Abuse of Limited-Stay Visas for Foreign Direct Investment from the Perspective of National Security: A Case Study of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta
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The increasing flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the facilitation of investment-based residence permits have created new challenges in maintaining a balance between economic interests and national security. The misuse of foreign investment limited-stay visas (VITAS Investor) has emerged as a potential non-traditional security threat due to the possibility of fictitious investment activities, regulatory exploitation, and weaknesses in foreigner supervision mechanisms. This study aimed to examine patterns of VITAS Investor abuse, identify vulnerabilities within the existing immigration surveillance system, and formulate an intelligence-based strategy to strengthen early detection mechanisms in the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. This study employed a qualitative approach using a case study method based on Yin’s framework. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and field observations involving relevant stakeholders in immigration and investment governance sectors. The findings revealed that VITAS Investor abuse occurred through interconnected technical-organizational and socio-functional patterns, including discrepancies between formal investment requirements and actual business activities, intermediary networks, and deviations in the activities of residence permit holders. The existing supervision system had established administrative controls, field inspections, and interagency coordination; however, limitations remained in data integration, investment verification, and proactive risk identification. This study proposed a Competitive Early Warning model consisting of risk identification, intelligence monitoring, and management action components to strengthen immigration surveillance. The implementation of an intelligence-based approach is expected to improve selective migration governance, mitigate security risks, and maintain a balance between investment facilitation and national resilience.
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