Mirella Pandjaitan
Dec 02, 2025
The Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has tightened the rules for obtaining an Indonesian passport for ex-foreign citizens who have acquired Indonesian citizenship, as outlined in Circular Letter of the Director for Visas and Travel Documents No. IMI.2-1054.GR.01.01 of 2025.
The circular underscores that a change in citizenship status from foreign national to Indonesian citizen carries legal consequences for one's immigration rights and obligations. As such, clarity is required regarding any immigration documents previously held while still a foreign national.
“Through this policy, we aim to ensure that every former foreign citizen applying for an Indonesian passport has fully completed all administrative and legal obligations related to the renunciation of their previous citizenship,” said Eko Budianto, Director for Visas and Travel Documents at the Ministry.
Applicants who are ex-foreign citizens must now provide specific additional documents:
1. Proof of returning all immigration documents issued under their former nationality
2. An official certificate of citizenship renunciation issued by the diplomatic mission of their country of origin
3. Evidence that their foreign passport has been surrendered to the relevant national authority
These additional rules aim to ensure that passport issuance proceeds in an orderly, transparent manner, aligned with prevailing laws and regulations, while safeguarding the integrity of immigration functions as a cornerstone of national sovereignty. Moreover, the policy strengthens administrative verification and ensures legal certainty in issuing passports to former foreign nationals, while also preventing potential misuse of Indonesian travel documents.
Therefore, immigration officers are required to verify the authenticity of these documents and are authorised to delay service if discrepancies or doubts about completeness are found.
The circular, enacted on 17th November 2025, applies to all Immigration Offices throughout Indonesia, including relevant technical units authorised to issue travel documents.
“Administrative order is not merely a matter of procedure—it is a matter of protecting the national interest. With this policy, we want to ensure that Indonesian passports are issued only to those who have genuinely fulfilled all legal requirements as Indonesian citizens,” added Budianto.
