Jakarta, IO – They can do this just by submitting an application at the country’s overseas missions.
Immigration director general Silmy Karim said the process can be done as long as the passport issuance system at the overseas are integrated with the Immigration Management Information System (SIMKIM), per Antaranews, Saturday (28/10).
“There is a need for Indonesian citizens living abroad to be able to access electronic passport services easily,” said Silmy.
Silmy explained that easy access to electronic passports is important because its features are more sophisticated than ordinary passports. According to him, this will affect the application process to countries that speed up visa issuance to holders of electronic passports.
“Holding an electronic passport makes it easier for Indonesian citizens who travel frequently to countries that require a visa,” he said.
Silmy said electronic passports contain more complete data because they store biometric data in the form of the holders’ face and fingerprints on the chip and can be scanned.
Other conveniences given by e-passport include visa-free facilities for short visits to Japan. According to Silmy, Indonesian citizens who apply for a visa to Europe can also get a longer stay period than those with ordinary passports. (un)