Indonesia's anti‑corruption agency exposes bribery in foreign residency permits

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) disclosed that service bureaus paid bribes, known locally as “uang klik,” to immigration officials in Bali to secure processing of foreign residence permits such as KITAS and KITAP. The illicit payments ranged from Rp10,000 to Rp2.5 million per application and were given to staff at the Ngurah Rai and Denpasar immigration offices.

In a June 2026 operation, KPK arrested 17 people – eight civil‑servants and nine private intermediaries – including senior immigration officials. Former deputy minister Silmy Karim surrendered to investigators. Prosecutors say the scheme generated about Rp145.5 billion in illicit profits between 2022 and 2026.

The investigation highlights systemic corruption within Indonesia’s immigration system and the KPK’s ongoing anti‑corruption efforts.