162,000 Hajj Visas Already Processed, Ministry Targets Completion by Early March
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) of the Republic of Indonesia is accelerating the visa processing for Indonesian hajj pilgrims. To date, approximately 162,000 pilgrim documents have been successfully processed, whilst around 40,000 additional documents remain under finalisation.
The Director-General of Hajj Services at Kemenhaj, Ian Heriyawan, stated that the visa processing team, comprising 85 personnel, is working intensively around the clock to ensure all documents are completed on schedule.
“We are working 24 hours continuously in processing documents and visas. So far, roughly 162,000 pilgrims have been processed, with around 40,000 remaining. For visas that have already been printed, the figure has reached 57,000,” said Ian in Jakarta on Friday (27 February).
Ian acknowledged that the process is not without obstacles. Some of the technical challenges encountered include system connectivity with Saudi Arabia and the service packaging process related to hotel accommodation and rooms for pilgrims.
“The main challenge is the technical connectivity with Saudi Arabia and synchronisation of service packaging, as this is critical to ensure certainty of accommodation for pilgrims whilst there,” he explained.
Additionally, requests from pilgrims for mutations or quota transfers also presented complications. However, Ian revealed that his team had restricted the mutation process from two weeks ago to maintain the stability of the quota composition already formed.
He targets the completion of all visa processing by early March, or at least one week before the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
“According to the timeline, we hope all will be complete by early March. Even if the service packaging process in Saudi Arabia progresses rapidly, we are optimistic we can finish by late February,” he said.
Ian added that the visa processing coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan is not an obstacle for the Visa Team in pursuing completion targets.
“The team members are actually pleased. Usually after the Qiyamul Lail prayers, they continue working until dawn. I accompany them to ensure everything runs smoothly,” he concluded.