Surabaya Immigration Deports Eight Chinese Nationals Over Work Permit Violation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Class I Specialized Immigration Office in Surabaya, East Java, has deported eight Chinese nationals found working illegally on a restaurant renovation project inside Pakuwon Mall, Surabaya.

The deportation, which took place through Juanda International Airport on Monday, June 22, 2026, underscores the administration's dual approach of welcoming foreign investments while strictly enforcing labor laws to protect the local workforce. The violations were initially uncovered during a field operation conducted by the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team on June 4, 2026.

"Officers found the foreign nationals carrying out technical work, ranging from electrical installations, piping, construction, to installing an air ventilation system on a restaurant renovation project in the Pakuwon Mall area of Surabaya," Surabaya Immigration Office Head Agus Winarto said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Subsequent investigations and document verifications revealed a layered misuse of stay permits among the eight foreigners. Authorities categorized the offenses into three distinct types of visa violations.

Four of the Chinese nationals held index D2 visitor visas but were caught performing manual, technical labor on-site. Another three individuals possessed index C20 visitor visas but were found employed by a company entirely different from the sponsor listed on their immigration paperwork.

The final individual, despite holding a limited stay permit (ITAS) designated for a technical manager position, was also discovered working at a location and for an employer that did not align with their official corporate sponsor.

Agus emphasized that the administrative actions were taken to uphold legal order and safeguard employment opportunities for domestic workers. "Indonesia is very open to foreign investment and labor, which can benefit development. However, they must comply," he added.

He reiterated that all foreign nationals operating within the country are legally required to utilize stay permits that accurately match their actual activities, work strictly within their authorized job descriptions, and remain employed only by their designated sponsoring companies.

The actions of the eight foreigners were deemed a direct violation of Article 122 paragraph a of Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration. In addition to being expelled from the country, all eight individuals have been placed on the government’s deterrence list, effectively banning them from re-entering Indonesia for a specified period.

To prevent similar infractions, Agus noted that his office is currently bolstering its intelligence functions, expanding field operations, and tightening cooperation with related agencies to monitor foreign activities across Surabaya.

"We are committed to creating a healthy investment climate that is fair to local workers and free from illegal foreign practices," Agus said.

The case marks the latest in a series of enforcement actions by local authorities. Prior to this incident, the Surabaya Immigration Office also deported three other Chinese nationals who were found to have manipulated data and provided fraudulent sponsorship information to secure their visas. ***