Indonesia Allows Unlimited Stay Permit for Former Citizens: Key Update
JAKARTA — In a significant policy shift, Indonesia has introduced a new residency permit that enables former citizens and individuals of Indonesian descent to live and work in the country indefinitely. The initiative, termed Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI), offers a practical alternative to dual citizenship, which Indonesian law currently does not permit for adults.
Under existing regulations, Indonesian citizens who hold another nationality must choose one passport upon turning 18. The GCI program aims to soften the impact of this rule by providing a permanent residency-like status to those with strong familial or historical ties to the archipelago.
Is Edy Eko Putranto, the immigration ministry’s director of residence permits, explained that the GCI is modeled after India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme. “GCI is a strategic solution to the issues of dual citizenship by giving an unlimited stay permit for foreign nationals with strong ties to Indonesia,” he stated on Saturday.
The program is open to former Indonesian citizens, foreign nationals with Indonesian ancestry up to the second degree, and children from mixed marriages. By offering a pathway for the diaspora to return or contribute remotely, the government hopes to mitigate the effects of “brain drain”—a growing concern as skilled Indonesians increasingly seek opportunities abroad.
Official data from the Directorate General of Immigration shows that nearly 4,000 Indonesians acquired Singaporean citizenship between 2019 and 2022. With a population of 280 million, Indonesia ranks as the world’s fourth most populous country, yet the outflow of talent remains a pressing issue.
“The ministry essentially responds to the ‘brain drain’ phenomenon by turning it into a strategic opportunity,” Putranto emphasized. “We are facilitating a special right for the diaspora so that Indonesian talents can return or contribute remotely.”
The move has been welcomed by many in the Indonesian community abroad, particularly those who had been calling for greater flexibility in citizenship and residency policies. It also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen national development by re-engaging the global Indonesian diaspora.
Applications for the GCI permit are now open through the immigration ministry’s channels. The program represents not only an administrative change but also a symbolic outreach to Indonesians worldwide, affirming their valued role in the nation’s future.
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