Starting December 2024, 13 Immigration Offices Issue 100 Percent Electronic Passports

Starting December 2024, 13 Immigration Offices Issue 100 Percent Electronic Passports

Tuesday, 03 Dec 2024

The Directorate General of Immigration of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections began issuing 100 percent electronic passports (e-passports) to replace ordinary passports. The policy of implementing the issuance of electronic passports will take place in stages starting from 13 Immigration Offices as of December 1, 2024.

Acting Director General of Immigration Saffar M Godam said that the policy marks a new chapter in Indonesia's immigration system. “As of December 1, 2024, all Indonesian citizens who apply for a passport at 13 designated Immigration Offices will automatically get an electronic passport,” he said on Monday (2/12/2024).

Going forward, the policy of issuing 100 percent e-passports replacing ordinary passports is planned to be implemented at all Immigration Offices in the country. The 13 Immigration Offices designated as pilots include:

The thirteen Immigration Offices designated as exemplars are as follows:

1. Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office, Tangerang, Banten

2. South Jakarta Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

3. West Jakarta Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

4. Medan Immigration Office, North Sumatra

5. Batam Immigration Office, Riau Islands

6. Makassar Immigration Office, South Sulawesi

7. Tangerang Immigration Office, Banten

8. Surabaya Immigration Office, East Java

9. Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Bali

10. East Jakarta Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

11. Central Jakarta Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

12. North Jakarta Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

13. Tanjung Priok Immigration Office, DKI Jakarta

Electronic passports, or e-passports, are travel documents that incorporate an electronic chip containing biometric data of the passport holder, including facial photographs and fingerprints. This data is encrypted using advanced security technology, making it extremely difficult to forge. Additionally, e-passports feature other security elements, such as specialized ink and holograms that are challenging to replicate.

According to information from Soekarno-Hatta Immigration, this technology offers numerous advantages, one of which is the simplified visa application process for certain countries. In fact, in some nations, only electronic passports are eligible for specific benefits, such as autogate access and visa exemptions. Consequently, the cost of obtaining an electronic passport is higher than that of a standard passport. (ridwan@insightinnews.com)

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