Indonesia Unveils Global Citizenship Program for Diaspora, Offering Lifetime Residency

A New Path for the Indonesian Diaspora

Indonesia has officially launched the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to offer permanent residency to former citizens and individuals of Indonesian descent. The program, which began accepting applications recently, provides an unlimited stay permit as an alternative to dual citizenship, a status the country does not recognize for adults. This move marks a significant shift in Indonesia’s immigration policy, aiming to strengthen ties with its global diaspora and mitigate the effects of brain drain.

The GCI allows eligible foreign nationals to live and work in Indonesia indefinitely without the need for periodic visa renewals. By offering a stable, long-term legal status, the government hopes to encourage Indonesians living abroad to return, invest, and contribute to national development. The program is modelled after India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme, which has successfully granted lifelong visas to millions of people of Indian origin.

Immigration officials have emphasized that the GCI serves as a strategic solution to the complex issue of dual citizenship. While Indonesia maintains strict laws against holding two passports as an adult, this new pathway respects those laws while providing a meaningful way for the diaspora to maintain a connection to their homeland. The program is not just about residency; it represents an effort to harness the potential of millions of Indonesians spread across the globe.

Understanding the Global Citizenship of Indonesia

The Global Citizenship of Indonesia is officially classified as an Unlimited Permanent Stay Permit, known in Indonesian as KITAP Tanpa Batas Waktu. Despite its name, it is important to clarify that the GCI does not grant Indonesian citizenship. Holders retain their foreign nationality and passport. The status provides the right to reside in the country permanently, but it does not confer political rights such as voting or holding public office.

This permanent residency status is distinct from other visa categories like the Limited Stay Visa (ITAS) or the standard Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP). Unlike those permits, which are often tied to employment, investment, or marriage to an Indonesian citizen, the GCI is based primarily on heritage, blood ties, and historical connections to the archipelago. This focus on lineage makes it a unique offering within Indonesia’s immigration framework.

One of the key features of the GCI is its validity. The permit itself does not expire, eliminating the bureaucratic burden of renewing residency status every few years. Holders are also granted an unlimited Multiple Entry Re-Entry Permit (MERP), allowing them to travel freely in and out of Indonesia. While the MERP itself requires renewal every five years, the core residency status remains secure for a lifetime, providing unprecedented stability for foreign nationals with Indonesian roots.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The eligibility criteria for the GCI are specific, targeting individuals who can demonstrate a genuine familial or historical link to Indonesia. The program is strictly reserved for foreign nationals who fall into defined categories. The primary applicants include former Indonesian citizens who renounced or lost their nationality due to acquiring citizenship in another country.

Beyond former citizens, the program extends to the descendants of Indonesians. This includes children and grandchildren of former Indonesian citizens, covering up to the second degree of descent. This provision is particularly significant for families who have lived abroad for generations but still identify with their Indonesian heritage. Additionally, children resulting from a marriage between an Indonesian citizen and a foreigner are also eligible, addressing the complexities faced by mixed-nationality families.

The policy also makes provisions for spouses. Legal spouses of Indonesian citizens can apply for the GCI. Furthermore, spouses of former Indonesian citizens are eligible if they meet the necessary requirements. This inclusive approach aims to keep families together, allowing non-Indonesian spouses to benefit from the same long-term stability as their Indonesian partners or descendants.

However, the government has established clear exclusions to protect national interests. The GCI is not available to foreigners from countries or territories that were historically part of Indonesian territory. Individuals involved in separatist activities or any actions deemed contrary to Indonesia’s national interest are disqualified. Additionally, those who have served or are serving as civil servants, intelligence officers, or military personnel in foreign countries are not eligible to apply.

Application Process and Requirements

Applications for the Global Citizenship of Indonesia are processed through the official eVisa portal managed by the Directorate General of Immigration. This digital platform is intended to streamline the process, making it accessible to Indonesians living anywhere in the world. The system is designed as an all-in-one facility, handling the issuance of visas, conversion of permits, and the granting of re-entry permits.

Prospective applicants must prepare a specific set of documents to prove their eligibility. A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity is required. Applicants must also provide a recent passport-sized photograph and a Curriculum Vitae (CV). Crucially, proof of affiliation is necessary to establish the connection to Indonesia. This can include an old Indonesian passport or national identity card (KTP) for former citizens, or Family Cards (KK), Birth Certificates, and Marriage Certificates for descendants proving their lineage.

Financial sufficiency is another key requirement. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the means to support themselves while residing in Indonesia. This typically involves providing bank statements showing a minimum balance or documentation proving annual income. Specific financial thresholds vary depending on the applicant’s category, such as whether they are a former citizen or a second-generation descendant.

There is also a financial commitment involved in the application. Reports indicate that applicants must pay a government fee, approximately 34.8 million Indonesian rupiah. Furthermore, depending on the level of connection to the country, applicants may be required to make a financial commitment to Indonesia, such as holding bonds, shares, mutual funds, or deposits. For example, former citizens might be required to hold investments worth around $5,000, while second-generation descendants might face a higher threshold.

Comparing GCI to India’s Overseas Citizenship

The Indonesian government has openly acknowledged that the GCI draws inspiration from India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) program. Launched in 2006, the OCI scheme has been a successful tool for India to engage with its vast diaspora. It provides a lifelong multiple-entry visa to people of Indian origin, allowing them to visit, work, and live in India indefinitely.

India’s OCI cardholders enjoy rights similar to those of Indian citizens, with specific exceptions. They cannot vote in elections, hold constitutional offices, or purchase agricultural land. However, they can own residential property, open bank accounts, and access educational institutions. The program has issued over 4 million cards to date, creating a strong bridge between India and its global community.

While the GCI shares the same conceptual foundation, there are notable differences in the details. Critics and analysts have pointed out that the Indian model is often more generous regarding costs and specific rights. For instance, the OCI application fee is relatively modest compared to the fees and investment requirements associated with the GCI. Furthermore, the OCI card is embedded in India’s Citizenship Law, whereas Indonesia’s GCI exists within immigration regulations, which may affect its legal standing regarding property and business rights.

Despite these differences, the Indonesian government views the OCI as a benchmark. Officials have stated that they aim to refine the GCI over time, potentially improving services to match or even surpass the quality of the Indian scheme. This suggests that the current launch may be just the first step in an evolving policy landscape.

Benefits and Limitations for Holders

The GCI offers several compelling benefits for eligible individuals. The most obvious advantage is the security of lifetime residency. Holders can live in Indonesia without the fear of visa expiry or the need to find local sponsors, which is often a requirement for other types of stay permits like KITAS. This independence is a major draw for diaspora members who wish to return or spend extended periods in the country.

Another significant benefit is the right to work and do business. GCI holders are allowed to engage in economic activities without needing additional immigration work permits. This opens doors for professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to participate actively in the Indonesian economy. They can manage personal investments, conduct remote work for foreign companies, and establish business ventures.

However, the program comes with specific limitations that potential applicants must understand. As mentioned, GCI holders do not gain Indonesian citizenship and therefore cannot vote or run for office. There are also restrictions on employment. Holders are reportedly restricted from contractual employment where they receive a salary directly from an Indonesian company. They are instead encouraged to engage in non-contractual work, consultancy, or business activities.

Property ownership remains a complex area. Under Indonesian law, only citizens can hold the freehold title known as Hak Milik. The GCI does not alter this fundamental rule. Holders remain foreign nationals under property law and must adhere to existing regulations. This typically means they can only acquire leasehold rights known as Hak Pakai or own strata-title apartments. They cannot own freehold land, which has been a point of contention for some in the diaspora who hope to reclaim family land.

Mixed Reactions from the Diaspora Community

The announcement of the GCI has elicited a range of reactions from the Indonesian diaspora worldwide. For some, it is a welcome development that solves long-standing logistical problems. Setyana Mapasa, an Olympic badminton player who had to give up her Indonesian citizenship to play for Australia, expressed excitement about the scheme. She noted that the unlimited stay permit would remove the barriers she previously faced when visiting family or considering job offers in Indonesia.

Others have welcomed the policy as a symbolic gesture, acknowledging that it provides a form of recognition and a practical pathway for those who wish to return. The ability to live permanently in one’s ancestral homeland is a powerful draw for many who have built lives abroad but still feel a deep connection to Indonesia.

Conversely, there is a segment of the diaspora that views the program with skepticism. Some critics argue that the financial costs involved make it less accessible to average people. On social media, some Indonesians have described the fees and investment requirements as excessive, characterizing the program as a revenue grab by the state rather than a genuine gesture of welcome.

Advocates for mixed-marriage families and diaspora rights have also raised concerns. Nuning Hallett, a researcher and advocate, criticized the program for not going far enough. She argued that the GCI does not offer the same level of benefit as India’s OCI, particularly regarding cost and property rights. Hallett suggested that the policy focuses too much on generating revenue through bonds and deposits rather than facilitating genuine reconnection.

Economic Context and Brain Drain Strategy

The introduction of the GCI is deeply rooted in economic strategy. Indonesia, like many developing nations, faces the challenge of brain drain, where skilled professionals leave the country for better opportunities abroad. Data indicates that nearly 4,000 Indonesians became Singaporean citizens between 2019 and 2022 alone. This loss of talent impacts various sectors, from science and technology to the arts.

Government officials have framed the GCI as a way to turn this challenge into an opportunity. By offering a prestigious and convenient residency status, Indonesia hopes to attract skilled professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs back to the country. The goal is to encourage the diaspora to contribute their expertise to national development, whether by returning physically or by investing in Indonesian businesses from abroad.

The policy fits into a broader modernization of Indonesia’s immigration system. The government has been actively improving digital services and creating new visa categories to make the country more attractive to foreigners. The GCI complements existing options like the Investor Visa and the Second Home Visa, which target wealthy retirees and digital nomads. Together, these initiatives signal Indonesia’s ambition to become a more open and competitive destination for global talent.

However, analysts warn that the success of this strategy depends on the details. High costs and bureaucratic hurdles could deter the very professionals the government wants to attract. Furthermore, without addressing underlying structural issues in the economy or offering clearer property rights, the GCI may appeal primarily to wealthy individuals rather than the broad base of skilled workers that the country needs.

Looking Ahead: Implementation and Future Adjustments

The GCI program is currently in its early stages of implementation. While applications are technically being accepted, technical regulations and detailed implementing rules are still being finalized by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Directorate General of Immigration. This means that some procedures and rights are subject to change as the government clarifies how the program will function in daily practice.

Official sources indicate that the government is open to refining the scheme. Following feedback from the diaspora and observations of the program’s initial rollout, officials may adjust the financial requirements, clarify property rights, or streamline the application process. The government has expressed a commitment to ensuring that the GCI eventually matches or exceeds the quality of similar programs in other countries.

For potential applicants, the advice from legal experts is to stay informed and prepare documentation carefully. Because the regulations are evolving, consulting with immigration specialists or monitoring official government channels like the eVisa portal is crucial. As the system matures, the picture of what the GCI truly offers will become clearer.

The launch of the Global Citizenship of Indonesia represents a pivotal moment in the country’s relationship with its diaspora. It is a bold attempt to balance the strict principles of national sovereignty with the realities of a globalized world. Whether it will succeed in bringing significant numbers of Indonesians home remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly opens a new chapter in how the nation engages with its far-flung family.

Key Points

• Indonesia has launched the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI), offering lifetime residency to former citizens and those of Indonesian descent.
• The program is an alternative to dual citizenship, which is not recognized for adults under Indonesian law.
• Eligible applicants include former Indonesian citizens, their children and grandchildren, mixed-marriage children, and spouses of Indonesian citizens.
• Applicants must pay a government fee and may be required to hold financial investments in Indonesia.
• The GCI allows indefinite stay and work rights but does not grant Indonesian citizenship, voting rights, or the right to hold freehold property.
• The policy is modelled after India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme but includes stricter financial requirements.
• The government aims to use the program to counter brain drain and attract investment and skills from the diaspora.
• Reactions from the diaspora have been mixed, with some praising the stability it offers and others criticizing the costs.