Indonesia Cracks Down on Illegal Foreigners in Creative Sector

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government is tightening supervision of foreign nationals in the creative economy sector after uncovering illegal photography practices that harmed local businesses.

The move was marked by the deportation of 25 foreign photographers found to have misused their residence permits and Visas on Arrival (VoA) to conduct commercial activities in Indonesia.

Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, emphasized that action against the misuse of stay permits is part of the government’s efforts to protect the public and national businesses. He stressed that Indonesia remains open to foreign professionals and international cooperation, as long as activities comply with the law.

Minister Agus cited immigration monitoring findings of foreigners operating businesses and services using VoAs or stay permits not intended for work, making them subject to deportation. “They must enter with a sponsor. If they abuse their visa by using a Visa on Arrival and then working, that is the target of our action,” he said on the ministry’s official website.

The ministry noted that misuse of VoAs continues in various sectors, including the creative economy. The VoA is intended to facilitate visits to Indonesia and cannot be used to work or earn income without valid permission.

Supervision will now extend to film, animation, music, and other creative economy subsectors. The ministries will strengthen coordination through the Foreigners Monitoring Team (TIMPORA), information exchange, and public participation in reporting immigration violations.

Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, said the action was crucial to maintaining the sustainability of the national creative economy ecosystem, particularly the photography industry, which has recently faced unfair competition from foreign photographers operating without permits.

According to Riefky, reports from photography associations and creative industry professionals revealed that foreign photographers were opening studios and services in various regions without complying with immigration regulations. Such activities were found in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and Medan.

“Many foreigners are now opening small, very cheap photography studios. This is seriously disrupting the photography ecosystem in Indonesia,” Minister Riefky said after meeting with Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

He praised the swift response of the Directorate General of Immigration. To date, 25 illegal foreign photographers have been deported. “Thank God, the response was swift, and as of today, 25 illegal foreign photographers have been deported. This is certainly good news,” he said.

The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, together with the Ministry of Creative Economy, is also exploring programs to help inmates improve their skills and readiness to return to productive activities through creative economy initiatives.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a healthy business climate in the creative economy sector, ensuring that foreign workers contribute positively without harming domestic businesses. ***