Immigration explanation on 153 Chinese citizens arriving through Soekarno-Hatta airport

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The General Directorate of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights confirmed that 153 Chinese nationals arrived in Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Saturday (1/23/2021).

This was transmitted by the Head of Public Relations of the General Directorate of Immigration, Ahmad Nursaleh, in response to the issue of the arrival of foreign workers (TKA) from China that circulates on social networks.

“On Saturday, January 23, 2021, the China Southern Airlines plane from Guangzhou landed with 171 passengers consisting of 153 Chinese (People’s Republic of China) and 18 Indonesian nationals,” Nursaleh said on Monday (1/23/2021 ).

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Nursaleh said the 153 Chinese foreigners were 150 people with limited stay permits (ITAS) and permanent residence permits (ITAP), as well as three holders of diplomatic visas.

“All foreign passengers who landed are classified as foreigners who are allowed to enter Indonesian territory according to the Circular of the Director General of Immigration on temporary restrictions on the entry of foreigners into Indonesian territory during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said Nursaleh.

He added that the passengers on the plane had also been checked for their health and immigration documents.

“After completing it, the Covid-19 Management Task Force directed him to the quarantine site,” Nursaleh said.

Earlier, rumors circulated that hundreds of foreign workers from China had arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport.

According to photos released on social media, the people named TKA appeared to be wearing personal protective equipment when they arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport.

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It is known that the Government is currently temporarily closing the entry of foreigners from all countries in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

However, based on the Circular of the Director General of Immigration Number IMI-0103.GR.01.01 Year 2021, there are several criteria for foreign citizens to enter Indonesian territory.

Some of them are holders of diplomatic visas and official visas related to the official visit of foreign officials at ministerial level and also holders of limited residence permits and permanent residence permits.