🅿️ Many foreigners married to Indonesians often wonder how their children can legally stay in Indonesia without constantly applying for a visa 🛂 It’s confusing when your child has a foreign passport but is also entitled to Indonesian citizenship.
🅰️ Without the right paperwork, your child could face long waits at immigration, pay visa fees, or be treated as a foreigner in their own parent’s country 😣 It can create travel headaches and legal uncertainty during school holidays, family emergencies, or long stays.
🆂 That’s where an Affidavit for Dual Nationality comes in ✅ It’s a legal sticker issued by the Indonesian government that allows your child to enter, live, and study in Indonesia as a citizen—no visa required!
🆃 “Once we got the affidavit, everything changed,” says Julia, an Australian mom in Bali. “My daughter could enter Indonesia freely and even attend school without any visa stress.” 💬
🅴 For example, if your child has an Australian or European passport and one Indonesian parent, this affidavit acts as proof of their dual nationality and replaces a visa until they turn 18 or get married 📘
🅰️ Want to apply for your child’s affidavit in 2025? 📝 We’ll walk you through the eligibility, documents, fees, and insider tips to make the process simple. Let’s get started! 🚀
Table of Contents
- How to Let My Child Live in Indonesia Without a KITAS or Tourist Visa 🛂
- What Is an Affidavit for Dual Citizenship and Why It’s Needed 📘
- Can My Foreign-Born Child Legally Study in Indonesia Without a Visa? 🎒
- Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for an Affidavit in 2025 📝
- What Documents Are Required for the Affidavit Application Process 📄
- Validity Period of the Affidavit and What Happens When My Child Turns 18 ⏳
- Differences Between an Affidavit, KITAS, and Indonesian Passport 🔍
- FAQs About Dual Nationality Affidavits for Children in Indonesia ❓
How to Let My Child Live in Indonesia Without a KITAS or Tourist Visa 🛂
If your child has one Indonesian parent and a foreign passport, you don’t always need to apply for a KITAS or tourist visa.
Instead, you can get an Affidavit of Dual Nationality, which gives your child legal rights to stay in Indonesia as a citizen — even if they were born overseas 🌍
This affidavit functions like an entry and residence permit. With it, your child is recognized as an Indonesian citizen, so they can travel in and out of the country without applying for visas or paying re-entry fees.
It’s one of the easiest ways to simplify your family’s immigration status, especially if you plan to live in Indonesia long-term.
What Is an Affidavit for Dual Citizenship and Why It’s Needed 📘
An Affidavit for Dual Citizenship is a document (actually a sticker in your child’s passport) that confirms your child is legally considered an Indonesian citizen even if they also have another nationality.
It’s needed because Indonesia doesn’t fully recognize dual citizenship beyond age 18. So for kids born to mixed-nationality parents, this affidavit is proof that the child is using their Indonesian rights while still holding another country’s passport.
Without it, immigration might treat your child as a foreigner — even at birth. With it, your child can live, study, and travel freely in and out of Indonesia 🚀
Can My Foreign-Born Child Legally Study in Indonesia Without a Visa? 🎒
Yes! If your child has an affidavit, they can legally attend school in Indonesia without needing a student visa. That includes both local and international schools as long as they meet the general school admission rules.
This makes life easier for expat families. No more temporary study permits or limited visas. As long as the affidavit is valid, your child is treated as an Indonesian for education, residency, and legal purposes.
Remember: not all schools will know what an affidavit is, so it helps to also have a copy of your child’s birth certificate and affidavit translation when enrolling 📖
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for an Affidavit in 2025 📝
Here’s how to get started:
- Make sure your child has a foreign passport and at least one Indonesian parent
- Visit your local Indonesian immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) or nearest Indonesian embassy
- Submit the affidavit application form (they’ll give it to you on-site)
- Provide required documents (see next section)
- Pay the fee (varies by location, approx IDR 150,000 – 300,000)
- Wait 1–2 weeks for processing
- Get the affidavit sticker placed inside your child’s foreign passport 📅
Tip: If you apply outside Indonesia (like in Australia or Japan), processing times may take longer.
What Documents Are Required for the Affidavit Application Process 📄
To apply for an affidavit in 2025, prepare the following:
Your child’s original foreign passport
Child’s birth certificate (must name both parents)
One parent’s Indonesian ID (KTP or passport)
Both parents’ marriage certificate
Recent passport photos of the child
Completed affidavit application form
Translations (if documents aren’t in Indonesian or English)
Optional: Bring photocopies of all documents, and prepare both digital and hardcopy versions to avoid delays. Some immigration offices may request additional forms depending on local policy.
Validity Period of the Affidavit and What Happens When My Child Turns 18 ⏳
An affidavit is valid until your child turns 18 years old or gets married — whichever comes first.
After age 18, Indonesian law requires dual-national children to choose one nationality. They’ll need to make a formal declaration to either:
Keep Indonesian citizenship and let go of the other
Renounce Indonesian citizenship and stay with the foreign one
If no choice is made, the Indonesian citizenship may be revoked automatically. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and speak with a legal advisor as your child approaches adulthood ✅
Differences Between an Affidavit, KITAS, and Indonesian Passport 🔍
Let’s break it down simply:
✅ Affidavit: Used by kids with foreign passports but Indonesian blood. Lets them live like a citizen without visa hassles. ✅ KITAS: Temporary stay permit for foreigners. Has to be renewed and has more restrictions. ✅ Indonesian Passport: Full proof of Indonesian citizenship. Can only be issued if the child is registered with the Civil Registry (Catatan Sipil).
For most mixed-nationality families, the affidavit is the most flexible choice during childhood. You can still apply for an Indonesian passport later if needed.
FAQs About Dual Nationality Affidavits for Children in Indonesia ❓
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Can I apply for the affidavit if my child was born abroad?
Yes, as long as one parent is Indonesian and the child hasn’t chosen another nationality yet.
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Does my child need a visa to enter Indonesia if they have the affidavit?
No. The affidavit replaces the need for a visa.
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Can my child still get an Indonesian passport later?
Yes, but you’ll need to register them with the Civil Registry and follow additional steps.
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What happens if my child doesn’t choose a nationality at 18?
Indonesian citizenship may be automatically revoked. Plan ahead!
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Is the affidavit valid for travel outside Indonesia?
Yes! It lets your child return to Indonesia freely without a visa.