The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Imipas) has officially introduced Indonesia’s first genuine permanent residence permit. This landmark policy creates a lifelong residency pathway specifically designed for individuals with strong historical, familial, or cultural ties to Indonesia.
On 19 November 2025, the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program places Indonesia alongside established diaspora-recognition frameworks such as India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI).
For decades, former Indonesian citizens (Ex-WNI), members of the Indonesian diaspora, and their descendants were required to navigate a fragmented system of temporary stay permits—often involving annual renewals, sponsorship obligations, and limited long-term certainty. Until now, Indonesia lacked a formal mechanism allowing eligible foreign nationals with Indonesian heritage to reside permanently without repeated applications or reliance on third-party sponsors.
With the launch of the GCI program, individuals of Indonesian lineage can, for the first time, obtain permanent, multi-entry residency in Indonesia. This initiative marks a significant and progressive step in strengthening Indonesia’s engagement with its global diaspora.
