Indonesia’s New Global Citizen Policy Opens Big Opportunities For Bali-Connected Foreigners

Indonesia has introduced a transformative policy that promises significant change for foreigners who have long felt caught between two worlds. The newly launched Global Citizen of Indonesia, known as GCI, gives foreign nationals with deep personal, ancestral, or marital ties to Indonesia the ability to stay indefinitely without giving up their original citizenship.

This move signals a major evolution in Indonesia’s immigration approach and opens a path that many have waited for over decades.

A Landmark Shift In Indonesia’s Immigration Landscape

Dual citizenship is not permitted in Indonesia, and that rule has created difficult crossroads for people of Indonesian descent born abroad, mixed-nationality families, and long-term foreign residents who married Indonesians and built entire lives here. The new GCI category finally acknowledges that global identity and local belonging can coexist, creating a framework that gives legal stability to those who have long been in a grey zone.

Who Qualifies For GCI

GCI is designed for foreign nationals who can prove a direct connection to Indonesia. Eligibility covers former Indonesian citizens, their descendants up to the second degree, and spouses of Indonesian citizens or former Indonesian citizens. Children born from legal mixed-nationality marriages also qualify. This focused eligibility ensures that GCI remains a privilege tied to genuine, long-standing relationships with the country, not a shortcut for general residency seekers.

Applications are processed through Indonesia’s official eVisa system, marking a streamlined digital approach that aligns with global immigration standards. For many who have struggled with temporary visas and recurring renewals, GCI offers a clear, stable, and promising new path.

A Policy Positioned For Global Competitiveness

GCI arrives at a time when global mobility is reshaping personal identity, economic participation, and international migration flows. Countries like India and others with sizable diasporas have already adopted similar solutions. Indonesia is now positioning itself within this global trend by offering a policy that preserves national sovereignty while embracing a modern, interconnected world.

This policy signals an ambition to remain competitive on a global stage. It also shows a commitment to serving the broader Indonesian diaspora, many of whom maintain emotional and cultural ties despite living under different passports. As Indonesia continues to attract investors, remote workers, and multicultural families, policies like GCI strengthen the country’s long-term appeal.

What It Means For Bali

Bali is home to one of the world’s most diverse expatriate and mixed-nationality communities. Many foreigners with Indonesian spouses, Balinese roots, or children have lived in Bali for decades while navigating complex visa requirements. GCI introduces a structural shift that could reshape how these families plan their future.

Unlimited residency rights provide long-term stability for cross-cultural families who want to stay in Bali without facing recurring administrative hurdles. It also reinforces cultural connection for people of Indonesian descent who grew up abroad but consider Bali an ancestral home. The policy aligns with Bali’s global identity and may influence demographic patterns, property decisions, and community structures over the next decade.

How GCI Fits Within Indonesia’s Wider Visa Ecosystem

For foreigners who seek residency purely through investment, the Golden Visa remains the primary route. This investment-driven pathway grants five to ten year stays and targets investors, innovators, and high-value professionals. Meanwhile, tourists and short-stay visitors continue to rely on the 30-day eVisa on Arrival, which can be extended once and is now widely used thanks to the convenience of auto-gates at Bali Airport. GCI sits in its own category. It is not a tourist visa and not an investment program. It is a recognition of identity, belonging, and connection.

Looking Ahead

Indonesia’s new Global Citizen policy stands as one of the country’s most forward-thinking immigration reforms. It resolves long-standing limitations, strengthens ties with global Indonesians, and provides clarity to families who have lived between borders. The long-term impact will unfold over time, particularly in Bali and other provinces with large international communities. The world is watching how Indonesia’s bold step will influence regional mobility, social integration, and the future of multicultural families who call Indonesia home.