Indonesian passports are targeted to have lifetime validity starting in 2027.

Applying for a new passport may become significantly more convenient in the near future. The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) is targeting the rollout of a unified national passport standard starting 2027, including a system where an individual's passport number will remain permanent even when they replace their physical passport booklet.

This plan forms part of wider immigration service reforms designed to deliver simpler, integrated and secure public services. If implemented according to schedule, members of the public will no longer need to update their passport number every time they renew this Travel document.

Under current procedures, every new passport booklet is issued with an entirely new unique number. This requires passport holders to track and provide this updated document number for all travel arrangements, or whenever updating official records linked to their passport identity.

Built around the single identity framework, the Directorate General of Immigration is designing a system where one permanent passport number will be assigned to each individual. This number will not change whenever a new physical passport booklet is reissued.

For context: if a person holds an expiring passport with a given number, when they apply for a replacement passport booklet, their core passport identification number will remain unchanged – unlike the current system where a completely new number is assigned every time.

This system is expected to streamline record keeping and data integration across immigration services. Members of the public will likely experience far simpler administrative processes when arranging passport services for future travel.

That said, the permanent lifetime passport number policy is still at the planning stage. The public must continue to follow all existing regulations until the government formally announces official implementation of this new system.

Government Prepares Unified National Passport Standard

Alongside permanent passport numbers, the government is also working to simplify the types of passports issued in Indonesia. Currently, Indonesia issues both non-electronic and electronic passports, while electronic passports themselves are produced in two variants: laminated paper booklets and polycarbonate booklets. Until now, polycarbonate passports have only been available at a limited number of immigration offices.

Under the single national passport policy, these different variants will be consolidated, meaning all members of the public across Indonesia will use one standardised passport type.

Kemenimipas has instructed that remaining stocks of existing passport variants will be fully exhausted during 2026. This transition period will also be used to prepare technical requirements, supporting regulations, and stage the gradual rollout of the policy.

Official updates released in 2026 confirm that polycarbonate material will be used for the new standard national passport. However, final design specifications and full implementation procedures will only be confirmed via formal government announcements.

Does This Mean Passport Booklets Will Be Valid For Life?

The planned permanent lifetime passport number does not mean that a single physical passport booklet can be used indefinitely.

Under Minister of Immigration and Corrections Regulation No. 11 of 2026, which came into force on 28 July 2026, standard passports have a maximum validity period of 10 years from the date of issue.

This validity requirement will remain in full effect even after the permanent passport number system is introduced.

It is important to distinguish between the permanent passport identification number and the physical passport booklet. The passport number is designed as a permanent personal identifier, while the physical booklet is a travel document with a legally limited validity period.

Once a passport booklet expires, holders will still be required to apply for a replacement in accordance with official regulations. The planned change only affects the permanent identification number, and does not remove the requirement to renew your physical travel document.

Benefits For The Public

Once implemented, the permanent passport number system will significantly reduce administrative burden for international travel arrangements.

Passport holders will no longer need to deal with changing identification numbers every time they receive a new booklet, ensuring consistent identity records across all immigration systems.

For authorities, improved data integration will enable simplified service delivery and stronger management of travel documents. The single standard passport policy will also raise security standards and ensure consistent, equal service quality at all immigration offices nationwide.

Realisation of these benefits will depend on robust system preparation, supporting regulations, and proper on-the-ground execution. Careful preparation during this transition phase is critical to avoid disruption or confusion for members of the public applying for or renewing passports.

As of October 2026, both the single national passport standard and permanent lifetime passport number policies remain in the preparation phase, with official rollout scheduled to commence in 2027.