Indonesia Introduces Global Citizens, Addressing Dual Citizenship Issues

RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, officially launched the Global Citizen of Indonesia (GCI) policy on Monday, 26 January 2026. The policy was inaugurated by the Directorate General of Immigration in conjunction with the 76th Immigration Service Day, held at the Immigration Polytechnic Campus in Tangerang, Banten.

According to an official statement released by the ministry on Tuesday, the GCI policy grants permanent residence permits with no time limit to foreign nationals who have blood ties, family relations, historical connections, or strong attachments to Indonesia, without requiring them to change their original citizenship. Eligible applicants include former Indonesian citizens, descendants of former citizens up to the second degree, legally married spouses of Indonesian citizens, as well as family members of GCI permit holders through family reunification mechanisms.

Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, described the GCI policy as a solution to dual citizenship issues while also opening opportunities for diaspora participation in national development.

“This policy addresses dual citizenship concerns while upholding Indonesia’s legal sovereignty on nationality. GCI also provides space for diaspora communities and individuals with close ties to Indonesia to contribute across various development sectors,” Yuldi said.

All GCI applications are submitted online through Indonesia’s electronic visa system (evisa.imigrasi.go.id), which is fully integrated with immigration border control systems, including autogates and manual inspection counters. Applicants intending to use autogate facilities must submit the All Indonesia Arrival Declaration before entering Indonesia.

Within 24 hours of arrival in Indonesia, GCI e-visa holders will automatically receive a Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) with no expiration period, without the need to visit an immigration office. For former Indonesian citizens and their descendants, the government requires applicants to meet minimum income criteria and provide immigration guarantees in the form of investment commitments or ownership of high-value property.

However, these requirements do not apply to applicants under the family reunification scheme, reflecting the government’s commitment to preserving cross-border family unity. Meanwhile, applicants with specialized expertise must submit an official invitation or a statement of urgency from the central government as a guarantor.

Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, affirmed that the GCI policy aligns with the government’s national agenda for 2026, particularly in advancing public service transformation and the use of digital technology.

“Through GCI, we are building an integrated digital ecosystem that prioritizes ease of access. This policy is expected to encourage meaningful contributions from the Indonesian diaspora to national development,” Agus stated.