New global citizenship status struggles to win over overseas Indonesians seeking real incentives
Indonesia wants its diaspora closer, but emotional ties alone are no longer enough. The newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia scheme aims to reconnect millions abroad, yet early reactions suggest it may not address the underlying reasons people leave and stay away.
A Symbolic Bridge With Limited Appeal
Officially launched in Jakarta on Jan 26, the Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) scheme is designed as a middle ground between single citizenship and long-debated dual nationality. It offers lifetime residency, unlimited stays, and multiple re-entry permits for former Indonesian citizens and their families. However, it deliberately avoids granting substantive rights such as voting, tax incentives, or land ownership, reflecting Indonesia’s long-standing adherence to single citizenship.
Low Uptake Signals Deeper Issues
Despite targeting an estimated six to nine million Indonesians and descendants worldwide, the scheme attracted only seven applications by its launch date. Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto acknowledged the lukewarm response and said refinements are planned. Applicants must show at least US$15,000 in annual income and pay a fee starting from 34.8 million rupiah, or approx. SGD 2,784, a cost many see as unjustified given the limited benefits.
Diaspora Voices From Singapore and Beyond
For Singapore-based Indonesians, the scheme feels unnecessary. Mr S. Eyan, a 38-year-old Singaporean content creator who moved from Jakarta as a child, said GCI would not influence his decision to return. Others, like media professional Ms Yen Liany, view it as little more than a paid long-term visa, especially when Singaporeans already enjoy free 30-day entry to Indonesia. The inability to own property remains a major deal-breaker.
Brain Drain Driven by Opportunity, Not Passports
Experts stress that Indonesia’s brain drain is not caused by citizenship restrictions alone. A 2025 Populix survey found that 82 percent of Indonesians considering emigration cited higher income abroad, followed by career growth and quality of life. The viral “KaburAjaDulu” trend highlighted growing frustration among educated youth, intensifying concerns over the loss of skilled talent.
Ideology and the Limits of Reform
Calls for dual citizenship have resurfaced repeatedly, including in 2016 under President Joko Widodo and again in 2024 by Luhut Pandjaitan. Yet constitutional barriers and nationalist ideology remain strong obstacles. Scholars point to the 1928 Youth Pledge, which emphasizes one homeland and one nation, as a foundational reason dual nationality remains politically sensitive.
Identity, Loyalty, and a Global Generation
Even among those who leave, Indonesian identity often endures. Students like Mr Ziauddin Dzilmi Yusuf in Japan express strong emotional ties and a desire to contribute to Indonesia, despite better prospects abroad. Older migrants, such as Australia-based Ms Augusta Pattiradjawane, echo similar sentiments, underscoring that belonging is not easily replaced by legal status.
What the Diaspora Really Wants
Researchers argue Indonesia must go beyond symbolic recognition. Clear rules on residency, work rights, property ownership, and family security are essential if overseas Indonesians are to be treated as long-term partners. Without addressing wage gaps, research ecosystems, and career stability at home, schemes like GCI will struggle to compete with more flexible policies offered by regional peers.
Indonesia’s Global Citizenship scheme signals goodwill, but goodwill alone cannot reverse brain drain. For Indonesians in Singapore and across the region, meaningful engagement hinges on opportunity, security, and trust. Without structural reforms at home, Indonesia risks losing not just talent, but its competitive edge in an increasingly mobile Southeast Asia.
Sources: Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Global Citizenship, Indonesian Diaspora, Dual Citizenship Debate, Brain Drain Indonesia, Overseas Indonesians
