8 Chinese nationals deported after illegal mall work in Surabaya
Immigration also placed the eight on a blacklist after finding three types of violations of stay and work permits.
The Class I Special Immigration Office at TPI Surabaya deported eight Chinese nationals after they were caught working illegally on a restaurant renovation project at Pakuwon Mall in Surabaya. The deportation was carried out through Juanda International Airport on 22 June 2026, following a surveillance operation on 4 June. Officers found them doing electrical installation, piping, construction, air-vent installation, and field supervision of the project. Inspection results showed four were using D2 visit permits but doing technical work, three holders of C20 permits were working outside the sponsoring company, and one holder of an ITAS as a technical manager was working for a company and at a location that did not match the documents. Immigration said they violated Article 122 letter a of the Immigration Law and also imposed a blacklist.