Indonesia Fast-Tracks Immigration for Foreign Athletes

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian immigration authority is introducing fast-track services and simplified procedures for foreign athletes, aiming to strengthen the country’s growing sports industry and improve international event hosting.

The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections is preparing strategic measures to support the national sports ecosystem by facilitating services for foreign athletes and sports professionals in Indonesia.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the initiative reflects immigration’s evolving role as a facilitator, not only in oversight but also in promoting growth in potential sectors, including sports.

“We will form a special team that handles the sports sector, so athletes can go through administrative processes more easily,” he said after attending the IBL All-Star 2026 game at Bandung Arena in West Java on Saturday night, April 11, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that the team aims to provide easier immigration services for foreign athletes arriving in Indonesia, whether to compete or participate in other sports-related activities.

According to Hendarsam, the rise of “sportainment”, the fusion of sports and entertainment, has increased cross-border mobility among athletes and industry players, requiring more adaptive and efficient service systems.

As a concrete step, Immigration will introduce special fast-track lanes for athletes, allowing them to bypass long queues at airport document checkpoints. In addition, administrative processes will be simplified through an application-based system to prevent repeated inspections.

Hendarsam emphasized that such measures are important to maintain athletes’ comfort, as long queues could affect their mood and ultimately their on-field performance, potentially impacting the national clubs they represent, including those in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) and other competitions.

He added that the presence of foreign athletes not only raises the quality of competition but also serves as a form of soft diplomacy, helping promote Indonesia’s image internationally.

In implementing the policy, Immigration will continue to prioritize its supervisory role, particularly for foreign nationals working in Indonesia. However, the approach will focus more on guidance, prevention, and education.

Looking ahead, the Directorate General of Immigration hopes the policy will strengthen the national sports ecosystem while also generating positive economic impact through the hosting of international sporting events in Indonesia. ***