Immigration Waives Overstay Fines for Foreign Nationals Affected by Iran Conflict

Jakarta, KORANTRANSAKSI.com – The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has implemented a Rp 0 overstay penalty for foreign nationals affected by the military conflict in the Middle East. The policy was established by the Director General of Immigration on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Through Director General of Immigration Circular Letter Number IMI-GR.01.01-133 dated March 1, 2026, the Directorate General of Immigration instructed airport immigration offices to anticipate a surge in international travelers impacted by airspace closures in the region.

Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, urged international passengers—particularly those transiting through the Middle East—to regularly check their flight status via official airline applications. He also advised passengers to coordinate with airlines or airport officials if they require immigration assistance.

“We urge international passengers, especially those transiting through the Middle East, to always check flight status via official airline applications and immediately coordinate with airline or airport officers if immigration assistance is needed,” Yuldi stated.

Yuldi explained that travelers experiencing overstay can receive the Rp 0 tariff by providing a statement or declaration from the Civil Aviation Authority, the airline, or airport authorities. In addition to the zero-tariff policy, the Directorate General of Immigration also grants Emergency Stay Permits (ITKT) valid for up to 30 days, which can be extended in accordance with regulations if necessary.

The airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday morning, February 28, 2026, triggered airspace closures in several countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran. This situation directly impacted international flight operations to and from Indonesia.

Based on monitoring reports as of Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 9:00 PM WIB, eight international flights at three major airports—Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah Rai, and Kualanamu—were either canceled or delayed. The disruption affected 2,228 passengers, consisting of 1,644 foreign nationals and 584 Indonesian citizens.

Yuldi emphasized that immigration authorities responded swiftly by canceling departure clearances—both manually and through the system—for affected passengers and airline crew. He ensured that immigration services at airports continue to operate optimally and remain under control.

According to him, the Directorate General of Immigration is focused on maintaining smooth services, orderly inspections, and procedural certainty for passengers affected by flight cancellations or diversions.

He also instructed immigration officers at airports to adjust personnel deployment in international arrival and departure areas according to flight dynamics. Officers are required to coordinate intensively with airport authorities, airlines, and related agencies in response to schedule changes, route adjustments, and flight cancellations. In addition, officers continue to monitor flight developments through official channels and credible aviation data sources. (TIM)