Global Citizenship Indonesia is part of a bigger change in how Indonesia handles its global diaspora through immigration law. In this context, the Indonesia diaspora residence visa framework applies to people who were once Indonesian citizens but later became citizens of another country, as well as their children who were born and raised abroad and who form global networks that maintain historical and emotional ties to Indonesia.
The Indonesian diaspora community is getting bigger, and its social, economic, and professional power is also growing. When people from this diaspora want to return to Indonesia and live there, regular visit visas or work and stay permits are often not the best fit. Therefore, through Global Citizenship Indonesia, the Indonesia diaspora residence visa offers a dedicated long-term and permanent stay framework that better reflects the unique legal and historical connection to the country, provided that the correct immigration category is identified and applied.
Global Citizenship Indonesia as a Tool for Indonesia diaspora residence visa
From a legal point of view, the Global Citizenship Indonesia program is not meant to allow dual nationality. The principle of single citizenship remains in effect in Indonesia. However, through immigration law, the Indonesia diaspora residence visa allows former Indonesian citizens and their descendants to maintain a formal legal connection with Indonesia without restoring or changing their foreign citizenship status. This approach balances state sovereignty with the realities of long-term migration and global mobility.
Framework for Immigration Law for the Indonesian Diaspora residence Visa
Immigration implements the Indonesia diaspora residence visa through several specific visa and stay permit categories under Global Citizenship Indonesia. Moreover, each category reflects a different historical, familial, or legal link to Indonesia. Unlike work- or investment-based permits, this framework focuses primarily on lineage and historical ties.
For comparison you can also check our page explaining about standard work-based permits.
visa Types under Global Citizenship Indonesia
1. Index E32A – Former Citizen of Indonesia
This category applies to individuals who were previously Indonesian citizens and later acquired foreign nationality. Under the Indonesia diaspora residence visa, the permit allows residence in Indonesia for five years, subject to immigration compliance.
2. Index E32B – Children of Former Indonesian Citizens
Similarly,this category applies to individuals whose parent or grandparent was an Indonesian citizen. Depending on circumstances and documentation, the permitted stay period ranges from five to ten years.
3. Index E32E – Former Indonesian Citizen Residing Permanently in Indonesia
This category applies to former Indonesian citizens who wish to reside permanently in Indonesia. Approved applicants receive a permanent stay permit without a fixed expiration date.
4. Index E32G – Second-Degree Descendants of Former Indonesian Citizens
This category applies to second-degree descendants who intend to live permanently in Indonesia. Similar to Index E32E, it provides a permanent stay permit without a time limit.
5. Index E31B – Spouse of a Permanent Stay Permit Holder (Repatriation Purpose)
This category applies to spouses who join family members holding an unlimited stay permit for repatriation purposes. The spouse receives a permanent stay permit.
6. Index E31C – Child of an Indonesian Citizen
Finally, this category applies to children born from a lawful marriage where one parent is an Indonesian citizen, provided that the Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs or an Indonesian diplomatic mission officially recognizes the child. As a result, the child receives a permanent stay permit.
What the Indonesia diaspora residence visa Means for State–Diaspora Relations
As a policy instrument, the Indonesia diaspora residence visa, as implemented through Global Citizenship Indonesia, can strengthen Indonesia’s relationship with its global diaspora. As a result, long-term and permanent stay permits allow diaspora members to reunite with family, reconnect socially and culturally, and contribute informally to national development.
At the same time, Global Citizenship Indonesia reflects the government’s effort to balance immigration sovereignty with the realities of global mobility and diaspora dynamics. Indonesia provides a structured, residence-based legal pathway for former citizens and their descendants to return and settle.
Current Application Status of GCI
Indonesia’s Visa Online System already supports applications under Global Citizenship Indonesia, which forms the basis of the Indonesia diaspora residence visa framework.
At this stage, there are still no clear procedural regulations issued by the Directorate General of Immigration (DGI). Based on initial observations by our operational team, there may be an additional review step during the visa application process. However, this has not been formally confirmed by immigration officers.
Frequently Asked questions
No, the visa does not grant Indonesian citizenship, political rights, or an Indonesian passport. Indonesia continues to apply the principle of single citizenship. The visa only provides a lawful residence status under immigration law.
Validity depends on the visa category. Some visa types allow residence for five or ten years, while others provide a permanent stay permit with no fixed expiration date, subject to continued compliance with immigration rules.
Yes. Applications for the visa under Global Citizenship Indonesia are already supported in Indonesia’s Visa Online System. However, detailed procedural regulations have not yet been formally issued by the Directorate General of Immigration