Arriving in Iran means I’m one step closer to cycling into Europe. However, I hadn’t gotten a visa to enter the Euro Zone yet. As planned, we immediately wanted to finalize the EU visa after arriving in Tehran, the capital of Iran.
While still in Jakarta, we actually submitted the complete administrative requirements for applying for a visa to enter the Schengen Area countries with the intention of doing the interview and other final steps in the country nearest to Europe.
Why did we choose to do it this way? Because Schengen Area visas are valid from the date they are issued. The validity period also varies. Sometimes it’s 14 days, a month, or even longer.
There are also those people who get a visa that is valid for two years after an extension. For example, in 2022, I got a Schengen Area visa that was valid for two years. That’s why we planned to finalize the European entry visa while either in Iran or Turkey.
So, as soon as we arrived in Tehran on Sunday, 5 November, we took the opportunity to visit the French Embassy. We had the opportunity to meet with the embassy staff to convey the plan. In Iran, holidays are on Friday and Saturday.
They said that for visa matters, you have to go through a third party, namely VFS Global. This institution is mandated to handle EU visa applications in all countries, including Indonesia.
Waiting for the interview
The embassy official then informed us of the location of the VFS Global office in Tehran. We immediately headed to the company’s office. It was about two hours from the French Embassy.
It turned out that there was quite a crowd of many applicants at the VFS Global office. They already formed quite a long queue. Seeing this condition, the staff immediately asked the purpose of our visit.
I explained that we wanted to arrange our entry visa for the European Union. We weren’t starting from scratch, because all the requirements had been submitted in Jakarta. In Tehran, we just wanted to complete the process. Just print out the visa.
However, the VFS Global officer said that we must first have an appointment letter, acknowledged by the French Embassy, confirming the date and time for the interview. Up to that point, we had not received that letter.
In my heart, I thought it would be a hassle to arrange this European Union visa. We then conveyed this matter to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Tehran. We asked for their help to resolve the visa issue quickly.
Finally, we got help from Mr. Audi at the Indonesian Embassy who provided a letter to the French Embassy in Tehran asking for support in processing our visas to Europe.
This step apparently received a good response from the French Embassy. On 12 November around 14:20 local time, we received an email from VFS Global that included an appointment letter. In the letter, we received the news that the visa interview would be held on 19 November in the morning.
A bit of a dilemma
This interview appointment was on the one hand happy news. However, on the other hand, it created a dilemma, because our Iranian visas were going to expire on 22 November. Even after the interview, it was not certain that we would get a EU visa immediately. Usually it’s a few days’ wait.
If we applied for an extension of our Iranian visas, that might also not be issued immediately. Instead of extending it, we decided we would be better off arranging the EU visa in Türkiye. That would be ideal. And more realistic.
I immediately contacted the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara via the Police Attaché to inform them of our situation and ask for their help. They invited us to come to Türkiye. They promised to try. That’s why we decided to complete our European visa matters there.
However, on 13 November, we visited the VFS Global office in Tehran again. The aim was to ask for the interview time to be moved forward one or two days from 19 November. The reason was that the deadline for our Iranian visa was ending soon.
However, our request was rejected. According to them, all the times were already scheduled for other applicants. Thus, the existing schedule could not be changed.
Subways
Another option was to reapply with an interview time in Türkiye. VFS Global in Tehran did not object. According to them, if on the specified date, namely 19 November, the applicant is unable to attend, then the applicant would automatically be disqualified or cancelled.
I conveyed the change of interview location so that VFS Global would be informed. If we didn’t tell them, it would give the impression that we had disappeared, which would have risked getting us on a EU visa blacklist. That would have been a real hassle for us.
While in Tehran, we always got around by trains, which, interestingly, all operated underground. The subway system has been developing for a long time so it is connected to many lines.
I counted six routes from north to south and east to west. Passenger occupancy was quite high and the waiting time was not too long. It took no more than two minutes for the next train to arrive. The fare was cheap, because it is subsidized by the government. The problem is that there are still hawkers on the train. They are not many, but they still disturb the comfort of passengers.
Invitation from the Ambassador
On 11 November, the Indonesian Ambassador to Iran, His Excellency Mr. Ronny Prasetyo Yuliantoro, extended an invitation to us to have lunch at the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran on 13 November.
Of course, we accepted. So, at the agreed time, we went to the Indonesian Embassy for lunch. It turns out the menu was typical Indonesian. We had oxtail soup, grilled chicken and fried chili sauce. Incredibly delicious.
I miss Indonesian food so much, especially all the soups, that I was not shy about taking second helpings. Understandable since I rarely had had soup-based dishes except in Nepal and China.
Ambassador Ronny expressed appreciation for my arrival in Tehran by bicycle. So far, no Indonesian has pedaled a bicycle from Jakarta to Iran. I am the first Indonesian.
He hopes that in the future, more Indonesians will visit Iran. This country is quite developed, and deserves to be a tourist destination. There are many unique tourist spots.
Hopefully the visa matters for entering the European Union will be completed while we are in Türkiye. We ask for prayers from friends and companions everywhere.
translated by Mark Winkel
editor: Jannes Eudes Wawa
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