Indonesia’s immigration authorities have introduced emergency stay measures following widespread flight cancellations linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East, marking one of the first significant Immigration Indonesia updates of 2026.
According to Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration, foreign nationals stranded due to airspace closures in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran will be granted temporary emergency residence permits and exemption from overstay penalties. The policy follows combined military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which disrupted aviation routes across the Gulf region.
The directive, formalised under Letter No. IMI-GR.01.01-133 dated 1 March 2026, instructs airport immigration offices to issue Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa (ITKT), or Emergency Stay Permits, valid for up to 30 days and extendable if necessary.
Emergency Stay Permits and Overstay Waivers
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said the focus remains on maintaining service continuity and procedural certainty for affected passengers.
The Indonesian Immigration priority, as stated, is to ensure smooth services, orderly inspections, and legal clarity for passengers impacted by flight cancellations or diversions.
Under the new measures, foreigners who overstay due to cancelled or rerouted flights will face a zero-rupiah penalty, provided they submit written confirmation from airlines or airport authorities. The decision effectively suspends standard overstay fines for cases directly linked to the airspace closures.
Through the issuance of Immigration Circular Letter No. IMI-GR.01.01-133 dated 1 March 2026, immigration offices overseeing airports are instructed to:
- Grant an Emergency Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa/ITKT) with a validity period of up to 30 (thirty) days, which may be extended if required in accordance with prevailing regulations; and
- Apply a zero-rupiah (Rp 0.00) overstay penalty for foreign nationals who have overstayed due to these conditions, upon submission of a supporting letter or declaration issued by the Aviation Civil Authority (airline or airport authority).
As of Saturday evening (28 February), authorities recorded 2,228 affected passengers across Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, and Kualanamu International Airport in North Sumatra. Of these, 1,644 were foreign nationals and 584 Indonesian citizens, spread across eight delayed or cancelled international flights.
Immigration officers have been instructed to cancel departure records within the system for impacted passengers and crew, preventing automatic overstay flags.
Compliance Still Required Despite Overstay Relief
Despite the temporary overstay waiver, immigration officials emphasise that the facility does not replace standard visa compliance obligations.
Foreign nationals remain responsible for ensuring their Indonesia residence permits, visit visas, or limited stay permits remain valid. The emergency ITKT is designed to address disruption, not to substitute formal extensions where eligible.
Immigration consultants note that travellers who are able to regularise or extend their visas should do so within the permitted window, particularly for business visa holders, retirement visa applicants, and work permit holders whose activities continue in Indonesia.
For expats in Indonesia navigating flight uncertainty, early action remains critical. Visa extension applications, change-of-status requests, and compliance reviews can typically proceed even amid travel disruption.
Read more about Extending Your Indonesia Visas
Immigration Indonesia Policy 2026 & Its Operational Adjustments
The emergency measure represents a targeted response within Indonesia immigration policy 2026, rather than a broad tightening of entry rules.
Officials confirmed that additional personnel have been deployed in international arrival and departure areas to manage fluctuating flight schedules. Processing procedures remain unchanged for unaffected travellers.
The ITKT facility allows foreign nationals to remain legally in Indonesia for up to 30 days, with possible extensions depending on ongoing travel restrictions. The policy does not automatically convert into long-term Indonesia residence permits.
Analysts note that Indonesia has historically implemented similar discretionary measures during global emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, when temporary stay permits were widely used to address travel disruptions.
Geopolitical Context: Middle East Conflict Impact Indonesia
The latest Middle East conflict impacts Indonesia primarily through aviation and logistics channels rather than direct diplomatic measures.
Airspace closures in parts of the Gulf disrupted long-haul routes connecting Southeast Asia to Europe and the Middle East. Indonesia relies heavily on transit connections through Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, particularly for tourism and business travel.
While Indonesian authorities have not introduced new security-related visa screening policies, immigration monitoring has intensified at international gateways to manage irregular flight movements.
Policy observers say geopolitical instability may also influence relocation patterns and capital flows, particularly among expatriates and investors seeking regional diversification.
Impact on Expats in Indonesia
For expats in Indonesia, the immediate implications are largely procedural.
Foreign nationals whose visas were nearing expiry due to cancelled departures can now regularise their status without financial penalties, subject to documentation requirements. Business visitors, social visa holders and short-term stay permit holders are among those potentially affected.
Long-term KITAS and KITAP holders remain legally secure, although outbound travel plans may require adjustment. No formal announcement has been made regarding delays in work permit approvals or investor visa processing.
Nonetheless, immigration advisers recommend maintaining complete documentation and monitoring official circulars closely as geopolitical developments evolve.
Forward Outlook for Immigration Indonesia
Authorities have not indicated that the emergency stay facility will become permanent. The policy remains directly linked to aviation disruption stemming from Middle East instability.
Further escalation could prompt additional Indonesia visa updates, particularly if commercial aviation networks face prolonged uncertainty.
For now, the Directorate General of Immigration maintains that procedures remain stable, with temporary flexibility granted where necessary.
Foreign nationals are advised to:
- Retain written proof of flight cancellations
- Monitor visa validity dates
- Proceed with extensions where eligible
- Seek professional consultation where uncertainty arises
In a period marked by geopolitical volatility, Immigration Indonesia has signalled a pragmatic approach, balancing humanitarian discretion with regulatory discipline under Indonesia immigration policy 2026.
About Lets Move Indonesia
Lets Move Indonesia is a Jakarta-based Immigration, Legal and Business Setup Consultancy providing end-to-end visa, residence permit and compliance advisory services across Indonesia and ASEAN.
The firm regularly advises expatriates, investors and multinational companies on Indonesia visa updates, residence permits, work permits and corporate immigration strategy.
For tailored guidance on visa extensions, compliance audits or relocation planning amid evolving geopolitical conditions, professional consultation remains essential.
