TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Long-distance immigration services launched in Sorong
(Kompas
Change Size
(Kompas.com) (Kompas.com)
(Kompas.com)
Long-distance passport and visa application services have been launched by the Law and Human Rights Ministry in Sorong, Papua, on Friday.
Initiated by Sorong Immigration Office head Sigit Setyawan, the services will enable the residents of Fakfak, Raja Ampat and Kaimana regencies to apply for visas and passports without having to come all the way to Sorong. Using the new system, they can easily send the required documents by email or submit them through immigration posts in respective regions.
After the documents are received, the Sorong Immigration Office will conduct a verification process. After being verified, local immigration officers will visit the applicants' home to take photos and fingerprints. The passport will then be issued within three days.
Regarding Sorong's poor internet connection, the ministry's director general of immigration Ronny F. Sompie said that he was optimistic the issue would improve over time and thus increased the service's effectiveness.
'We want to help the people who live in remote areas to be able to apply for passports without having to spend a lot of money just to travel to Sorong. Since the geographic condition in Papua is a little different than in other parts of Indonesia, we'd like to spend a small amount of funds to assist and facilitate the people of Sorong and its neighboring regions,' said Ronny.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the ministry and the regents of Raja Ampat, Fakfak and Kaimana during the service's launching ceremony on Friday. (nov/kes)(++++)
