Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, who told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, said the new visa policy was in line with global measures to promote safety.
He said the visa conditionals were reviewed in October 2016.
He, however, said it was easier for those with frequently used passports to get visas.
He explained that applicants seeking to travel to Indonesia also need to be invited or have certain recommendations to visit that country.
The envoy added that the policy had made visa application process for Nigerians “quite tough” but added that it was for the safety of all.
“We (the embassy) could authorise the issuance of visas without having to get in touch with Jakarta; but since October 2016, we have to send visa applications from here to Jakarta for approval.
“We here can make only recommendations on visa applications, especially if applicants have programmes to undertake in Indonesia, but it is at the discretion of authorities in Jakarta to approve the visas that will be issued.
He also said that about 2,000 visas were issued to Nigerians in 2016.
Purwanto also said that in 2015, the embassy issued 2,000 visas.
He further said that both countries were working on programmes that could enhance people-to-people relations, adding that such relations would promote understanding between both cultures.
“We have about 50 Nigerian students in Indonesia, some under scholarship, and they serve as ambassadors for Nigeria there.
“The Nigerian community in the country is not so large, that is why crimes committed by a few could tarnish the image of others.”
Purwanto, however, assured that both governments were working to change such bias.
from todayng
He said the visa conditionals were reviewed in October 2016.
He, however, said it was easier for those with frequently used passports to get visas.
He explained that applicants seeking to travel to Indonesia also need to be invited or have certain recommendations to visit that country.
The envoy added that the policy had made visa application process for Nigerians “quite tough” but added that it was for the safety of all.
“We (the embassy) could authorise the issuance of visas without having to get in touch with Jakarta; but since October 2016, we have to send visa applications from here to Jakarta for approval.
“We here can make only recommendations on visa applications, especially if applicants have programmes to undertake in Indonesia, but it is at the discretion of authorities in Jakarta to approve the visas that will be issued.
He also said that about 2,000 visas were issued to Nigerians in 2016.
Purwanto also said that in 2015, the embassy issued 2,000 visas.
He further said that both countries were working on programmes that could enhance people-to-people relations, adding that such relations would promote understanding between both cultures.
“We have about 50 Nigerian students in Indonesia, some under scholarship, and they serve as ambassadors for Nigeria there.
“The Nigerian community in the country is not so large, that is why crimes committed by a few could tarnish the image of others.”
Purwanto, however, assured that both governments were working to change such bias.
from todayng
Indonesia kwa, hian!
ReplyDeleteOkay
ReplyDeleteI blame our bros that wont stay one place but to go to that yeye country indonesia.
ReplyDeleteAnyway wetin concern me self. I no fit go for any yeye country like this
Ignorant cow...check their GDP & that of Nigeria and tell me which one yeye pass. Y'all just talking rubbish based on hearsay...you think the world revolves around US, UK, Canada and the European Union
DeleteThis might seem good but it will only enrich the ndlea officers. Those guys dont have the fear of God.
ReplyDeleteGood initiative
ReplyDeleteExactly what is good about this?
Deletec common Indonesia they gv Nigerians conditions b4 we will enta their country...
ReplyDeleteyeye they smell, all these Asian countries that have extreme laws against drug use. with citizens living like prisoners unable to voice their mind.
Pls nigeria sud join and legalise weed sef.
to some extent alcohol cause more damage than weed.
HOPEFULLY, THEY WONT ARREST ANY NAIJA DRUG PEDDLER AGAIN
ReplyDeleteYou are the only one dt has said anything reasonable here. This move is even meant to save the life of nigerians drug peddlers.Which reasonable person goes to Indonesia?
DeleteIdiot...a lot of reasonable and rich people go their for vacation. Not everyone seeking to travel to Indoneasia is peddling drugs. Would it be fair to assume every Nigerian has terrorist ties since own country is home to the world's most brutal terror group; Boko Haram & yes they're more brutal than ISIS, check your stats
DeleteHmmmm we already know the ppl involved,if i say I you say P another man say OB omo na you said
ReplyDeleteHmmmm we already know the ppl involved,if i say I you say P another man say OB omo na you said
ReplyDeleteSo true. Went to Bali last year and had to get my Visa from Abuja. So many guys at the embassy, some couldn't even speak English. The interview is not private so you can hear each persons response. It seemed pretty obvious that many of them were not there for genuine reason. Kwenu! Na them full there.
ReplyDeleteThis policy does not in any way promote safety rather it epitomizes DISCRIMINATION and the Nigerian government and NDLEA are too blind & slow to see this. To even start with, what database does the NDLEA check before it gives the recommendation or is it the usual "who you know" or "money for hand, back for ground"? Indoneasians coming to Nigeria should also be made to face same music since the drugs originate from their place & for all we know, the "white/oyibo" (even though they're NOT) privilege syndrome may grant them easier access into Nigeria. It is appauling how the Nigerian government lets her citizens go through some of the harshest and demeaning immigration policies around the world. I remember one Korean employee at the Nigerian consulate in Atlanta who use to spill vile at Nigerians in their own embassy. You go to your consulate to renew your passport or get a new one & they give you the shitty story of how the servers in Abuja is down, so you have to make payment through a 3rd party (of course with extra fees) before you get your passport.
ReplyDeleteOga because I can't speak English doesn't make me a bad candidate for a country's visa especially when English is only a spoken language their and NOT their official language. The policy discriminates against people without travel history, so someone who's been to Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran, Thailand & Malayasia (terror & drug states) is more likely to get an Indoneasian visa than an 18 year old who's trying to travel out to Bali or Jakarta for school on a virgin passport. That's plain profiling and discrimination
ReplyDelete