Indonesian citizenship

Indonesia is an economically developed country with a favorable climate for life. Today, many foreigners are actively interested in how to obtain Indonesian citizenship, taking into account changes in the country's migration legislation from 2024, and what requirements are imposed on immigrants.

Foreigners who are married to a citizen of the country, pensioners, persons who have lived on its territory for at least 5 years and are active as entrepreneurs, employees, investing in the Indonesian economy, purchasing real estate in the country and having special merits for their contribution to the development of the Indonesian nation can obtain an Indonesian passport.

Attention

Foreigners intending to obtain an Indonesian passport should be prepared to give up any other one, since the laws of the country do not allow dual citizenship. An alternative is to issue a KITAS/KITAP permanent resident card (analogues of RVPs and residence permits), which make it possible to live in the country for many years, subject to regular renewal.  

Ways to obtain citizenship

There are different ways to become an Indonesian citizen. Depending on the chosen method, administrative procedures, the package of necessary documents and the amount of state duty (fee) will differ. These issues are regulated by Government Decree No. 21 of 2022 on citizenship.

By right of birth

A child born to Indonesian citizens in the country and abroad automatically acquires the status of a citizen of the country. If an Indonesian is one of the parents, a child under the age of 18 has dual citizenship, after which up to the age of 21 is obliged to choose one of them. The same rule applies to adopted minor children.

Through marriage

A foreigner who has married an Indonesian citizen can apply for Indonesian citizenship after 5 years of living together. Before that, he can reside in the country on the basis of a temporary permit (KITAS). When applying for citizenship, you need to confirm income, language skills, and provide a copy of the marriage certificate and family book. The fee is $100.

As a result of naturalization

Adult foreigners (over 18 years old) They can acquire citizenship only as a result of naturalization – living in the country for 5 (non-departure) or 10 years (with periodic trips), as well as adapting to the local culture and language. At the same time, they lose their original citizenship and take the oath of allegiance to Indonesia in front of the president.

Attention

On the official website of the government, you can get acquainted with the amount of administrative fees in Indonesia for granting a visa, permission and extension of temporary residence, registration of citizenship, passport and other documents.  

Advantages of Indonesian citizenship

Despite the fairly free visa regime, Indonesia restricts the opportunities of foreign citizens in terms of employment, purchasing real estate, and receiving social benefits. The presence of an Indonesian passport significantly expands the possibilities.

• Visa-free trips to 102 countries of the world. Including the opportunity to travel freely in Japan for 15 days.
• You can work and create a business on any of the 17,000 Indonesian islands, each of which has unique living and working conditions.
• Economic relations with the leading countries of the world economy: China, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines.   
• The unrestricted right to work provides an opportunity for professional development and career growth. 
• You can take advantage of Indonesia's social programs: medical care, education, pensions.
• Free participation in socio-political life, voting in local elections.

The diversity of living conditions in Indonesia is also attractive to foreigners. Many entrepreneurs prefer the urban rhythms of Jakarta, lovers of sea holidays choose Bali, those who want privacy and peace choose accommodation in Sumatra and other calm islands.

Dual citizenship

Indonesian law does not allow dual citizenship. A foreigner intending to become a citizen of a country must officially renounce the passport of another state. The only exception to the rule is limited dual citizenship for children under the age of 21 born in mixed marriages or from Indonesian parents in a country where other citizenship is automatically assigned upon birth.

Parents of a child who wish to apply for dual citizenship apply to the local Indonesian immigration office at their place of residence, and apply to the country's Embassy abroad. If the decision is positive, the child is issued a certificate, on the basis of which an affidavit is issued in Indonesia – a document that allows him to freely cross the border of Indonesia and enjoy all the advantages of a citizen of the country.

Between the ages of 18 and 21, a young person must unequivocally choose a future citizenship. If he chooses Indonesian, he needs to apply to the Immigration Department and give up the passport of another country. If such an application is not received, the person automatically loses Indonesian citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment Program

In Indonesia, it is impossible to directly acquire citizenship by investing in the country's economy, but there is an opportunity in exchange for them to get two types of long-term residence.

• Temporary Residence Permit (ITAS). It is issued for 2 years with the possibility of extension up to three times and conversion to ITAP.
• Residence Permit (ITAP). It is provided for 5-10 years after 3 years of residence. After five years of residence in the country, you can apply for it indefinitely.

Ways to obtain a temporary residence permit in Indonesia:

• Investor's ITAS. Investments can be accompanied by the opening of a company without its organization. E28B – to obtain a permit for 5 years, you need to establish a company with a capital of at least $2,500,000, for 10 years – $5,000,000. E28C – without establishing a company, an investor must purchase government bonds, shares of Indonesian companies or mutual funds in the amount of $350,000 to $700,000 (ITAS for 5 and 10 years, respectively).  
• "Second home" (E33 visa). It is necessary to purchase a house or apartment in the country worth at least $1,000,000 or provide a written purchase guarantee within 90 days. The second option is to deposit at least $130,000 into an account with the state bank of Indonesia.
• "Golden Visa" (E28D). A foreigner receives the right of multiple entry, investment, employment and business activities for 5 or 10 years. Condition: opening a company with investments of $2.5-5 million or investing in stocks, bonds. The holder of such a visa does not have to apply for ITAS, after five (ten) years of residence, you can apply for citizenship.

According to the Indonesian Citizenship Law, foreigners can apply for it if they have lived in the country permanently on the basis of ITAS/ITAP for 5 years, or with periodic departures for 10 years. The status of a foreigner permanently residing in Indonesia is issued by applying for a visa of the appropriate type on the website of the Indonesian Directorate of Immigration.

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

In 2024, changes were made to the migration legislation, including those affecting the procedure for acquiring citizenship. Thus, long-term multiple-entry visas of type D1 have appeared, allowing you to enter the country for tourist purposes or business purposes (without working) for a period of 5 years. Thus, not only wealthy foreigners who invest in the economy or buy expensive real estate can become citizens of Indonesia.

Important

Since 2024, all visas, including long-term ones for 5 and 10 years, are issued exclusively through the website of the Directorate of Immigration. Applications for visa extension, issuance of another type of document, extension and ITAS/ITAP conversion are also submitted electronically.   

Step-by-step process

The procedure for obtaining Indonesian citizenship involves going through several stages.

Attention

In addition to knowledge of the language and history of Indonesia, the applicant must confirm the absence of criminal records, the availability of funds sufficient to live in the country, and legal income. The refusal of the previous passport is mandatory.

Collecting documents and submitting an application

A foreigner wishing to obtain Indonesian citizenship must prepare for the procedure, which includes several stages. Collection of documents confirming the right to apply: on the period of residence in the country, on the grounds of naturalization (marriage, investment, purchase of real estate), proof of income. If necessary, the documents must be translated into Indonesian and notarized.

An application for citizenship is submitted to the President of the country through the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. The letter must be submitted to the Head of the regional department of the Ministry of Justice in the area of residence of the foreigner. The application is submitted in Indonesian and must contain personal information (full name, residential address, citizenship).

List of documents

The list may vary depending on which basis is used to obtain citizenship. In general, it includes the following names:

• A copy of the birth certificate.
• Passport (identity card).
• The applicant's marriage certificate.
• Information about the place of residence.
• An extract from the immigration service.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Application for renunciation of another citizenship.
• Written assurance of loyalty to Indonesia.
• Color photos with a size of 4*6 cm.

Additional information

Before applying for Indonesian citizenship, you need to give up your previous residency. The procedure is performed through the Embassy, where you need to submit a package of documents. The duration is about 6 months. 

Consideration and decision

Applying for naturalization or citizenship in Indonesia includes non-tax State Income (PNBP) fees. The application will not be considered without a payment receipt. The amount of the fee in Indonesian rupiah depends on the basis of naturalization:

• for children from mixed marriages or children born in the country of Ius Soli, but who did not receive Indonesian citizenship – 5,000,000 IDR.
• based on the application of a foreigner – 50,000,000 IDR.
• on the basis of marriage – 15,000,000 IDR.
• for a foreigner with exceptional merits – 2,500,000 IDR.

The time frame for considering an application for citizenship may take 6-12 months, depending on the complexity of the package of documents submitted.

Disadvantages of citizenship

An important aspect of obtaining Indonesian citizenship is the need to give up your previous passport. This loss is compensated by the possibility of visa-free travel to more than 100 countries of the world using an Indonesian passport. Quite high requirements are imposed on the amount of investments required to obtain a residence permit with subsequent naturalization.

There are a small number of Europeans living in Indonesia, including people of mixed European-Indonesian descent. Communication with the local population is hampered by a large number of ethnic groups and languages. A complicating factor in life can be called a specific climate with a 4-month tropical rainy season.