Everything You Need to Know about KITAS Indonesia 2023

For a foreigner to stay legally within Indonesia for work or personal reasons, he or must obtain a permit from the Indonesian authorities. This permit is commonly referred to as a KITAS. 

In this article, we will explain the different types of stay permits, better known as KITAS in Indonesia 2023. This permit allows a foreigner to work, establish a business, and even stay in Indonesia. If you have a basic understanding and are looking for in-depth advice, click here to set up your 1:1 ITAS consultation here

What is KITAS Indonesia

ITAS stands for Izin Tinggal Terbatas, A limited-stay permit in Indonesia. To obtain KITAS/ITAS, foreigners should present a sponsor, an Indonesian citizen, or a company. Previously, the Indonesian government issued a physical card for an ITAS (known as a KITAS), but now the permit is digital.

What are the Types of KITAS in Indonesia?

Depending on the type of KITAS/ITAS and the basis of your KITAS application, a KITAS/ITAS can be valid for six months to two years. The 4 most common purposes for foreigners residing in Indonesia are work, investment, marriage, and retirement. 

Each purpose has a specific KITAS/ITAS and differs in processes and documents for submission to the Indonesian authorities.

1. KITAS for Working in Indonesia

Although the common term used is KITAS/ITAS, the official term for an Indonesian Temporary Expatriate Work Permit is called an RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing). Therefore, foreigners working in Indonesia must understand that an RPTKA and a KITAS/ITAS are 2 different permits that he or she must apply for.

To apply for a Work KITAS/ITAS, foreigners must obtain sponsorship from the employer. The sponsor must be a company registered in Indonesia. In other terms, the company should be defined as a PT, PT PMA, or a representative office. A work KITAS in Indonesia 2023 also allows a foreigner to re-enter Indonesia multiple times with one permit using a MERP (Multiple Exit and Re-entry Permit).

Do you want to know more? Continue reading Work Permit in Indonesia from A to Z

2.  KITAS Marriage Visa

A foreigner legally married to an Indonesian citizen can be sponsored by his or her spouse to qualify for a KITAS/ITAS family visa. However, this KITAS doesn’t allow foreigners to work in Indonesia. You can only reside in the country and not engage in income-generating activities.

An official marriage certificate endorsed by the Indonesian government is mandatory for KITAS application. If you happen to get married abroad, you must present an Indonesian-legalised CNI (Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage).

After that, you can apply for a permanent residence visa (KITAP) in Indonesia after a 2-year marriage. KITAP has 5 years of validity with MERP (multiple exits and re-entry permit).

Learn more about spouse visas in Indonesia.

3. KITAS Retirement Visa

A retirement visa is irrelevant to a business owner or entrepreneur. Therefore it is applicable for 55 years or older foreigners that want to retire in Indonesia. In that case, you may enter Indonesia first on a tourist visa and then apply for retirement ITAS after a month.

With a retirement KITAS/ITAS, you can live in Indonesia for consecutive years and enter or exit the country as often as you would like. You can also get a local bank account and hire a driver or domestic helper. However, you should have not planned to work in Indonesia.

4. Investor KITAS

Investor KITAS, or Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas untuk Investor, is a special limited stay permit issued by the Indonesian government to foreign investors who wish to establish or expand their business ventures in the country.  This program streamlines the immigration process for investors and provides certain benefits, making Indonesia a more appealing destination for foreign capital.

Retirement KITAS/ITAS is popular among ex-pats living in Bali, read more about KITAS requirements

Who Can Apply for KITAS in Indonesia?

A Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (KITAS), or limited stay permit, is a critical document for foreigners wishing to reside in Indonesia for various purposes. Foreigners can obtain this permit for work, business, or family reunification permit. However, only some are eligible to apply for a KITAS, as the Indonesian government has specific criteria and categories for those who can obtain this permit. 

KITAS in Indonesia is eligible for foreign workers, employers, and investors. However, foreigners can also apply for KITAS in Indonesia by engaging in a marriage to an Indonesian, retirement, foreign students, and scholars who conduct research. 

What is the Process to Obtain KITAS in Indonesia 2023?

A visa application in Indonesia might take a lot of work. Usually, the process may take up to 10 weeks. Therefore, you must complete your early consultation with InCorp Indonesia to avoid unnecessary disappointment. Furthermore, a KITAS/ITAS renewal is preferably done 2 months before the expiry date.

How to Apply for KITAS in Indonesia 2023?

1. KITAS Work Visa

RPTKA Approval

1. Your sponsor company receives approval from the RPTKA for its proposal from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower.
2. Your sponsor company needs to go through the Pre-RPTKA Approval/Pre-work Permit process and be notified of the duration that you can stay and work in Indonesia
3. DKP-TKA (Development Funds in Exchange of Hiring a Foreign Worker) payment of USD100/month must be paid in advance.
4. With the approval of RPTKA, you can now work legally in Indonesia
5. With your work permit, the immigration office in Indonesia will issue your VITAS.
6. Your VITAS will automatically convert into KITAS/ITAS upon arriving in Indonesia and will be sent to the registered email.

Read more: Indonesia Golden Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Civil Registration and Reporting

Take the following mandatory steps within 14 days after ITAS issuance.

1. Prepare the required documents for living in Indonesia.
2. Present at civil administration department.
3. You will get the necessary civil certificates.

2. KITAS Marriage Visa in Indonesia

VITAS Approval

1. Prepare documents: valid passport and a copy of passport, marriage certificate, copy of ID and family card of your Indonesian spouse with “married” status, copy of Indonesian spouse’s latest bank statement, and sponsor letter.
2. Repeat steps in “VITAS Approval” of “Process of ITAS Work Visa”

Convert VITAS into ITAS

Similarly, the VITAS will be automatically converted into KITAS/ITAS upon the foreign worker’s arrival in Indonesia.

Civil Registration and Reporting

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

Consider converting your KITAS/ITAS to KITAP after two years of marriage with your Indonesian spouse.

Read more: How to Obtain KITAS Indonesia for Investment in Surabaya and Batam

Can You Extend KITAS in Indonesia?

Once you hold a Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (KITAS) in Indonesia, it’s important to understand that your initial permit has a limited duration. To continue residing, working, or studying in Indonesia, you’ll often need to extend your KITAS. Here’s what you need to know about extending your stay in Indonesia:

1. Know Your KITAS Expiry Date

Every KITAS comes with a specific validity period. You may find your ITAS has a validity of around a few months to several years. The validity depends on your circumstances and visa category. It’s crucial to be aware of your KITAS expiry date to avoid any issues related to overstaying.

2. Start Early

Ideally, you should initiate the extension process well before your current KITAS expiration date. Typically, you can begin the renewal process about 60 days before your KITAS expires.

3. Document Preparation

To extend your KITAS, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents. These documents may include your valid passport, a copy of your existing KITAS, a letter of sponsorship or recommendation (if applicable), proof of financial stability, health insurance coverage, and any other documents specific to your visa category.

4. Visa Agents and Sponsors

Many expatriates in Indonesia rely on visa agents or sponsors who are familiar with the immigration procedures. These professionals can assist you in preparing your documents, liaising with relevant authorities, and guiding you through the extension process.

5. Visit the Immigration Office

Extending your KITAS typically requires a visit to the local immigration office or an authorized immigration service center. During this visit, you may undergo biometric data collection and document verification.

6. Processing Time

The processing time for KITAS extensions can vary depending on the workload of the immigration office and the complexity of your case. Applying well before your current KITAS expiration date can help prevent delays.

7. Fees and Costs

Be prepared to pay the required fees for your KITAS extension. The fee amount can differ based on the duration and type of KITAS you are extending.

8. Maintain Legal Status

Until your KITAS extension is approved, it’s crucial to maintain your legal status in Indonesia. Avoid any activities that could lead to visa violations or overstay penalties, which can have serious consequences.

9. Collecting Your Extended KITAS

Once approved, you must return to the immigration office to collect your new KITAS. It’s essential to review the details on your KITAS for accuracy before leaving the office.

10. Renew Annually

In most cases, you’ll need to renew your KITAS annually. The extension process follows a similar pattern each year, with the submission of the documents and payment of fees.

Get Your KITAS Hassle-Free with InCorp Indonesia!

Procedures for obtaining residence status in Indonesia can be a hassle. Oftentimes, it is even time-consuming. Regulations change occasionally. It is common to avoid headaches and hire an agent yourself or your employer to help with the process more efficiently, especially the paperwork. 

InCorp’s Indonesia Work Permit (RPTKA) and Indonesia Working Visa (KITAS/ITAS) processes give you professional advice to maximize the chances of a successful application. Contact us now if you are ready to start your life in Indonesia or consider discussing other options.