Indonesian Citizenship for Pakistanis: (Benefits, Losses, and Impact on Inherited Property)

  • Feb 03, 2025

Note: 
Before reading, please note that I write all of my articles purely for the purpose of knowledge provision. I never intend to hurt anyone; instead, my writing is meant to benefit all of us.

If you decide to acquire Indonesian nationality as a Pakistani, here are the key benefits and losses you should consider:

Benefits of Indonesian Nationality

Visa-Free Travel

  • Indonesian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 70+ countries, including ASEAN nations, Japan, and South Korea.

Right to Own Property

  • As an Indonesian citizen, you can fully own land and property in Indonesia, which is restricted for foreigners.

Business & Employment Opportunities

  • No need for a work permit (KITAS/KITAP) to work or start a business in Indonesia.
  • You can apply for government jobs that are not available to foreigners.

Social & Healthcare Benefits

  • Access to Indonesia’s public healthcare system (BPJS Kesehatan) at subsidized rates.
  • Eligibility for government subsidies in education, housing, and social assistance.

Ease of Integration

  • You can live permanently in Indonesia without visa renewals.
  • You can participate in elections and have political rights.

What You Will Lose (Drawbacks of Renouncing Pakistani Nationality)

Loss of Pakistani Citizenship

  • Pakistan does not allow dual nationality with Indonesia, so you must renounce your Pakistani citizenship.
  • Losing your Pakistani passport means visa restrictions when traveling back to Pakistan.

Loss of Pakistani National ID (CNIC/NICOP & Passport)

  • You cannot renew your Pakistani CNIC, NICOP, or passport.
  • You may need to apply for a visa to visit Pakistan.

Inheritance & Property Issues in Pakistan

  • Foreigners cannot own land in Pakistan as easily as citizens.
  • You may need special permission to manage or inherit family property.
    If you renounce your Pakistani nationality and become an Indonesian citizen, your rights to inherited property in Pakistan will be affected. Here’s what happens:

1. Inherited Property from Your Father

  • You will still own the property, but as a foreign national (Indonesian citizen), managing or selling it will have restrictions.(in other words, you already lost your property.) 
  • Pakistan allows foreign nationals to inherit property, but you must get approval from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) before selling or transferring it.
  • You might face legal complications if your documents are not updated or if other heirs dispute ownership.

2. Can You Keep and Use the Property?

  • Yes, you can keep inherited property, but you may not have full rights to sell or transfer it easily.
  • If you want to rent it out, you might need a special permission or NOC from Pakistani authorities.

3. Can You Buy More Property in Pakistan as an Indonesian Citizen?

  • As a foreign citizen, you will need special permission from the Pakistan government to buy any new property.
  • You must prove the source of funds and get clearance from State Bank of Pakistan.

4. How to Protect Your Property After Renouncing Pakistani Citizenship?

✅ Before giving up your Pakistani nationality, ensure your inherited property is legally transferred to your name through a mutation process (Intiqal) in the revenue records.
✅ If you have siblings or family in Pakistan, you can transfer the property to a trusted relative’s name for easier management.
✅ You can make a legal Will (Wasiyat) to ensure your property is passed on as per your wishes.
✅ Consider keeping your Pakistani nationality or applying for a long-term visa to manage your assets.

Bank Accounts and E-Wallets:

If you renounce your Pakistani nationality and become an Indonesian citizen, your bank accounts and e-wallets in Pakistan will be affected in the following ways:

1. Pakistani Bank Accounts

  • You can keep your existing Pakistani bank accounts, but they will be converted to a Non-Resident Pakistani (NRP) account after you become a foreign citizen.
  • Most banks will require you to update your status as a non-resident and provide proof of your new Indonesian nationality.

2. Can You Open a New Bank Account in Pakistan?

  • As a foreign national, you cannot open a regular Pakistani bank account.
  • However, you can open a Foreign Currency (FC) account or an NRP account if you meet the requirements.

3. E-Wallet Accounts (JazzCash, EasyPaisa, NayaPay, etc.)

  • Most Pakistani e-wallets require a Pakistani CNIC/NICOP for account registration.
  • If you renounce your Pakistani citizenship, your CNIC/NICOP will be canceled, meaning you may lose access to your e-wallet accounts.
  • Some e-wallets allow foreign nationals with a Pakistani phone number to keep their accounts, but this is subject to their policies.

4. How to Manage Your Accounts Before Renouncing Citizenship?

✅ Withdraw or transfer funds to an international account before changing your nationality.
✅ Convert your accounts to Roshan Digital Account (RDA) or NRP accounts to continue banking in Pakistan.
✅ Keep a trusted family member as a joint account holder to manage your finances if needed.
That is to say, you will be totally lost. Every Pakistani bank account and electronic wallet that will no longer be accessible.


Hajj and Umrah

Limited Travel Benefits

  • The Pakistani passport offers better visa access to some countries (like Turkey and UAE) compared to Indonesia.
  • Hajj and Umrah visas may be harder to obtain as an Indonesian compared to Pakistanis.

Military & Political Restrictions

  • You cannot serve in the Pakistani military or government positions after renouncing citizenship.
  • Indonesian nationality requires strict allegiance, meaning you must follow Indonesian laws strictly.

Final Consideration

If you frequently travel between Pakistan and Indonesia, you should weigh the benefits of an Indonesian passport against the restrictions of losing Pakistani citizenship. If you plan to permanently settle in Indonesia, acquiring Indonesian nationality may be beneficial. However, if you have strong ties to Pakistan, consider obtaining a long-term visa instead of nationality.