Indonesia Updates Citizenship Procedures with More Detailed Examination and Verification Requirements

Indonesia’s citizenship framework has developed a more detailed procedural structure for naturalization and other nationality-related processes. The framework combines substantive citizenship requirements with more structured document review, biometric collection, interviews, factual verification, and coordination with other government institutions.

The current framework is principally based on Law No. 12 of 2006 on Indonesian Citizenship, Government Regulation No. 2 of 2007 as amended by Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, and implementing regulations issued by the Minister of Law. Among the more recent instruments, Minister of Law Regulation No. 15 of 2026 sets out procedures for, among other matters, the election of Indonesian citizenship and applications to remain an Indonesian citizen.

1. Framework for Indonesian Citizenship Procedures

The citizenship framework operates through several levels of regulation.

Law No. 12 of 2006 establishes the principal requirements concerning Indonesian citizenship, including requirements applicable to naturalization. Government Regulation No. 2 of 2007, as amended by Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, provides further procedural and documentary requirements concerning the acquisition, loss, cancellation, and reacquisition of citizenship.

At the ministerial level, Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 21 of 2020, as amended by Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 10 of 2024, regulates procedures for naturalization applications and related administrative processes. Meanwhile, Minister of Law Regulation No. 15 of 2026 regulates, among other matters, procedures for electing Indonesian citizenship and remaining an Indonesian citizen.

Taken together, these regulations establish a process involving documentary review, examination of eligibility, and, for certain nationality services, biometric and interview-based verification.

2. Indonesian Language Requirement and Supporting Documents

For foreign nationals seeking Indonesian citizenship through naturalization, the ability to speak Indonesian remains one of the substantive requirements under the citizenship framework. Applicants are also required to acknowledge Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution as the state foundation.

These requirements are reflected in the documentation required for naturalization applications. Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022 requires applicants to provide core personal information and supporting documents, including a written statement confirming the applicant’s ability to speak Indonesian and a statement acknowledging Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Other supporting documents may include health documentation, police records, evidence concerning residence, and evidence of employment or income, depending on the applicable application.

For certain children covered by the citizenship framework, including former dual citizens who did not exercise the required choice within the applicable period, Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022 also provides a specific application mechanism with corresponding documentary requirements.

Accordingly, the language requirement is reflected not only as a substantive eligibility condition but also in the documentation submitted as part of the application.

3. Biometrics, Interviews and Factual Verification

Minister of Law Regulation No. 15 of 2026 sets out a more structured examination process for applications to elect Indonesian citizenship.

Applications are examined by the relevant Citizenship Officers, Indonesian Missions abroad, or Indonesian Economic and Trade Offices, depending on the applicant’s circumstances. The examination covers the completeness and validity of the requirements, biometric collection, interviews, and factual verification.

The interview follows a standardized format provided in the relevant annex. The examination must be completed within 30 days from receipt of the required documents and must be recorded in official minutes.

Where the requirements are not fulfilled, the application may be rejected with reasons, while the applicant may submit a new application. Where the requirements are fulfilled, the application is forwarded for further substantive examination.

A similar examination structure applies to applications to remain Indonesian citizens. The process again includes verification of the completeness and authenticity of the requirements, biometric collection, an interview, and factual verification.

The interview is conducted using a standardized format, and the examination must likewise be completed within the prescribed period and recorded in official minutes.

4. Separate Administrative and Substantive Examination

The naturalization procedure also distinguishes between administrative examination and substantive examination.

Under the ministerial rules governing naturalization procedures, the administrative examination focuses on the completeness of the application documents. Where required documents are missing, the application is returned to the applicant with the relevant reasons and may subsequently be submitted again.

Once the administrative requirements have been completed, the application proceeds to substantive examination within the applicable period.

Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022 further specifies the information and supporting documents required for naturalization applications. These include identity information, residence and immigration records, health documentation, statements concerning Indonesian language ability and Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, police records, evidence concerning foreign nationality, employment or income documentation, payment of the applicable fee, and photographs.

The structure therefore separates documentary completeness from the subsequent examination of the substance of the application.

5. Coordination with Other Government Institutions

Minister of Law Regulation No. 15 of 2026 also provides for factual verification and the possibility of obtaining input from other government institutions during the substantive examination of applications to elect or remain an Indonesian citizen.

For applications to elect Indonesian citizenship, the Minister, through the Director General, may conduct factual verification and request opinions from relevant institutions. The regulation identifies a range of institutions that may be involved, including institutions responsible for foreign affairs, internal affairs, finance, land administration, intelligence, policing, prosecution, narcotics control, financial transaction analysis, financial services, counter-terrorism, corruption eradication, and national defence.

These institutions may provide input through the Directorate General’s official system in accordance with their respective functions and authorities.

A similar mechanism applies to applications to remain Indonesian citizens. The substantive examination may involve factual verification and requests for information or opinions from the relevant institutions.

This mechanism places the nationality examination within a broader inter-agency verification process, particularly where further factual information is considered necessary.

6. Naturalization Fees

The financial requirements for naturalization have also changed under the current non-tax state revenue framework applicable to the Ministry of Law.

Based on the source materials, Government Regulation No. 30 of 2026 increased the maximum fee for applications to obtain or reacquire Indonesian citizenship from IDR 50 million to IDR 75 million under the previous framework.

The fee is therefore an additional consideration for applicants seeking Indonesian citizenship through naturalization or reacquisition.

The applicable fee should be considered together with the documentary and procedural requirements when assessing the overall requirements for a citizenship application.

7. Relationship with Earlier Citizenship Rules

The current citizenship framework should be read primarily through the later legislation and implementing regulations governing Indonesian citizenship.

Law No. 12 of 2006 and its implementing regulations provide the principal framework currently applicable to citizenship matters, including the procedural rules introduced or developed through subsequent ministerial regulations.

Earlier legislation, including Law No. 3 of 1946, established an earlier framework for naturalization. However, the later citizenship framework contains more detailed rules concerning application procedures, documentation, examination, and administrative processes.

Accordingly, current applications should be assessed against the requirements under the current citizenship legislation and its implementing regulations, rather than relying on procedural arrangements contained in the earlier framework.

8. Practical Implications for Applicants

The current framework means that applicants should prepare for more than the submission of basic citizenship documents.

For naturalization applicants, particular attention should be given to the completeness and consistency of supporting documents, including documentation concerning Indonesian language ability, residence, health, criminal records, nationality status, and employment or income where applicable.

For applications to elect or remain Indonesian citizens, applicants should also be prepared for biometric collection, a structured interview, and factual verification as part of the examination process.

Where the application proceeds to substantive examination, additional verification or input from other government institutions may also form part of the process.

These requirements make careful preparation of the application and supporting documentation important before submission.

Conclusion

Indonesia’s current citizenship framework provides a more structured process for naturalization and other nationality-related applications. The framework combines substantive eligibility requirements with documentary examination, biometric collection, structured interviews, factual verification, and inter-agency coordination.

For applicants, the principal consideration is therefore not only whether the substantive requirements for Indonesian citizenship are satisfied, but also whether the application and supporting documentation can satisfy the applicable administrative and examination requirements.

The applicable requirements may differ depending on the type of citizenship application. Applicants should therefore identify the relevant procedure and prepare their documentation according to the requirements applicable to that particular process.

This article provides a general overview of the current Indonesian citizenship framework and is intended for informational purposes only. Specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on the nature and circumstances of each application.

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