Jakarta. Indonesia’s directorate general in partnership with the Indonesian consulate general in Sydney recently launched electronic passport services. 

The launch was part of Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations. It also sought to celebrate the country’s 75th year of diplomatic ties with Australia. The launch also made the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney the first Indonesian representative in the Pacific and Oceania to be able to issue electronic passports.

"The opening of electronic passport services at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney is expected to provide convenience and increase satisfaction in terms of immigration services to Indonesian citizens living in Australia, especially in Sydney," Silmy Karim, the director general of immigration, was quoted as saying in a press statement. 

The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney is the eighth Indonesian representative to serve the issuance of e-passports. Similar services have already entered into force in Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), The Hague (Netherlands), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Los Angeles (United States), and Berlin (Germany). The Indonesian representative in the Hague was the first to launch such services. 

Electronic passports are equipped with a chip that stores biometric data. With more sophisticated security features, electronic passports are more secure from possible counterfeiting and make it easier for Indonesians in Australia who frequently travel internationally due to a more seamless immigration inspection process.

As part of the inauguration, Silmy also handed over an e-passport to Suherli Handajani, an Indonesian citizen in New South Wales who will turn 93 in October 2024. A five-year-old Indonesian citizen, Asia Pithioud, who currently lives in Sydney, also got a passport. 

Ease of access to E-Passports helps Indonesians abroad when applying for visas to other countries. Especially to countries that have a preference for easier visa approval for electronic passport users.

"We are committed to bringing immigration services closer to the community, including Indonesian citizens abroad through the provision of E-Passport services at Indonesian representatives. In the future, we will continue to make innovations that bring immigration services closer to Indonesian citizens abroad," Silmy said.