Authorities at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Immigration Office have intercepted 13 Indonesian citizens (WNI) attempting to travel for the Hajj pilgrimage through non-procedural channels. The individuals were found to be using function visas to bypass official government procedures.
Modus Operandi and Detection
The interceptions occurred during intensive inspections conducted on April 18 and 19, 2026, at Terminal 3 of the international departures area. According to Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, the passengers attempted to disguise their intentions by presenting work visas.
Of the 13 individuals, eight were flagged although attempting to fly to Jeddah; upon further questioning, they admitted their true purpose was to perform the Hajj. Another four individuals claimed they were traveling for Hajj using work visas but lacked the necessary supporting employment documents.
The final individual was detected through system analysis, revealing a history of similar attempts to depart for the pilgrimage without following official protocols.
The Significance of Preventative Measures
This operation follows a directive from the Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, who emphasized that immigration officers must act not only as gatekeepers but as protectors of the public. The primary goal is to prevent citizens from facing legal complications or safety risks in their destination country.
Immigration officials noted that non-procedural departures often involve offers of “ease” that can lead to significant financial losses and jeopardize the safety of the pilgrims while abroad.
Potential Next Steps
Following the interceptions, officials have coordinated with the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Division. This collaboration is likely to lead to a deeper investigation into the mechanisms used to obtain these work visas for non-employment purposes.
Further enforcement actions may be taken if the investigation reveals organized networks facilitating these non-procedural journeys. Authorities may as well increase profiling and system checks for flights to Jeddah during the pilgrimage season to deter similar attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were stopped from departing?
A total of 13 Indonesian citizens were prevented from departing.
What was the primary method used to attempt the illegal Hajj?
The individuals used work visas (visa kerja) without the required supporting employment documents to attempt to enter the destination country for Hajj.
Why is the Immigration Office preventing these departures?
The measures are intended to protect citizens from potential legal issues, financial losses, and safety risks in the destination country that arise from using non-procedural channels.
Do you believe stricter system profiling is the most effective way to prevent visa misuse for religious pilgrimages?
