How To Obtain The Spouse Visa Indonesia

Indonesia is often criticized for having a complicated and ambiguous process for immigration matters. With the proper research and the engagement of a professional consulting firm, you may overcome the challenge of obtaining one. One of which is to apply for a spouse visa in Indonesia.

What Is A Spouse Visa Indonesia?

Getting a visa through spousal sponsorship, also known as a spouse-sponsored marriage visa or spouse visa. It is a visa type for foreigners who marry Indonesian citizens. 

The spouse visa can sponsor two immigration documents, KITAS/ITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) and KITAP. A KITAS is a Limited Stay Permit, while  KITAP is a Permanent Stay Permit. In most cases, KITAS is the foundation for applying for KITAP in the future.

In this article, we will let you know the requirements for a spouse visa in Indonesia, the process of acquiring it, and how it can benefit you for living and doing business in Indonesia.

Requirements for a Spouse Visa in Indonesia

While being married to an Indonesian citizen is the first requirement for getting a spouse visa, you will also need an official marriage certificate approved by the government as one of the requirements.

Getting Married in Indonesia vs. Abroad

According to the law in Indonesia, marriage to your Indonesian spouse is legitimate only when performed according to the regulations and the religious beliefs of both the husband and wife in Indonesia.

Kantor Urusan Agama and civil registry offices (Kantor Catatan Sipil) are authorized offices that can perform marriages in Indonesia.

If the marriage is performed outside of Indonesia, foreigners can file the marriage report and other official marriage certificates to the Indonesian Embassy abroad.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Get a Spouse Visa in Indonesia

By engaging with InCorp Indonesia (formerly Cekindo) for the spouse visa application, you will only have to visit the immigration office once during the process. Technically, you will only be encouraged to visit during the conversion of VITAS to KITAS and for biometric data processing.

1. Electronic VITAS

• Prepare a valid passport and a copy of the passport, marriage certificate, copy of ID and family card of your Indonesian spouse with “married” status, copy of the Indonesian spouse’s latest bank statement, and sponsor letter
• Apply for an Electronic VITAS, issued by Indonesian Immigration, within ten working days

2. Convert VITAS into KITAS/ITAS

When your passport is scanned once entering Indonesia, your electronic VITAS will automatically be converted into a KITAS/ITAS. KITAS is valid for six months to a year. The holder must renew it every 12 months with five years of validity in total.

3. Civil Registration and Reporting

A foreigner with spouse-sponsored KITAS/ITAS must register at the civil department within 14 days of KITAS issuance.

• Prepare the required documents
• Present at the civil administration department
• You will get SKSKPS (Certificate of Family Formation of Temporary Residents) and STM (Police Report Certificate)

4. Convert KITAS/ITAS into KITAP/ITAP

After two years of marriage, you must consider converting your KITAS/ITAS to a KITAP/ITAP for your spouse visa in Indonesia. KITAP also be renewed every five years or consecutively for 25 years.

The KITAP/ITAP can be the document you need to move forward before obtaining full citizenship.

Company-Sponsored KITAS/ITAS

You can still convert your company-sponsored working KITAS/ITAS to KITAP. However, your Indonesian spouse must file a sponsor letter. Another thing to note, you can’t work for any company without having a work permit RPTKA (Pengesahan Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing or the Foreign Worker Utilization Plan) from the Manpower Department in Indonesia. The company is the only valid entity to sponsor you for the RPTKA.

The Benefit Of A Spouse Visa in Indonesia?

By having a KITAS/ITAS or KITAP spouse visa, you are entitled to the following:

• Validity for a stay in Indonesia: 5 years (for spouse KITAP)
  Validity of MERP (Multiple Exit/Re-Entry Permit): 2 years
  An Indonesian ID, KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk), with a reality of 5 years (for spouse KITAP)
  An Indonesian driver’s license, SIM (Surat Izin Mengemudi)
  Ability to open bank accounts, apply for loans and credit cards in Indonesia
  Eligibility for local prices of tourist attractions
  Eligibility for becoming an Indonesian citizen

What Will Happen In The Event of Divorce?

If you have been married to your Indonesian spouse for less than ten years, you must submit a new sponsor to immigration in Indonesia in 60 days to hold onto the spouse visa you’ve obtained.

Conclusion

In Indonesia, getting the proper context of immigration law for spouse visa applications can be challenging. If you do this independently, most of you will be taken aback by all the complicated processes and requirements.

Do not get held up because of the burdensome paperwork requested or time-wasting showing up at the immigration office multiple times. Let’s start here at InCorp Indonesia (formerly Cekindo), and we will handle all the hassles for you.