JAKARTA — Indonesia is set to tighten its naturalisation process for foreign nationals, with the government seeking to prevent citizenship from being used primarily to gain access to land, property and other assets.

Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said the government was reviewing applications more closely to ensure foreigners seeking Indonesian citizenship had genuine reasons for doing so.

“We must ensure that the purpose behind foreigners seeking Indonesian citizenship through naturalisation is not merely to secure assets in Indonesia or acquire land under ownership rights,” Supratman said at the Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta on Friday, August 7.

He said the tighter approach would apply to applicants regardless of their nationality. The minister also pointed to cases involving foreign nationals who already operate businesses in Indonesia but apply for citizenship individually.

Supratman also discussed the citizenship status of immediate family members, including spouses and dependent children, in cases where one family member becomes an Indonesian citizen.

The government’s position has received support from Commission XIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), which oversees legal and human rights affairs.

Commission XIII chairman Willy Aditya said Indonesian citizenship should not be granted solely for practical purposes such as playing for a national sports team, making investments, marriage or gaining control over assets.

“Becoming a citizen is not just a utilitarian matter,” Aditya said in a statement on Sunday, August 9. He said applicants should be prepared to integrate into Indonesian society, including its culture, social values and the philosophy of Pancasila.

The government’s move comes shortly after Indonesia increased the fee for foreign nationals applying for citizenship.

Under Government Regulation No. 30 of 2026 on types and tariffs of non-tax state revenue under the Ministry of Law, the naturalisation application fee rose from Rp50 million to Rp75 million. The new tariff took effect on August 1.

The regulation also sets new fees for several other citizenship-related services.