Starting May 2025, Indonesia has officially launched full e-passport services across all its immigration offices—an upgrade that simplifies international travel, visa applications, and airport processing for citizens and long-term foreign residents.
As reported by Social Expat (2024), the move is part of a broader digitalization push by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration. For global citizens living in Indonesia or planning to relocate, this development brings enhanced convenience, mobility, and access to visa-free travel in various regions, including Europe.
“Starting in May 2025, all immigration offices across Indonesia will be able to issue e-passports,”
— Social Expat, 2024
What Is an E-Passport?
An electronic passport (e-passport) is a biometric passport embedded with a microchip that contains the holder’s photo, fingerprint data, and personal information. This chip enhances:
- Security (harder to forge)
- Speed (faster at immigration counters)
- Global access (recognized in more countries with visa waivers)
Previously, e-passport issuance in Indonesia was limited to major cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, or Denpasar. Now, it’s available nationwide, including smaller cities and provinces—ensuring broader access for Indonesians and foreign residents applying for permanent stay permits.
Why This Matters for Expats and Foreign Residents
For expats in Indonesia—especially those on long-term visas such as KITAS, KITAP, or retirement permits—the expanded e-passport rollout has several indirect benefits:
- Faster Re-entry into Indonesia
While expats don’t receive Indonesian passports, many are married to Indonesian nationals or have children with dual citizenship. With more family members holding e-passports, travel planning becomes smoother—especially when using e-gates at Indonesian airports.
- Streamlined Processes at Immigration
The Directorate General of Immigration is continuing to upgrade all related services, from visa-on-arrival systems to online applications for extensions and overstay payments. The availability of e-passports reflects a more digitized, efficient immigration system overall—a welcome development for foreign residents.
- More Inclusive Mobility for Mixed Families
For expats living in Indonesia with local spouses or children, the expanded e-passport program allows the whole family to enjoy faster, more seamless international travel, including simplified entry into Schengen countries and other regions that honor biometric passport holders.
E-Passports and Visa-Free Travel
Indonesia’s e-passport holders currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to dozens of countries, including Japan, several EU nations, and other destinations that require biometric verification.
According to Social Expat, with the new nationwide e-passport rollout, more citizens—regardless of their location—can apply for Schengen or Japanese visas more efficiently, improving mobility and expanding global opportunity (Social Expat, 2024).
This doesn’t directly affect foreign nationals, but it does make it easier for expat families, business partners, or teams with Indonesian staff to travel together on short notice—important for companies or families with a global lifestyle.
Looking Ahead: A More Connected Indonesia
The expansion of e-passport services reflects a broader pattern in Indonesia: the steady modernization of administrative services and global alignment. Whether it’s national ID integration, online property transactions, or visa applications, Indonesia is becoming increasingly expat-friendly—digitally and logistically.
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Source:
Social Expat. (2024, May 6). Starting May 2025, Full E-Passport Services Available in Indonesia. Retrieved from https://www.socialexpat.net/starting-may-2025-full-e-passport-services-available/
