The issue of foreign tourists overstaying their visas in Bali has surfaced again, with the recent deportation of a 55-year-old Spanish national identified by the initials FBC.
Claiming to be a journalist and intending to establish a business, the Spanish foreigner overstayed in Indonesia for more than three years before being deported to Spain.
The Denpasar Immigration Detention Centre deported FBC via Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. According to the Head of the Denpasar Immigration Detention Centre, Gede Dudy Duwita, the Spanish national had violated Article 78, Paragraph 3 of Indonesia’s Immigration Law (Law No. 6 of 2011).
“Immigration violations such as overstaying cannot be tolerated,” Dudy stated.
The Spanish foreigner initially entered Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in January 2020 using a Visit Stay Permit (ITK), which was valid until 2 May 2021.
However, he remained in the country without renewing his permit until December 2024, resulting in an overstay period of 1,316 days.
During questioning, FBC admitted to living in various parts of Bali and Lombok, primarily working as an online media journalist for Spanish publications.
He also expressed intentions to establish a business in Bali, although this venture never came to fruition.
When approached by immigration officers, FBC was unable to produce his passport and confessed that he was aware of his expired residence permit.
He attributed his failure to extend the permit to financial difficulties. The case underscores Indonesia’s strict stance on immigration violations, with Dudy reiterating that overstaying foreign nationals will face firm action.
