Setyana Mapasa, an Olympic badminton player, faced a significant life change when she relinquished her Indonesian citizenship to represent Australia. Since moving to Sydney in 2013, Mapasa has managed to visit her family in Indonesia, albeit with restrictions on her stay. The recent announcement of Indonesia’s new visa scheme, allowing foreign nationals with strong ties to the country to live and work there indefinitely, has sparked excitement for Mapasa and many others.
Indonesia’s Minister of Immigration, Agus Andrianto, described the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) as an “innovative solution to the issue of dual citizenship.” The scheme aims to enable individuals like Mapasa to explore career opportunities in Indonesia while maintaining a connection to their homeland. “Indonesia will always be home,” Mapasa expressed, reflecting the sentiment of many in the diaspora.
Understanding the New Visa Scheme
Indonesia’s GCI is modeled after India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) visa, which grants similar rights to citizens, excluding voting and agricultural land ownership. However, details on the GCI are still emerging. Abdullah Rasyid from the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration stated that the current regulations do not address land and property ownership rights. “So far, GCI has only offered an unlimited permanent stay permit,” he noted.
“Applicants for the new Indonesian visa must pay 34.8 million rupiah ($3,200) and make a financial commitment to Indonesia,” Rasyid explained. “This commitment varies based on their connection to the country.”
The financial requirements are structured to reflect the applicant’s generational ties to Indonesia, with former citizens needing to invest $5,000, first-generation descendants $10,000, and second-generation descendants $25,000. This financial commitment is part of a “mutual contribution framework,” according to Rasyid.
Mixed Reactions from the Diaspora
The introduction of the GCI has been met with a spectrum of reactions from the Indonesian diaspora. While some see it as a step forward, others argue it offers little beyond existing permits. On social media, critics have labeled it a “government revenue grab,” questioning the high costs involved.
In Germany, Tuti Poeppelmeyer expressed cautious optimism. Living in Bremen with her German husband and daughter, Poeppelmeyer hopes the GCI will allow Indonesians overseas to own property in Indonesia. “The only reason I’ve kept my Indonesian passport is because of property and inheritance,” she admitted.
“Under Indonesian law, a non-citizen who inherits land must sell it within a year, or ownership rights change to usage rights,” Poeppelmeyer explained.
Expert Criticism and Legal Challenges
Dr. Nuning Hallett, a former adjunct professor now advocating for citizenship rights, criticized the GCI as an inadequate solution to dual citizenship issues. “There’s no real benefit offered by GCI,” she argued, pointing out the investment requirements as a clear revenue-oriented move.
“In a parliamentary hearing, the government said our remittances only make up 1 percent of GDP. There’s untapped potential, but this is not the way to do it,” Dr. Hallett stated.
Dr. Hallett emphasized that the GCI’s legal standing is weaker than India’s OCI, as it exists only within immigration regulations, lacking the backing of citizenship law. “How could a ministerial regulation set or even change a law that has greater legal authority?” she questioned.
Looking Forward
The Indonesian government plans to refine the GCI scheme, set to launch on January 26. The diaspora community, including Mapasa, eagerly awaits further details. Mapasa, who has received offers to coach badminton in Indonesia, hopes the new visa will remove previous barriers, such as the time limit on her stay.
“I even overstayed once by 13 days because I forgot to renew my visa,” Mapasa recalled. “I still feel [Indonesia] is home.”
As the government continues to develop the GCI, the Indonesian diaspora remains divided, with many advocating for more comprehensive changes to citizenship laws. The coming months will be crucial in determining the scheme’s impact and its reception among Indonesians worldwide.
