DENPASAR, BALINEWS — The number of foreign nationals held at the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center (Rudenim Denpasar) has risen sharply in 2026, reaching 46 detainees as of September 30, up from 26 during the same period last year.
According to data from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration, the increase represents a 76.92 percent rise year-on-year.
Head of Rudenim Denpasar Teguh Mentalyadi said the situation inside the detention center remains safe and under control. However, efforts to accelerate deportations are continuing amid the increase in the number of detainees.
Rudenim Denpasar has a capacity of 80 people. At the same time, budget limitations remain one of the challenges facing the facility. The current food budget, Teguh said, is allocated for 30 people.
“We continue to make every effort to accelerate deportations,” Teguh said during a media gathering titled “Media Synergy in Strengthening the Publication of Immigration Performance in Bali” on Thursday (Oct. 1, 2026).
As part of efforts to reduce the number of detainees, Rudenim Denpasar transferred several detainees to the Makassar Immigration Detention Center in early September 2026.
Another 10 detainees are scheduled to be transferred to the Kupang Immigration Detention Center in the near future.
177 Foreign Nationals Detained in 2026
From January 1 to September 30, 2026, Rudenim Denpasar recorded 177 people who had been placed in immigration detention.
Of that number, 143 have been deported, while seven detainees have been transferred to other immigration detention centers.
The highest number of detention cases was recorded in April 2026, with 28 detention actions. During the same month, Rudenim Denpasar also carried out 29 deportations within a 30-day period.
The jurisdiction of Rudenim Denpasar covers not only Bali but also West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). As a result, detainees are referred to the facility from immigration offices across Bali as well as immigration offices in NTB.
Among the 177 people detained during the first nine months of 2026, nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan and Russia were recorded as the most frequently detained groups by nationality.
According to Rudenim Denpasar, the most common cases involved immigration violations such as overstaying, disturbances of public order, and foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences and were subsequently placed in immigration detention.
Deportations Delayed by Ticket Costs and Travel Documents
Deportation cannot always be carried out immediately after a foreign national is placed in immigration detention.
One of the main obstacles is the cost of airfare to the detainee’s country of origin. If a detainee cannot afford a ticket, Rudenim Denpasar seeks financial assistance from family members or relatives, foreign diplomatic missions such as embassies and consulates, as well as guarantors or sponsors.
Another obstacle arises when a detainee’s nationality has not yet been confirmed. In such cases, the necessary travel documents may not be issued.
Deportations may also be delayed when travel documents are unavailable or have expired, when medical treatment is required, or when a detainee’s medical condition needs to be assessed before travel.
A deportation can also be postponed if the detainee is still required for an investigation, criminal inquiry, prosecution or court proceedings, based on an official request from law enforcement authorities.
In principle, deportation can proceed once the cost of travel, nationality status, travel documents and other administrative requirements have been completed. The detainee must also be medically fit to travel and no longer required for an ongoing law enforcement process.
Teguh said Rudenim Denpasar would continue coordinating with relevant parties to accelerate deportations while managing the number of detainees at the facility.
