Today I’m gonna talk about getting an Indonesian passport. It was a bit of a journey, but I finally got it done. So, let me walk you through what I did.
First off, I started digging around for info on how to get this passport. I found out that there are a couple of types, like the regular one and the electronic one (they call it e-Passport). And it seems like you can apply for them at Indonesian embassies or consulates if you’re not in Indonesia. I needed a new one, a regular 48-page passport, so I kept that in mind.
Then I had to figure out where to go. I heard you can do this at any immigration office in Indonesia or at their embassies overseas. I chose to go to the consulate since I’m not in the country right now.
I learned about an app called Passport Online. Some people said it is useful. So I downloaded it and tried to register. I had to put in my Population Registration Number and all that. It was a bit of a hassle, but I managed to get through it. Also, I found a website which is also said it is available, but I didn’t try that one. Maybe next time.
After registering, I had to schedule an appointment at the consulate. I picked a date and time that worked for me, and luckily, they had a slot open. It is important to schedule it first. I read some comments on the internet that some people just visited there without an appointment, and they failed.
When the day came, I went to the consulate for my appointment. There were a few other people there for the same reason. I waited for my turn, and finally, it was my time to go up to the counter.
I told the officer I wanted to apply for a new passport, and they gave me some forms to fill out. I filled them out carefully, making sure all the info was correct. Then, I handed the forms back, along with my old passport and some other documents they asked for.
The officer checked everything and told me I needed to pay the fee. I found out that the regular passport costs around Rp 950,000 if it’s the electronic type with a 10-year validity. But they didn’t ask for that much since mine was the regular one. After paying, they gave me a receipt and said they’d let me know when my new passport was ready.
A few weeks later, I got a notification saying my passport was ready for pickup. I went back to the consulate, showed them my receipt, and they gave me my brand-new Indonesian passport! It felt good to finally have it in my hands.
So yeah, that’s how I got my Indonesian passport. It took some time and effort, but it was worth it in the end. If you’re an Indonesian citizen and need a new passport, just follow these steps, and you’ll get yours too!