Egypt Deports Several Indonesians Without Visa

Cairo, Nov 6 (Antara) - Egyptian authorities have deported several Indonesian nationals who arrived without a visa at the Cairo International Airport during the past month, according to an Indonesian embassy official here. "Tens of Indonesian nationals have been deported by Egyptian authorities because they arrived at the Cairo International Airport without a visa," Windratmo Suwarno, a spokesman of the Indonesian embassy in Cairo, stated here on Wednesday. He pointed out that the deported Indonesian nationals comprised prospective students, students, volunteers, and migrant workers. According to Indonesian Students Union in Egypt (PPMI) Chairman Agus Susanto, seven Indonesian students have been deported in the past month as they failed to present a visa. In the meantime, Windratmo deplored a misperception regarding Visa on Arrival (VoA) among some Indonesian nationals who arrived in Egypt without a visa. He remarked that VoA for Indonesian tourists at the Cairo airport should be approved in advance by the Egyptian Home Ministry. As of now, Indonesian tourists can get their visas either from the Egyptian Embassy in Jakarta or from Cairo airport upon arrival; however, the latter one should be approved by the Egyptian Home Ministry. Indonesian tourists, in general, usually have VoA, but it should be administered by the travel agents in Egypt at least two weeks before they arrive in Cairo. Windratmo explained that the Indonesian and Egyptian governments are still discussing about the free visa agreement for the holders of diplomatic and service passports for the two countries. He noted that the ordinary passport or green passport was not included in the talks pertaining to the free visa agreement between the two countries. Therefore, since early 2000, the Indonesian government has facilitated VoA for Egyptian tourists who are keen to visit Indonesia.