Indonesia gives unlimited stay permit for former citizens in lieu of dual citizenship

Indonesia gives unlimited stay permit for former citizens in lieu of dual citizenship
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Indonesia has opened applications for a permit that would allow former Indonesian citizens to reside and work in the country for an indefinite period as an alternative to dual citizenship, Arab News reported.

Indonesian law does not recognize dual citizenship for adults, and anyone with two passports must make a choice of nationality when they turn 18.

The new policy, named Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI), is modelled after the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which allows foreigners of Indian ancestry to visit, work and live in India indefinitely, the ministry said.

Calls to allow dual citizenship have increased amid concerns about a ‘brain drain’ as Indonesians leave the country for better opportunities abroad.

Nearly 4,000 Indonesians became Singaporean citizens from 2019 to 2022, according to data from the Directorate General of Immigration. Indonesia’s population is 280 million people, making it the fourth most populous country in the world.

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, with approximately 245 to 280 million Muslims, making up about 87% of its total population.