Director General Of Immigration Proposes Addition Of 6 Immigration Attaches Abroad, Cambodia Priority

Directorate General (Dirjen) Immigration Ministry of Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim during a coordination meeting held in Los Angeles, California, United States. (ANTARA/HO-Ditjen Immigration)

JAKARTA - Directorate General (Dirjen) of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim submitted a proposal for the addition of six immigration attaches abroad during a coordination meeting held in Los Angeles, California, United States.

"Additions are prioritized in countries with the highest number of Indonesian citizens crossings, both for residential purposes or short visits," said Silmy as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 30.

He said Cambodia was one of the countries deemed urgent to immediately have immigration technical attaches and staff. Apart from being included in the ASEAN region, said Silmy, at least nearly 120,000 Indonesian citizens live and work in Cambodia.

The coordination meeting which took place on 27'31 May 2024 carried the theme Optimizing the Role and Function of Immigration Attaches on Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia Abroad through a Digital Transformation Strategy.

The meeting became a forum for the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work together in immigration issues, consular issues, and issues of protecting Indonesian citizens abroad.

The three issues are considered vital in providing public services, especially to make it easier for Indonesian citizens abroad to access easy, fast, and safe services and protection through digital transformation.

Silmy explained that the optimization of public services in Indonesian representatives was carried out without ignoring the precautionary principle, especially in the provision of passports.

"So [for issuance of passports abroad] in addition to formal requirements, it is also required to have a residence permit. This is to prevent Indonesian citizens from living abroad illegally," he said.

Silmy also emphasized the Immigration ranks to dare to start innovation. We have a spirit of improvement, because it is impossible to wait for it to be perfect and now it is getting better. Just start first and continue to make improvements," he said.

One of the leading innovations currently owned by immigration is platformevisa.imigration.go.id which offers a seamless experience for foreign nationals (WNA) to apply for Indonesian visas.

Through this platform, visa applications can be made anywhere, supported by the ease of visa payment using a credit card. Previously, visa payments were made manually through agents or guarantors.

This online immigration service, continued Silmy, is the first government service that can use a credit card. He said that 1,346,893 transactions had been recorded since the rules regarding online payments with cards were enforced since January 2023.

This e-visa '[Platform] is in line with the SPBE (Electronic-Based Government System) program. Very convenient (comfortable) and can be done anywhere, "said Silmy.