Jakarta. Indonesian travelers and students have growing opportunities to explore Europe, with European Union Ambassador Denis Chaibi highlighting a visa scheme that could grant eligible repeat visitors multiple-entry access for up to five years, alongside hundreds of scholarships available to Indonesian students.

Under the EU's visa cascade scheme, Indonesians who have previously obtained and properly used a Schengen visa may qualify for a longer multiple-entry visa when applying again, subject to meeting the required conditions.

“The principle is that once you've had one visa accepted to Europe, you've been to Europe and you've come back, then the second time you go to the same embassy asking for the Schengen visa, and you show that your financial resources and that your center of gravity is Indonesia, then you get a multiple entry for five years,” Chaibi said in an interview with Jakarta Globe.

The ambassador also encouraged more Indonesian students to consider studying in Europe, describing the continent as a “lifestyle superpower.”

According to Chaibi, roughly 4,000 to 5,000 new students travel to Europe each year, with approximately 1,000 receiving scholarships. Erasmus alone provides about 300 scholarships, while individual EU member states offer additional bilateral programs.

Chaibi said Indonesian students who experience studying in Europe often take advantage of the opportunity to explore different countries and cities across the continent.

“I've now met many Indonesian Erasmus students who tell me, ‘Oh yeah, I studied six months in Paris, six months in Rome, six months in Brussels, and six months in Lisbon,’” he said.

The EU believes there is still room to bring more students to European universities. Chaibi said around 10,000 people attend higher education fairs, suggesting interest exceeds the number who eventually leave to study in Europe.

“The cities in Europe are so nice to visit, to get used to,” Chaibi said. “So, we are very keen for more Indonesians to take advantage.”

He also pointed to the large Indonesian community in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, as an existing connection that could make the continent more familiar to Indonesian students and travelers.

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