Jakarta: Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim urges all stakeholders of agencies to realize upstream-to-downstream digitalization within Indonesian Immigration. In the briefing delivered at the National Evaluation and Coordination Meeting (REKN) on the 73rd Immigration Service Day series events, Silmy said Immigration made specific communications with Angkasa Pura regarding the management of auto gates at international airports.
"Immigration must be shifting, meaning we are digitalizing, focusing on contributing to the economy through satisfactory and user-friendly services. Digitalization will also be weighty in law enforcement, surveillance, and immigration intelligence. That way, Immigration's strength in guarding Indonesia's border will be even more solid," said the Director on Wednesday (18/01/2023) afternoon.
Immigration also coordinates and assembles various preparations for implementing the Golden Visa. This visa is a new form of the Second Home Visa, targeting international investors, business people, global talents, and international elderly tourists who meet the criteria. The Golden Visa is a 'golden ticket' for potential individuals from various countries to develop capital, leading to increased employment opportunities and national economic development.
"Paying for online visa extensions, online stay permits, and overstays, I hope in the future, can be done using a credit card. This payment mechanism needs support from related agencies to implement the program. We will try to discuss it further," he said.
Apart from conveying the progress of the programs being implemented, Silmy expressed his high hopes to the heads of the Immigration Office and the Immigration Board of Directors, who were present. According to him, it is not impossible that one day all immigration services will be available digitally and can even be stored in the application.
"I dream that one day Indonesian Immigration will be significantly advanced, evolving as a good model for other countries. I hope that one day our passports will be able to use an application so that it will be even easier. The physical passport is still there, but it can also be represented by an application, for example, using a QR Code, as in Qatar. At the airport, there is also a fast auto gate to lessen dependence on humans," he said.
"Later, we will prepare some programs (immigration services) allowing foreigners to enjoy holidays and do business in Indonesia. We will continue to develop big data and particular supporting systems," he concluded.
On this occasion, the Director General of Immigration also conveyed his initiative to improve the interest of Immigration employees. Silmy is currently establishing communication with stakeholders regarding the use of budget, IT, and employee welfare with the hope that this can be implemented at Immigration.
"Finally, President Joko Widodo specifically asked me to learn more about Immigration in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I will explore their privileges, in addition to Immigration in Qatar and Singapore which I will also use as a reference to bring Indonesian Immigration to the forefront," he concluded.
Public Relations of the Directorate General of Immigration