Indonesia's KPK Prosecutes Eight in Visa Bribery Case, Including Former Immigration Chief

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is pursuing legal action against eight individuals implicated in a bribery scheme concerning foreign national visa permits and gratification within the Directorate General of Immigration. Among those charged is Silmy Karim, a former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs and former Director General of Immigration.

The KPK has uncovered allegations of "lubricant fees" for expedited visa processing, with illegal charges reportedly ranging from Rp1 million to Rp1.5 million per person. While official processing times for limited stay visas (ITAS) are typically three to seven days, the alleged bribes aimed to accelerate these procedures.

Official fees for ITAS vary based on duration, from Rp500,000 for 30 days up to Rp7 million for five or ten years. Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) fees range from Rp7 million to Rp15 million.

The eight suspects, including Silmy Karim, are currently detained for the first 20 days of their prosecution. The investigation originated from a case concerning the Plan for the Use of Foreign Workers (RPTKA) at the Ministry of Manpower and financial transaction reports from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). PPATK data revealed fund flows into 96 accounts linked to 35 immigration officials between 2019 and 2025.