The Indonesian Consulate General In Sydney Launches The First E-Passport Service In Australia And The Pacific

The launch of the e-passport service at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, Australia. (Source: Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney).

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Pahala Mansury said that the presence of e-passor services is expected to make Indonesian Representatives provide better services for Indonesian citizens (WNI) abroad, during the launch of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, Australia E-Passport Service on Wednesday which was also attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono.

"The launch of this e-passport is an effort to improve the service of Indonesian Representatives to Indonesian citizens as part of the priority of foreign policy, service and protection of Indonesian citizens," said Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala, in a statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, Friday, September 6.

He added that this e-passor service is expected to support Indonesia's efforts to increase people-to-people contact with Australia, especially between business people and the increase in Indonesian professional workers who work in Australia.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Consul General in Sydney Vedi Kurnia Buana said this is an e-passport service in Australia and the Pacific.

"With the addition of e-passor features to immigration services, of course, it will make it easier and more easier and more proud and confident for Indonesian citizens' communities abroad in traveling across countries," said Consul General Vedi.

Electronic passports are equipped with chips that store biometric data, making it easy for holders to pass through automatic gates (autogates) at airports.

With the latest security features, electronic passports are safer from potential counterfeiting, making it easier for Indonesian citizens in Australia who often travel internationally due to the seamless immigration inspection process.

"The opening of electronic passport services at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney is expected to provide comfort and improve user experience in terms of immigration services to Indonesian citizens living in Australia," said Director General of Immigration RI Silmy Karim.

To note, since August 26, 2024, Indonesian or foreign children aged six years or more have been able to pass through Indonesian entrances using an autogate.

More sophisticated facial recognition technology allows facial detection even in children aged six years. With this innovation, children will feel more comfortable through the immigration process at the airport.