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Text your say: RI's quest for visa-free status in Schengen
Your comments on Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi saying that support is growing for Indonesiaâs request for visa-free access to the Schengen zone, which would enable Indonesian nationals to enter the zoneâs 22 EU-member and four non-EU-member states without visas
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em>Your comments on Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi saying that support is growing for Indonesia's request for visa-free access to the Schengen zone, which would enable Indonesian nationals to enter the zone's 22 EU-member and four non-EU-member states without visas.
It is a step in the right direction. However, the migrant crisis Europe is currently experiencing might possibly affect this bilateral agreement. So let's wait and see.
Phillip Marland
For the sake of tourism, the government's plan to grant visa-free status to Schengen countries is welcome. However, it is widely known that the visa policy should be reciprocal and if the government fails to get visa-free status for Indonesians from Schengen countries, the visa-free status for Schengen nationals should be revoked after six months.
Another way to encourage visitors to Indonesia is to waive the requirement for them to have passports that have at least six months validity. The reason behind this condition is unclear, because the permit to stay can always be limited to within the validity of the passport. This means visitors would have to extend their passports first before their permit could be extended.
While the condition for a passport with six months' validity has not given clear advantage to the government, it has caused problems for Indonesians traveling abroad. As a reciprocal policy, most countries now insist on the same condition, especially for Indonesian visitors.
For example, the US and Singapore impose this condition for Indonesian passport holders while they do not require such a condition for visitors from other countries (sic).
If the government announced that it no longer required passports with six-month validity, most of countries, including the US and Singapore, would no longer impose such requirement, which would ease Indonesian travelers.
Joseph
Jakarta
Why don't we, Indonesians, already get free visas to enter the EU? I mean in 2015, Indonesians are obliged to have e-passports. I think that's secure enough.
Aditya Elman
I read an article about two years ago that Indonesians could fly to the EU without being subjected to strict visa regulations or even be given free entrance if in possession of an e-passport. I think Indonesians deserve that.
I have almost never heard of Indonesians trying to be illegal immigrants or asylum seekers there. Indonesia is a quite safe country. Even Europeans are eager to live and work in Indonesia.
Do you know how many Indonesian students who receive scholarships overseas don't want to return to their country after completing their studies? They extend their visas longer to be able to stay and find jobs there.
Sri Indrapura
