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Photo: RRI/KJRI Sydney

Director General of Immigration of the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights/ Silmy Karim/ hopes/ the electronic passport or e-passport service at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sydney/ Australia/ can provide convenience for Indonesian citizens residing in Australia/ especially in Sydney//

In  written information received in Jakarta/ Friday (6/9)/ Silmy Karim said/ the e-passport service at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney was officially launched on Wednesday (4/9)// The inauguration is part of a series of celebrations for Indonesian Independence Day and the 75th Anniversary of Indonesia-Australia Diplomatic Relations// In addition/ the launch also confirms the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney as the first Indonesian Representative in the Pacific and Oceania regions/ which can issue electronic passports//

The Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney is the eighth Indonesian Representative to serve the issuance of e-passport// Previously/ the Directorate General of Immigration has opened e-passport services in Singapore/ Tokyo-Japan/ Seoul-South Korea/ The Hague-Netherlands/ Jeddah-Saudi Arabia/ Los Angeles-United States/ and Berlin-Germany//

Silmy Karim said/ electronic passports are equipped with chips that store biometric data//

With more advanced security features/ electronic passports are safer from potential forgery// In addition/ it also makes it easier for Indonesian citizens in Australia who often travel internationally/ because the immigration inspection process is smoother//

According to Silmy Karim / easy access to e-passports helps Indonesian citizens abroad when applying for visas to other countries/ especially to countries that have easier visa approval preferences for electronic passport users//

Silmy Karim added/ the Directorate General of Immigration is committed to bringing immigration services closer to the community/ including Indonesian citizens abroad/ through the provision of e-passport services at Indonesian Representatives//