Aceh immigration checks 15 foreigners, finds no violations
Immigration officers from West Aceh and the Foreigners Supervision Team (PORA) conducted an inspection of 15 foreign nationals at tourist accommodations in Simeulue District, Aceh Province, on Thursday, finding all travel documents and residence permits in full compliance with immigration regulations.
The operation targeted three surf resorts on the remote island of Simeulue, located 150 kilometres off the west coast of Sumatra. The island, covering 1,838.1 square kilometres with a population of 97,529, has become known for its world-class surf breaks and pristine beaches that attract international visitors seeking uncrowded waves.
"The operation was conducted to ensure that no foreign nationals violated Indonesia's immigration law," said Nicky Avry Muchelly, head of the West Aceh Class II Immigration Office.
The joint inspection involved multiple agencies including Simeulue's National Unity and Politics Office, Simeulue Police, the district prosecutor's office, Military District Command 0115, and the Simeulue Naval Base. Officers visited Mahi-Mahi Resort, Aura Surf Resort, and Moon Beach Surf Resort to check documentation of foreign tourists staying at the facilities.
The 15 inspected individuals held citizenship from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Officers reviewed travel documents and residence permits while verifying that the foreigners' presence and activities aligned with immigration regulations. All documentation met legal requirements.
Coordinated supervision framework
The Foreigners Supervision Team, established under Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, conducts coordinated supervision of foreign nationals in Indonesia through inter-agency cooperation. The framework brings together representatives from various ministries and governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive monitoring.
Under Indonesian immigration law, foreign nationals who overstay their permits by more than 60 days face deportation and entry bans, while those overstaying less than 60 days are subject to fines of one million rupiah per day. Working without proper permits carries particularly severe penalties, including up to five years imprisonment and fines reaching 500 million rupiah under Article 122 of Immigration Law 6/2011.
Muchelly emphasized that effective monitoring requires cooperation among agencies and continuous information-sharing. "No single agency can monitor foreign nationals effectively on its own. PORA members need to coordinate, share information and communicate continuously so reports can be followed up within their respective mandates and legal authority," he said.
The West Aceh Immigration Office has demonstrated active enforcement when violations are detected. During the first half of 2026, from January through June, the office deported six foreign nationals for immigration violations, including four Chinese citizens, one Pakistani, and one Malaysian.
Regional inspection pattern
The Simeulue operation follows a similar inspection conducted in Sabang, Aceh, on October 8, 2026, where immigration officials checked 10 foreign nationals and also found no violations during a joint monitoring operation with PORA.
Indonesia received 10.58 million foreign tourist arrivals from January to August 2026, representing a 5.38 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Tourism Ministry. The growth in international visitors underscores the importance of coordinated immigration monitoring across tourist destinations throughout the archipelago.
