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Andi Refandi
Andi serves as a Senior Account Executive on Emerhub’s global team.
Indonesia has introduced the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program, a huge step forward for everyone in the global Indonesian diaspora. Although you can apply for residency permits such as KITAS or standard KITAP, it requires constant renewal and a local sponsorship. With a GCI permit, you can strengthen your ties with the archipelago and maintain a stable, long-term legal presence in Indonesia.
So, what is Global Citizenship in Indonesia? This guide will walk you through this new, lifelong permanent residency status. We will cover its core benefits, requirements, and restrictions.
What is Indonesia’s Global Citizenship Program (GCI) Program?
Indonesia has strict laws regarding citizenship and nationality. If you’re born to one Indonesian and one foreign parent, you can hold dual citizenship until the age of 18. You must choose one nationality within 3 years or lose Indonesian citizenship by default. This has created a real problem for the Indonesian diaspora community.
The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) recently launched the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program in November 2025. This shift is designed to strengthen ties with the diaspora, welcome back those with Indonesian heritage, and attract investment.
One thing to clarify here is that despite its name, GCI does not grant citizenship. It is an Unlimited Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP Tanpa Batas Waktu) which is non-expiring residency status. It respects Indonesia’s sovereignty while giving you the most robust legal foundation possible to live, invest, and finally reconnect with your Indonesian heritage.
Key Features of GCI
The GCI is specifically designed to eliminate the long-term uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles associated with conventional stay permits. Its benefits focus heavily on stability, easy travel, and independence.
- Lifetime Stay: you will have Unlimited/Lifetime Stay Status in Indonesia. This means, you don’t need annual (for KITAS) or 5-year (for KITAP) renewals. This benefit also includes an Unlimited Multiple Entry Re-Entry Permit (MERP) but needs to be renewed every 5 years.
- Financial Freedom and Independence: Unlike standard KITAS or KITAP visas, GCI is self-sponsored. You can engage in non-contractual work activities (e.g., managing personal investments, remote work for foreign companies) and conduct long-term investments. You are also allowed to purchase property but under existing foreign ownership laws.
- Family Security: For diaspora families, GCI provides a secure, enduring legal base for multiple generations to reside together. This fosters cultural and familial reconnection without the looming threat of visa expiry or complex sponsorship changes.
- Easy Application Process: All applications are processed through the official eVisa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id). This system neatly combines several complex, separate processes into one all-in-one facility.
What are Restrictions and Limitations of GCI
The GCI offers unlimited residency, but it has its limits. Here are GCI restrictions you should be aware of before you apply:
- No Citizenship Rights: As a GCI holder, you remain a foreign national. You cannot vote in Indonesian elections, hold political office, or hold any official government positions reserved exclusively for Indonesian citizens.
- No Contractual Employment: You are explicitly restricted from being employed under an employment contract (Pekerja) or receiving wages/salary from an Indonesian-based company. However, you are free to manage your investments, work remotely for foreign companies, or engage in non-contractual activities.
- Limited Property Ownership: The GCI does not automatically grant you the right to full land ownership (Hak Milik). You must still adhere to existing foreign ownership regulations, which typically limit you to rights of use (Hak Pakai) or owning strata-title apartments.
GCI Requirements and Eligibility
The new GCI program is strictly reserved for foreign nationals who can demonstrate a genuine and verifiable blood, familial, or historical link to Indonesia. This special status is designed for Indonesian diaspora who want to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
Different Types of GCI Permits in Indonesia
There are different types of GCI permits depending on your status and eligibility. The DGI organizes GCI applications using a series of official regulatory codes depending on your status. These codes are crucial for bureaucratic tracking and are directly linked to the tiered financial commitments.
| Type | E32 Index | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Former Indonesian Citizens (Eks-WNI) | E32E/E32F | Individuals who previously held Indonesian citizenship but later chose to naturalize as citizens of another country. |
| First-Degree Descendants of Eks-WNI | E32G/E32H | Individuals who previously held Indonesian citizenship but later chose to naturalize as citizens of another country. |
| Second-Degree Descendants of Eks-WNI | The biological grandchildren of former Indonesian citizens. | |
| Mixed-Nationality Children | Individuals who held dual citizenship until they turned 18 and were subsequently required to choose a foreign nationality. |
E32F and E32H are categories reserved for Ex-WNI or descendants who possess exceptional skills, talents, or achievements and are invited to collaborate directly with the Government of Indonesia.
If you’re married, your spouse is eligible if they are also an Ex-WNI or a qualifying descendant. However, if they don’t have Indonesian lineage, they can still apply for residency through standard Family KITAP/KITAS.
Who Cannot Apply for GCI?
It is crucial to understand that even if you meet the lineage requirements, certain backgrounds will disqualify you right away. The GCI is explicitly not available to:
- Foreign nationals from countries or territories that were previously part of Indonesian territory.
- Individuals involved in separatist movements or political activities deemed contrary to Indonesia’s national interest.
- Active foreign military, intelligence, or civil service personnel.
Required Documents for GCI Application
GCI application is done through Indonesia’s eVisa portal. Before you begin your formal online submission, you must ensure you have all the necessary documents:
- Valid Passport: Must have a minimum validity of 6 months.
- Personal Documents: A recent passport-sized photograph and a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Proof of Affiliation: You need undeniable proof of your connection, such as an old Indonesian Passport or KTP (for Ex-WNI), Family Card (KK), Birth Certificate, and Marriage Certificate, all necessary to establish your lineal descent (up to the second degree).
- Proof of Financial Sufficiency: You must show evidence of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement proving a minimum balance (e.g., USD 2,000) or documentation proving annual income (e.g., minimum USD 15,000 for certain descendant categories).
If you’re looking for ways to relocate to Indonesia, Emerhub’s visa and relocation service can assist you from the initial phases of a KITAP/KITAS application. Whether for work, investment, or short-term social visits, our in-depth knowledge of immigration regulations can help you get started.
Tell us about your relocation plans to Indonesia! Fill out the form below for a free consultation with our local visa experts.
FAQs About Global Citizenship Program in Indonesia
No. Indonesia maintains a single citizenship principle for adults. The GCI is legally classified as an Unlimited Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP), which allows a foreign national to reside permanently without obtaining Indonesian citizenship.
GCI holders are explicitly restricted from engaging in contractual employment (receiving wages/salaries) from Indonesian entities. You can, however, engage in non-contractual work, such as managing personal assets, running a foreign business remotely, or investing.
The main permit is unlimited (lifetime). However, the associated Multiple Entry Re-Entry Permit (MERP), which allows free travel in and out of Indonesia, must be renewed periodically (e.g., every 5 years).
Yes, legal spouses of WNI are listed as eligible subjects. However, the requirements and investment commitment may be slightly different compared to applicants qualifying purely through lineage. You should verify your specific category (E32 index) with official sources.
GCI itself does not grant new property rights. Holders must still abide by existing Indonesian laws regarding foreign ownership of property, typically limited to rights of use (Hak Pakai) or strata-title apartments.
