High Interest from Foreign Nationals and Mixed-Race Children in Becoming Indonesian Citizens Underscores the Value of Indonesian Citizenship
The status of being an Indonesian citizen (WNI) is not merely an administrative identity, but an honour and a national commitment obtained through a strict and selective process. Every year, the government receives various citizenship applications from foreign nationals (WNA) who wish to settle and become part of the Indonesian nation. However, the process of becoming a WNI is not easy, as it must go through various requirements and strict considerations in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.
The Directorate General of Legal Administration (Ditjen AHU) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum) noted that not all citizenship applications can be approved. Based on data on citizenship applications from the Directorate of State Affairs, from 2020 to 2025, of the total 544 citizenship applications, only 241 were approved. In fact, in the last year (2025), of 147 naturalization applications, only 2 were approved, while 145 applications were rejected or could not be approved.
The Director General (Dirjen) of AHU, Widodo, said that this figure confirms that the process of obtaining Indonesian citizenship is carried out selectively and based on strict legal considerations. Each applicant must meet administrative and substantive requirements, including aspects of national integration, compliance with the law, and contributions to the country.
“Every year, we receive various citizenship applications from foreign nationals who wish to settle and become part of the Indonesian nation, acceptance is carried out with strict consideration, indicating that the status of Indonesian citizenship is something valuable and not given automatically,” said the Director General of AHU, at a press conference at the Ditjen AHU Building, Jakarta, Thursday (26/2).
In addition to citizenship applications by foreign nationals, citizenship applications are also submitted by children of mixed-race marriages or Children with Dual Citizenship (ABG). The high number of applications from this group indicates that many children from mixed families choose to become WNI rather than maintaining their foreign citizenship.
Quoting data on the Kemenkum Instagram page, from October 2024 to January 2026, as many as 212 ABG have received a Decree (SK) of WNI. 2025 was the period with the highest number of designations.
“The designation of the WNI SK for ABG is a form of state protection, legal certainty, and investment in the future of children. The higher the number of applications indicates that more families are ensuring the status of their children’s citizenship officially and legally,” said the Director General of AHU.
According to the provisions of the legislation, children of mixed-race marriages are given the opportunity to have limited dual citizenship until the age of 18. After reaching that age or at the latest before the age of 21, they must declare their choice of citizenship. The choice to become a WNI is strong evidence that Indonesia remains an identity and home for those with cross-national family backgrounds.
“Children of mixed-race marriages have the opportunity to choose citizenship after the age of 18. Many of them consciously choose to become WNI. This shows that Indonesia remains the main choice for young generations from mixed families,” he added.
The high interest of foreign nationals and children of mixed-race marriages in becoming WNI, continued the Director General of AHU, is an indicator of trust in Indonesia. The large number of children of mixed-race marriages who choose Indonesian citizenship shows the strong attachment they have to the Indonesian nation.
“The government through the Directorate General of AHU will continue to ensure that every citizenship process is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountably, so that the status as an Indonesian citizen remains meaningful and of high value,” concluded the Director General of AHU. (Cah/P-3)