Swiss Passport Chaos: Indonesians Face Rush as Printer Malfunctions

Indonesian Passport Chaos in switzerland Leaves Citizens Stranded

Bern, Switzerland – indonesian citizens residing in Switzerland are facing significant delays and disruptions in obtaining passports, leaving some stranded and forced to cancel travel plans. A malfunctioning passport printer at the Indonesian Embassy in Bern is at the heart of the issue, creating a backlog that stretches for months.

The Indonesian Embassy in Bern is currently grappling with a critical failure in it’s passport printing capabilities. As a result,applications are being diverted to other European locations – Den Haag in the Netherlands and berlin,Germany – for processing. This has led to considerable delays, with some residents reporting waits of up to three months for passport issuance.

“Currently, there are indeed several Indonesian citizens from Switzerland who are processing their passports at the Indonesian Embassy in Den Haag,” confirmed Puji, a social and cultural information officer at the indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands, to Tempo on august 1, 2025. “And we are serving them the best we can.”

The situation has already impacted travelers. Andrea, an Indonesian resident in Zurich, was forced to cancel a planned vacation to Indonesia due to the extended processing times, despite having travel insurance. More alarmingly, a dual-national citizen, Hans, was detained by Swiss immigration upon his return from Indonesia after traveling on an expired passport – a direct consequence of the printer malfunction.His mother, Maureen Mathilda, recounted the ordeal, highlighting the potential for serious complications.

Embassy officials acknowledge the severity of the problem.Purnowidodo, Coordinator of Protocol and Consular Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Bern, stated they are attempting temporary repairs guided by technicians in Jakarta, but these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.”we are attempting manual repairs with guidance from technicians from Jakarta,” Purnowidodo wrote to Tempo on August 4th. “However, these have not proven successful.”

A permanent solution is in the works, with the procurement of a new passport printing machine currently being coordinated between the Indonesian Embassy in Bern, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, and the Ministry of Finance.While officials state the procurement is being expedited, a firm timeline for delivery remains undisclosed.

In the interim, the Indonesian Embassy in Bern is directing citizens to process passport applications in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Den Haag – a logistical challenge for those living across Switzerland.

Evergreen Insights: Passport Processing & Diaspora Challenges

This incident underscores the critical importance of robust consular services for Indonesian citizens abroad. The Indonesian diaspora is growing, and efficient passport and visa services are essential for maintaining connections to the homeland, facilitating travel, and supporting economic ties.

This situation also highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on limited infrastructure within embassies. Regular maintenance, contingency planning for equipment failure, and investment in modern technology are crucial to prevent similar disruptions.

For Indonesian citizens living abroad, its vital to:

Apply for passport renewals well in advance of planned travel.
Maintain copies of vital travel documents, including expired passports. Register with the Indonesian Embassy in their country of residence to receive updates on consular services and potential disruptions.
Consider travel insurance that covers cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances like passport delays.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

What contingency plans are being explored too mitigate the passport printing delays beyond waiting for a replacement printer from Switzerland?

The Unexpected Delay: What Happened?

A meaningful disruption has hit Indonesian citizens applying for Swiss passports, stemming from a critical malfunction in the printing equipment at the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta. The issue, first reported on August 5th, 2025, has created a backlog and a frantic rush for those with urgent travel plans. This impacts both new passport applications and renewals. The core problem centers around a specialized high-security printer responsible for embedding the biometric data and security features into the new Swiss e-passports.

The Swiss Embassy has confirmed the malfunction, citing a rare hardware failure as the cause. While they haven’t disclosed the exact nature of the problem,sources indicate it’s not a software glitch but a physical component breakdown requiring specialized repair and potentially a replacement part shipped from Switzerland. This unexpected downtime is causing considerable anxiety for Indonesian travelers.

Who is Affected by the Swiss Passport Printing Issue?

The disruption primarily affects:

Indonesian citizens with confirmed travel plans: Individuals with flights, tours, or business trips scheduled within the next few weeks are facing the most immediate challenges.

Applicants awaiting passport issuance: Those who have already submitted their applications and are awaiting their new or renewed passports are experiencing significant delays.

First-time Swiss passport applicants: New applicants are facing indefinite processing times,potentially impacting relocation plans or citizenship ceremonies.

Emergency Travel: The situation is notably critical for those needing emergency travel documents for family emergencies or urgent business.

The Swiss Embassy estimates that approximately 3,000 passport applications are currently affected. The backlog is growing daily, exacerbating the stress for affected individuals.

Understanding the Swiss Passport Application Process & Current Disruptions

The Swiss passport application process for Indonesians typically involves:

1. Application Submission: Completing the application form and submitting required documents (proof of citizenship,ID,photos) at the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta or a designated consulate.
2. Biometric data Capture: Providing fingerprints and a digital photograph.
3. Security Checks: Undergoing thorough background and security checks.
4. Passport Printing & Issuance: The final stage, where the passport is printed with biometric data and security features. This is the stage currently experiencing the disruption.

Currently, the Embassy is prioritizing emergency cases, but even these are facing extended processing times. Regular applications are effectively on hold until the printer is repaired or replaced. The Swiss Federal Office for Migration (SEM) is aware of the situation and is working with the Jakarta embassy to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Potential Solutions and Mitigation Strategies

The Swiss Embassy is exploring several solutions to mitigate the impact of the printer malfunction:

Expedited Repair: Technicians are working to repair the existing printer, but the complexity of the equipment means this could take several days or even weeks.

Replacement Printer: The Embassy is requesting a replacement printer from Switzerland, but shipping and installation will add to the delay.

Temporary Processing at Other Embassies: Exploring the possibility of temporarily processing Indonesian passport applications at Swiss Embassies in neighboring countries (Singapore, Malaysia) – logistical challenges exist.

Emergency Travel Documents: Issuing limited-validity emergency travel documents for critical cases, tho these are not equivalent to a full passport.

What Indonesian Applicants Can Do Now

For Indonesians affected by the Swiss passport printing chaos, here are some actionable steps:

Contact the swiss Embassy: Reach out to the Embassy in Jakarta via phone or email to inquire about your application status. Be prepared for long wait times.

Prepare Supporting Documentation: Gather all relevant travel documents (flight tickets, hotel reservations, visa confirmations) to support any emergency travel document requests.

Monitor Embassy Updates: Regularly check the Swiss Embassy’s website and social media channels for updates on the situation.

Consider Travel Insurance: Review your travel insurance policy to see if it covers delays or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Explore Emergency Travel Options: If your travel is critical, inquire about the possibility of obtaining an emergency travel document, understanding its limitations.

Be Patient: The situation is beyond the control of applicants. Patience and understanding are crucial during this challenging time.

The Impact on Swiss-Indonesian relations

While the