Similar to Willy Wonka's hidden golden tickets concealed within chocolate bar wrappers, Indonesia has its own alluring equivalent — the golden visa.

On 5 September, Indonesia extended a warm welcome to Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, as he became the inaugural recipient of their newly introduced golden visa programme.

What Benefits Does The Golden Visa Have?

This prestigious visa not only grants Sam an extraordinary 10-year residency privilege but also entitles him to VIP treatment at Indonesian airports.

Beyond its symbolic significance, his golden visa comes with a host of practical benefits.

With this visa in hand, he gains the ability to reside in Indonesia for an extended period of up to ten years.

Additionally, he can bypass conventional airport procedures by utilising priority screening lanes, enabling swift entry and departure from the country without the usual paperwork associated with temporary stay permits.

Why Did Indonesia Grant Sam Altman The Golden Visa?

Indonesia recently unveiled its golden visa programme, an initiative designed to attract high-net-worth individuals who can significantly contribute to the nation's economic growth.

Typically, this programme requires a substantial financial commitment, with a five-year golden visa priced at $25 million and a ten-year visa at $50 million.

However, it remains to be officially clarified whether Sam met these financial criteria or if his selection was influenced by his global standing in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

This decision aligns with Indonesia's proactive pursuit of AI technologies as it seeks to harness their transformative potential.

Sam's receipt of the golden visa reflects Indonesia's commitment to attracting investments in AI and tech-related sectors.

Furthermore, his prominence as a figure in international tech circles, including recent engagements with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and potential participation in an upcoming AI safety summit in the United Kingdom, underscores the global significance of this development.

Sam's newfound visa status holds promise both for him and for Indonesia's future in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

As highlighted by Immigration Director-General Silmy Karim, nations such as Denmark and the United Arab Emirates that have implemented similar golden visa policies have reaped substantial benefits.

Indonesia's move serves as a promising precedent as it positions itself to become a global AI hub, facilitating foreign investments in technology and innovation.