Indonesia’s government has proposed introducing a limited form of dual citizenship.
Under the plan, eligibility would not be open to the general public but restricted to selected members of the Indonesian diaspora and foreign experts whose skills or achievements are considered strategically important to the country. The proposal is part of a draft revision to the Citizenship Law.
Justice Minister Supratman Andi Agtas cited several examples of potential recipients, including specialists in nuclear technology, chemistry and medicine, as well as athletes who could strengthen Indonesia’s national teams. Individuals would not be able to apply for dual citizenship on their own. Instead, candidates would have to be nominated by a relevant ministry or another government institution.
The proposal is still at the draft stage. The government has submitted the bill to the president, after which it is expected to be forwarded to the House of Representatives for debate. No timeline has been announced for its approval, and the eligibility criteria have yet to be defined.
Indonesia currently does not allow dual citizenship for adults. The only exception applies to certain children born into mixed-nationality families, who must choose one citizenship between the ages of 18 and 21. The revised law proposes extending that deadline to the age of 26.
The initiative is separate from the recently launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia programme. Despite its name, the programme does not grant an Indonesian passport. Instead, it allows former Indonesian citizens, their descendants, and certain members of mixed-nationality families to live and work in Indonesia indefinitely.
The proposal is expected to face parliamentary debate. Lawmaker Rieke Diah Pitaloka has previously warned that terms such as “exceptional contribution” and “the state’s strategic interests” are too broadly defined. In her view, the law should establish clear and transparent criteria to ensure that decisions on granting citizenship are not influenced by political interests.
Sources: Antara News
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