Y

ears after mulling over the idea of providing legitimate recognition to the Indonesian diaspora, the government will finally launch the Diaspora Card, which is to carry privileges for Indonesians living abroad.

With advanced technology and wide access to work overseas in the modern era, millions of Indonesians have decided to pursue their dreams in other countries, but President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has underlined that it was very important to involve the Indonesian diaspora in the country’s economic development.

Scheduled to be introduced by the Foreign Ministry to the public on Monday, the Diaspora Card will equip overseas Indonesians with legal identities and provide them greater chances to make significant contributions to the nation.

Based on recent data, at least 8 million Indonesians have taken up residence overseas, but a ministry official said not all of them would be able to obtain the card.

Niniek Kun Naryatie, the ministry’s expert staff on society, culture and empowerment of Indonesians overseas, said on Thursday that there were four criteria for members of the Indonesian diaspora to be entitled to get the privilege. They must be Indonesian citizens living overseas for more than two years, or foreigners who were previously Indonesian citizens, or foreigners with parents who were previously Indonesian citizens, or foreigners whose parents are still Indonesian citizens.

“Everyone who falls under one of those categories will be able to apply for the diaspora card,” she told The Jakarta Post.

The card will provide holders the ability — similar to KTP (ID cards) — to open bank accounts, purchase property and work in Indonesia, among other things, but Niniek said the most important thing was state recognition that the Indonesian diaspora was part of the country.

“They would able to say that they are Indonesian diaspora by showing that card. It is a major breakthrough that previously has never existed since our Independence Day 72 years ago,” she said.

The card would also allow holders who are former Indonesian citizens and their family members to extend their initial 60-day stay visas twice for a total of 180 days, before they have to leave the country and re-enter.

The government also expects the card to act as an identity token that will provide accurate records of the Indonesian diaspora, including their professions, expertise and distribution throughout the world. The idea of issuing diaspora cards has been considered since 2015, but administration processes delayed implementation until recently, when Jokowi signed Presidential Regulation No. 76/2017 on facilities for Indonesians overseas.

However, Niniek said the card would not yet allow holders visa-free access to Indonesia because that issue falls under the authority of the Directorate General of Immigration.

After a soft launch on Monday, the diaspora card would be introduced in the Fourth Congress of Indonesian Diaspora Global Summit on Tuesday.

Separately, Herry Utomo, the head of the committee organizing the event, said the card would also help the government to keep track of the diaspora and record their information in a database.

“In the congress we will raise public awareness of the card and how it could help them in several issues, including investing in Indonesia,” he said.