Indonesia has unveiled a long-awaited permanent residency scheme aimed at strengthening ties with its diaspora and attracting global talent, but analysts warn that lingering restrictions could still deter the very people Jakarta hopes to bring home.
The Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) programme, announced on November 19, is widely seen by observers as Jakarta’s attempt to resolve a decades-old dilemma over dual citizenship – an option the government has repeatedly considered but ultimately shelved due to legal and political sensitivities.
Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto framed the new policy as “a solution to the issue of dual citizenship”.
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“GCI is a solution that addresses the dual citizenship controversy by granting broad residency rights to foreign nationals who have strong ties to Indonesia without changing their foreign citizenship status and without violating state regulations,” he said in a statement.
According to Agus, the GCI is modelled after the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme, which was launched in 2006 and provides permanent residency to individuals of Indian origin and their spouses, allowing them to work and live in India indefinitely.
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India has issued more than 5 million OCI cards as of May, according to its Ministry of Home Affairs.