Global Citizenship Indonesia (GCI) and ways to regain Indonesian citizenship.

[grandee7]

I was an Indonesian citizen and I acquired a foreign citizenship after marriage. I never renounced Indonesian citizenship. My Indonesian passport has expired after several years. I am interested in renouncing my foreign citizenship and regaining Indonesian citizenship. What steps are required to regain Indonesian citizenship?

I heard about the Global Citizenship Indonesia (GCI) unlimited stay permit. Is this the best way to regain Indonesian citizenship?

https://www.letsmoveindonesia.com/g...-price-eligibility-benefits-and-requirements/

 

[marcus]

... I am interested in ... regaining Indonesian citizenship. What steps are required to regain Indonesian citizenship?

I guess the main requirements is to have resided in Indonesia for at least 5 uninterrupted years or 10 years interrupted + to hold a KITAP . Better you see all details at https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/how-to-obtain-indonesian-citizenship.4104/

I heard about the Global Citizenship Indonesia (GCI) unlimited stay permit. Is this the best way to regain Indonesian citizenship?

No . Those options are for the ex-Indonesians who want to continue being foreigners .

I don't know if there is a specific rule for ex-Indonesians to regain the Indonesian citizenship .

If the rule is the same for any foreigner , I would choose a 2 years E32C Ex-Indonesian Visa/KITAS sponsored by an Indonesian relative (father , mother , or maybe brother , sister , uncle , aunt) or a 1 year E32 Ex-Indonesian Visa/KITAS , then convert it to a 5 years KITAP (check if a KITAP is still necessary) to request the Indonesian citizenship .


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From https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/web/visa-selection
A) Ex-Indonesian E32C Visa (+ KITAS + Re-Entry Permit)
Stay : 2 Year (#) , Cost Rp8,500,000
(#) Poster's Note : not stated but I think it is extendable)
Requirement :
1. Proof of living expenses of at least US$ 2,000 or equivalent.
2. Proof of guarantee from the guarantor (an Indonesian relative)
.....
B) Ex-Indonesian E32D Visa (+ KITAS + Re-Entry Permit)
Stay : Up to 1 Year (extendable) , Cost : Rp6,000,000
Requirement :
1. A statement of commitment to purchase Indonesian government bonds, shares in publicly listed companies in Indonesia, mutual funds in publicly listed companies in Indonesia, or to deposit funds in the form of a deposit at a state-owned bank in an amount of at least US$10,000, which must be fulfilled within a maximum period of 90 days from the date of issuance of the KITAS.
.....

 

[jstar]

There is a so called PP (Government Regulation) that tells you about the procedures for acquiring, losing, canceling, and regaining Indonesian citizenship. Look for PP number 21 of 2022, that one amends the PP number 2 of 2007.

But the issue here is more that the Indonesian government doesn’t seem aware you got a foreign citizenship. I wonder what would happen if you just applied for a new passport.

 

[grandee7]

There is a so called PP (Government Regulation) that tells you about the procedures for acquiring, losing, canceling, and regaining Indonesian citizenship. Look for PP number 21 of 2022, that one amends the PP number 2 of 2007.

But the issue here is more that the Indonesian government doesn’t seem aware you got a foreign citizenship. I wonder what would happen if you just applied for a new passport.

I suppose part of the motivation behind my question is that I am concerned that if the Indonesian government did find out that I took another nations citizenship, then they would strip me of Indonesian citizenship. I would rather have a plan B or a way to prepare for regaining my Indonesian citizenship in such a scenario.

I did read about how Indonesian citizenship is lost. I understand that I would have to actually renounce Indonesian citizenship. The president of Indonesia must approve said renunciation. But again, this all sounds like it's all over the place and the law says one thing but it's still confusing.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I did read about how Indonesian citizenship is lost. I understand that I would have to actually renounce Indonesian citizenship. The president of Indonesia must approve said renunciation.

I don't think this is true at all. If you have a foreign citizenship than legally speaking your Indonesian citizenship no longer exists. The act of taking the foreign citizenship nullifies the Indonesian one.
Same as if a double passport child gets to 21 and keeps the foreign passport then the Indonesian citizenship will just stop being valid. There is no renunciation or approval involved.

However in your case since they don't know about your foreign citizenship you could probably just get the Indonesian passport and let the foreign one lapse.
It seems some people manage to maintain two but it wouldn't take much for the authorities to find out, especially if you travel a lot.

 

[marcus]

... I understand that I would have to actually renounce Indonesian citizenship. The president of Indonesia must approve said renunciation ...

Many of us foreigners living in Indonesia clearly know that Indonesia only allows dual citizenship for very specific children and only up to the age of 21 .

Besides that , the Law is very clear (see below) . I already checked the entire Chapter IV and there is no Article stating that the Indonesian President must approve .


Indonesian Law no.12 Year 2006 - free translation
CHAPTER IV - LOSS OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA's CITIZENSHIP
Article 23
An Indonesian citizen loses his or her citizenship if he or she:
a. acquires another citizenship by his or her own free will;
.....
h. holds a passport or equivalent document from a foreign country or a document that can be interpreted as proof of valid citizenship from another country in his or her name; or ...

 

[mas_dam]

However in your case since they don't know about your foreign citizenship you could probably just get the Indonesian passport and let the foreign one lapse.

But the issue here is more that the Indonesian government doesn’t seem aware you got a foreign citizenship. I wonder what would happen if you just applied for a new passport.

This could only be played "silently" if grandee7 was currently in Indonesia.

From the scenario it seems that grandee7 is currently residing outside of Indonesia. If s/he goes to the Indonesian embassy abroad and applies for a new passport, they will immediately know the dual-nationality situation if the expired Indonesian passport doesn't show valid visa/residence permits for the residency abroad. I would be very careful with this, as their reaction might be not very happy if they feel that the passport application was dishonest/fraudulent.