JakartaPost-June 24, 2024
The government’s plan to give permanent visas to members of the diaspora and children of mixed-nationality marriages should ensure their rights to have economic opportunities including education and the ability to invest in the country without significant barriers, Indonesian former citizens and diaspora members have suggested. Former citizens and members of the Indonesian diaspora responded with enthusiasm to the government’s plan to issue a special permit allowing them the right to reside and work indefinitely in Indonesia and hope that the authorities will publish the plan’s details as soon as possible, as current laws make returning to the country difficult. A clearer outline of how the plan will affect their economic rights is especially important to guarantee their livelihoods when they return to Indonesia. The special permit plan was first raised by Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan during a technology conference in early May. The senior minister said that the government was considering offering dual citizenship to former Indonesian citizens living overseas, in a bid to attract more skilled workers to the country. While Luhut did not offer any details at that time, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly later mentioned that the government would reference India’s Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme, which grants a lifelong, multiple-entry visa for its holders and their spouses holding foreign passports. Indonesia currently does not allow dual citizenship. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2024/06/24/diaspora-mixed-children-laud-govts-permanent-visa-plan.html.
