RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - The Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration has officially waived overstay fines for 35 foreign nationals whose travel plans were disrupted by the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. The relief measure, announced Monday, March 9, 2026, covers individuals affected by flight cancellations occurring between February 28 and March 8, 2026.

According to Felucia Sengky Ratna, Head of the Bali Immigration Regional Office, the waiver is a targeted response to force majeure conditions. Under standard Indonesian immigration law, foreigners who overstay their visas by up to 60 days are typically subject to a fine of IDR 1 million per day.

However, authorities have opted to prioritize emergency administrative processing for those unable to depart due to regional instability.

Beyond the fine waivers, Bali immigration authorities have been working to stabilize the status of hundreds of stranded travelers. To date, 270 foreign nationals have been granted an Emergency Stay Permit (ITKT) at the Ngurah Rai and Denpasar Immigration offices.

To qualify for this emergency status, applicants are required to submit a valid original passport to confirm their identity and current visa standing. They must also provide proof of flight cancellation issued directly by the airline, which serves as official documentation of their travel disruption.

Finally, applicants are required to present the original tickets that were invalidated due to the ongoing crisis to demonstrate that their overstay was a direct result of force majeure circumstances. "They have met the emergency administrative requirements," Felucia confirmed, as quoted by Antara.

Immigration offices have implemented a "one-day service" policy for the issuance of ITKT permits to ensure that stranded travelers do not fall into irregular migration status while waiting for airspace to reopen.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the cancellation of at least 40 flights departing from Bali to major Middle Eastern transit hubs, including Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. With airspace closures remaining unpredictable, regional immigration units across Bali have been placed on high alert to respond to further disruptions.

"We understand the difficult situation faced by foreign nationals due to force majeure in the Middle East. Therefore, we are fully committed to being proactive in providing service certainty," Felucia said.

Despite the flexibility, the government is maintaining strict oversight to ensure that the emergency relief is not misused. Immigration officials are conducting close monitoring of all ITKT holders to prevent potential social issues or visa abuse.

Felucia also issued a firm advisory for all affected travelers: stay calm, monitor flight updates closely, and report to the nearest immigration office before their current permits expire to remain in full compliance with Indonesian law. ***