Indonesia has adopted strict visa regulations that significantly increase penalties for tourists who break immigration laws. Offenses that previously carried sentences of up to one year can now attract imprisonment of up to 20 years, according to Time of India.

The Indonesian government outlined several key elements of the new rules:

1. Severe penalties: Visa violations that once carried sentences of six months to a year can now carry maximum sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

2. Government’s firm approach: The regulatory change highlights Indonesia’s steadfast stance to safeguard its immigration system and ensure tourists follow the law.

3. Operation Jagratara: The Indonesian Immigration Ministry launched Operation Jagratara, specifically designed to enforce visa regulations and reduce illegal activities among foreign visitors.

4. Recent deportations: This increased effort has already resulted in the deportation of 400 people this year for immigration policy violations.

5. Protection of law-abiding tourists: These new measures will not impact tourists who comply with visa regulations, such as using standard 30 or 60 day visa extensions.

6. Increased presence of immigration officers: To ensure compliance, 125 immigration officers have been deployed to Bali, one of Indonesia’s busiest tourist destinations. The presence of these officers aims to strengthen Bali’s reputation while ensuring that visitors follow legal guidelines.

The agents will actively patrol the island using 20 jeeps and 20 motorcycles, thus promoting visibility and effective monitoring of tourist activities.

7. Authorization of firearms: Immigration personnel have been authorized to carry firearms to protect themselves and deal with potential threats from dangerous transnational criminals. Silmy Karim, from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration, stressed that the ability to use firearms is vital for officers’ safety when interacting with dangerous criminals.

8. Focus on transnational crime: The new regulations not only target visa violations, but also aim to combat transnational crime in Indonesia.

9. Creation of additional checkpoints: Plans are underway to create more immigration checkpoints to strengthen border security and monitor traveler movements. These new checkpoints will help the government track people entering and leaving the country more effectively.

10. Commitment to Public Order: Indonesia prioritizes public order by strengthening immigration regulations and securing its borders against illegal activities.