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View all search resultsVisa approval process an aspect of national sovereignty
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(Photo: Courtesy of the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Immigration Directorate General )
T
he visa approval process is a part of a nation's sovereignty, according to Agung Sampurno, who is head of public relations at the Immigration Directorate General at the Law and Human Rights Ministry.
This statement was made in response to viral social media news of Israeli citizens who applied for a visa to Indonesia but were rejected.
Immigration officials, according to Agung, are responsible for carrying out the task of handling the traffic of people going in and out of Indonesia. As such, proper supervision of this traffic is important to ensure national sovereignty.
Visa applications may be refused for a number of reasons. These reasons include not having the required amount for living expenses, being at risk of carrying infectious diseases, involvement in critical acts and others. A foreign national may not always meet the required provisions to enter Indonesia. If a foreign national is denied their visa, it is an aspect of Indonesian sovereignty to reject anyone wishing to enter Indonesian territory.
A visa agreement can be likened to a host stopping individuals whenever they attempt to enter his house. People are not allowed to enter someone's home without the homeowner's permission. Likewise, with visas, nobody is allowed to intervene in these decisions. Even public officials can be denied entry. Rejections, as a result, are natural.
Indonesia adheres to a selective policy in order to protect its national interests. Only foreigners who are considered useful and will not endanger national security or public order are allowed into Indonesia.
In accordance with Article 1, Paragraph 18 of Law No. 6/2011 on immigration, foreign citizens are required to have a visa that is still valid in order to travel to Indonesia. The visa will then serve as a basis for issuance of a stay permit. There are exceptions for foreigners who are included as part of visa-free countries or international agreements who are free from visa requirements.
Visas are given and signed by immigration officers at Indonesian representative offices abroad. In accordance with ministerial regulations, visas can also be given upon arrival at an immigration checkpoint.
