How to Change Citizenship
Changing citizenship is allowed in various countries. Because citizenship status is not compulsory. A person can become an Indonesian citizen or change citizenship. The process of changing citizenship also has procedures that have been regulated.
There are several factors that make people change their citizenship. Economic factors can be one reason for someone to change citizenship. For example, Indonesian citizens living on the Indonesia-Malaysia border in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. Some people choose to change their citizenship due to the difficulty of accessing education and economic opportunities.
In addition to economic factors, marriage can also make someone wish to change citizenship. Especially if they have settled in a foreign country and lived there for a long time. It can be quite difficult to manage residency permits and travel back and forth to Indonesia. Thus, some couples who have been married for a long time to foreigners will decide to change their citizenship.
The Indonesian government allows its citizens to change citizenship through the following procedures.
How to Change Citizenship
Before a citizen changes citizenship, the person must already have another citizenship status. After that, the applicant can process a letter of application for the loss of Indonesian citizenship.
Creating a Letter of Application for Loss of Citizenship
After obtaining a new citizenship, the applicant must create a letter of application for the loss of citizenship. This letter is written in Indonesian on stamped paper. The letter contains the full name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, residential address, occupation, marital status, and the applicant's reasons.
In the letter of application for loss of citizenship, the applicant will also be asked to attach several documents.
First, a photocopy of the birth certificate or a letter that can prove that the applicant was born in Indonesia and is certified by the Head of the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia.
Second, a photocopy of the marriage book or marriage certificate. Or a copy of the divorce certificate if divorced. Or a photocopy of the death certificate of the applicant's wife or husband for those who are under eighteen years old and already married. These documents must be certified by the Head of the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia.
Third, a photocopy of the ID card (Kartu Tanda Penduduk) or the Republic of Indonesia Travel Document that has been certified by the Head of the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia.
Fourth, a letter of statement from the foreign delegation stating that with the loss of Indonesian citizenship, the applicant will become a citizen of that foreign country.
Fifth, six 4x6 size recent color photographs of the applicant.
Submission and Document Verification Stage
After completing the letter of application for the loss of citizenship, the letter along with its attachments must be submitted to the Indonesian representative whose jurisdiction includes the applicant's residence.
After the documents are received by the local officials, they will be examined within a maximum of fourteen days from the date the documents were submitted.
The documents will be checked for completeness. If they are complete, the Indonesian representative will submit the application to the Minister within a maximum of two months from the date the application is received in full.
Then the minister will examine the documents within a maximum of fourteen days. If the documents are complete, they will be forwarded to the President within a maximum of fourteen days from the date the application is received.
After that, the president will determine the names of citizens who have lost their citizenship and forward them to the Indonesian representative.
The Indonesian representative will convey the president's decision to the applicant no later than seven days from the date the decision is received.
Meanwhile, the minister will announce the names of citizens who have lost Indonesian citizenship.
Author: Iskael
