immigration advisory team.

Related Articles About Indonesia Visas

Indonesia Visas 2024: What Are The Differences Between Visa on Arrival and Single Entry Visas

Which Indonesia Visas Grant Multiple Entries? A Guide to Multiple Entry Business Visa and KITAS in Indonesia

Indonesia Introduces New PNBP Regulations for Immigration Services

Professional Business & Visa Consultant

Recognised as the Most Ethical Visa & Business Consultancy, Lets Move Indonesia has been the leading business consulting firm in Indonesia since 2016. We aim to be a complete resource for expatriates, giving reliable and professional assistance.

Get Your Free Consultation

Latest News

Get to Know Latest Business & Visa Updates

As one of the countries with majority of muslim residents in the world, Indonesia has a relatively strict regulations regarding halal certification, making businesses selling products that do not meet halal criteria (haram) now face a separate compliance requirement: they must make that status clear to consumers. Under Peraturan BPJPH Nomor 3 Tahun 2026 on […]

Natalia Harfiana

09/03/2026

For companies employing foreign nationals in Indonesia, immigration compliance does not end when a visa or work permit is issued. As businesses expand, foreign employees may move between offices, factories, project sites and client locations, creating additional compliance considerations that can easily be overlooked. An immigration inspection in Indonesia is one of the ways authorities […]

Natalia Harfiana

09/02/2026

For foreign investors, Indonesia offers several pathways to establish a business, invest capital and build a long-term presence in the country. But one distinction remains critical: being an investor does not automatically mean you can perform every type of work in Indonesia. The question is no longer simply which visa allows you to stay. It […]

Lets Move Indonesia

08/27/2026

Indonesia has introduced a new framework for trademark registration, bringing changes to how businesses apply for, publish and obtain trademark protection. Minister of Law Regulation No. 5 of 2026 on Trademark Registration (“MOL Regulation No. 5/2026”) was issued on 13 January 2026 and took effect on 23 February 2026. The regulation replaces Minister of Law […]

Lets Move Indonesia

08/26/2026

Setting up a company in Indonesia involves more than registering a business entity. Foreign investors must consider the appropriate corporate structure, foreign ownership rules, investment requirements, licensing, employment regulations and ongoing compliance. For investors considering an Indonesian business presence, the PT PMA company, Penanaman Modal Asing, or foreign-owned limited liability company, is generally the principal […]

Lets Move Indonesia

08/19/2026

Indonesia’s visa framework in 2026 gives international travellers several ways to enter the country, ranging from visa-free visits and Visa on Arrival (VoA) to single-entry, multiple-entry and longer-term residence visas. For travellers heading to Bali, Jakarta or elsewhere in the archipelago, understanding the rules before departure is essential. A visa may facilitate entry, but final […]

Lets Move Indonesia

08/14/2026