SINGARAJA, Bali – Immigration officials in North Bali have urged residents to report foreign nationals living in boarding houses or rented homes as authorities consider expanding patrols beyond the region’s main tourist hotspots.
For now, inspections remain focused on areas with large foreign populations, including Lovina Beach in Buleleng, Amed in Karangasem and Medewi in Jembrana. However, Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra said boarding houses and rented homes could also become patrol targets in the future.
“Boarding houses are not yet our primary target. We are still focusing on areas with a high concentration of foreign nationals. However, boarding houses and rental homes could also become patrol targets in the future,” Kusuma Putra said on Tuesday.
He encouraged residents to notify immigration authorities if they know of foreign nationals living in their neighbourhoods, particularly in boarding houses or rented homes.
“We hope the people of Buleleng will inform us if they know of foreign nationals living nearby, especially in boarding houses or rented homes. We will follow up on every report in accordance with the applicable procedures,” he said.
The Singaraja Immigration Office has been conducting its Jagratara Patrol since last week, focusing on tourist destinations and other areas with large foreign populations to deter immigration violations.
So far, officers have not found any breaches of Indonesia’s immigration laws.
“These patrols are carried out regularly and have been conducted continuously. So far, we have not found any immigration violations committed by foreign nationals,” Kusuma Putra said.
Officers check passports, residence permits and other immigration documents while also looking for possible misuse of stay permits. Foreign nationals who fail to produce valid documents may be taken to the immigration office for further questioning.
The immigration office is also strengthening reporting through the Foreigners Reporting Application (APOA). Hotels and other accommodation providers in Buleleng, Jembrana and Karangasem have been reminded to register foreign guests through the system, as required under Indonesia’s Immigration Law.
“Every hotel and accommodation owner is required to register foreign guests through APOA. The system helps us maintain accurate records of foreign nationals and ensures the information is readily available whenever it is needed by law enforcement agencies,” Kusuma Putra said.
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