Indonesia Launches “Global Citizenship” Permit for Former Citizens and Diaspora

Indonesia has launched a new program allowing former citizens and people of Indonesian descent to live and work in the country indefinitely without requiring dual citizenship. The initiative, called Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI), provides an unlimited stay permit for eligible applicants, offering an alternative for those who previously had to choose a single nationality at age 18 due to Indonesia’s laws prohibiting dual citizenship for adults.

The policy is designed for former Indonesian citizens, foreign nationals of Indonesian ancestry up to the second generation, and children from mixed marriages. Inspired by India’s Overseas Citizenship of India program, GCI aims to strengthen ties with the Indonesian diaspora and encourage their contributions to national development. Officials hope the program will address concerns over talent loss as Indonesians migrate abroad for better opportunities.

From 2019 to 2022, nearly 4,000 Indonesians acquired Singaporean citizenship, highlighting a trend of skilled migration from the country, which has a population of 280 million, making it the fourth most populous nation in the world. The immigration ministry emphasizes that the new policy transforms the challenge of brain drain into a strategic advantage, enabling Indonesian talent to return, invest, or contribute remotely while maintaining strong connections with their homeland.

This move is expected to facilitate economic growth, knowledge exchange, and cultural engagement by providing former citizens and their descendants a legal pathway to live, work, and actively participate in Indonesia’s development.