Indonesia has launched a new Global Citizenship visa programme offering lifetime residency to foreign nationals with blood or family ties to the country, as the government seeks to address a growing outflow of skilled citizens.
The Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) scheme was officially rolled out on January 26. It allows former Indonesian citizens, their children and grandchildren, and foreign spouses of Indonesian nationals to apply for long-term residency without changing their citizenship, as Indonesia continues to recognise only single nationality.
“The hope is that the Indonesian diaspora … can contribute to [the country]'s development,” Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto said while announcing the programme, Nikkei Asia reported. He added that the scheme aims to provide a solution for those who wish to live in Indonesia for long periods but hold foreign passports.
Who is eligible and what it costs
According to the immigration ministry, applicants must show proof of an annual income of at least $15,000 or a monthly income of $1,500, along with an immigration guarantee. Government-recruited experts can submit an official invitation or urgent notice instead of a financial guarantee.
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As per the Nikkei Asia report, other applicants must commit to investing at least $5,000 in Indonesian bonds, stocks, mutual funds or bank deposits, or meet a property ownership threshold of $1 million.
Foreign nationals are not allowed to buy land or houses in Indonesia, though apartments can be owned under leasehold agreements. Officials did not clarify whether the new scheme alters existing property rules.
Application fees for the visa start at 34.8 million rupiah, or about $2,078.
Limited response so far
Andrianto said only seven people have applied for the GCI visa so far, including some Australian passport holders. “We’ll refine the process … to avoid future problems,” he said, as quoted by Nikkei Asia.
The immigration ministry had first disclosed details of the programme in November. Officials cited India’s Overseas Citizen of India scheme as an inspiration, though India allows limited land ownership under its programme.
The Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) scheme was officially rolled out on January 26. It allows former Indonesian citizens, their children and grandchildren, and foreign spouses of Indonesian nationals to apply for long-term residency without changing their citizenship, as Indonesia continues to recognise only single nationality.
“The hope is that the Indonesian diaspora … can contribute to [the country]'s development,” Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto said while announcing the programme, Nikkei Asia reported. He added that the scheme aims to provide a solution for those who wish to live in Indonesia for long periods but hold foreign passports.
Who is eligible and what it costs
According to the immigration ministry, applicants must show proof of an annual income of at least $15,000 or a monthly income of $1,500, along with an immigration guarantee. Government-recruited experts can submit an official invitation or urgent notice instead of a financial guarantee.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
As per the Nikkei Asia report, other applicants must commit to investing at least $5,000 in Indonesian bonds, stocks, mutual funds or bank deposits, or meet a property ownership threshold of $1 million.
Foreign nationals are not allowed to buy land or houses in Indonesia, though apartments can be owned under leasehold agreements. Officials did not clarify whether the new scheme alters existing property rules.
Application fees for the visa start at 34.8 million rupiah, or about $2,078.
Limited response so far
Andrianto said only seven people have applied for the GCI visa so far, including some Australian passport holders. “We’ll refine the process … to avoid future problems,” he said, as quoted by Nikkei Asia.The immigration ministry had first disclosed details of the programme in November. Officials cited India’s Overseas Citizen of India scheme as an inspiration, though India allows limited land ownership under its programme.
