KITAS Indonesia – Types, Requirements & Process

A Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas or better known as KITAS, is a stay permit for foreigners who want to stay in the Indonesian country. As the name suggests, ‘Izin Tinggal Terbatas’ implies the general idea that it is a limited-stay permit that allows visitors to remain in Indonesia legally for at least 2 years until it expires. 

KITAS works as a Visa that can grant the visitor a stay period ranging from two years, one year, six months, ninety days, and 30 days. Every foreigner or visitor to Indonesia who plans to stay for personal or work reasons can apply for KITAS. KITAS is regulated by the Indonesian Immigration Law and is issued by the Directorate General of Immigration in Indonesia.

The top 4 motives for foreigners to remain and reside in Indonesia are usually:

• Work
• Investments
• Marriage
• Retirement

Different individuals come with different purposes for staying. In Indonesia, you will get a  particular KITAS suiting your situation, and the application for KITAS will require different procedures and documentation processes before filing it to the Indonesian Government. 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KITAS INDONESIA

Work Permit-Based KITAS 

A visa is used for those who stay in Indonesia as a foreign workers. KITAS, for work purposes, has its own official term known as RPTKA, which stands for Indonesian Temporary Expatriate Work Permit.

Process:

• Prior to submitting the work permit application, the sponsor company must receive an approval from the authorities confirming the eligibility of the RPTKA after presenting the details to the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower.
• Pre-RPTKA Approval/Pre-work Permit processing must be completed, and your sponsor firm must be informed about the length of your stay and employment authorization in Indonesia.
• Monthly payment of USD100 must be paid to the DKP-TKA (Development Funds in Exchange of Hiring a Foreign Worker).
• After the clearance from RPTKA, a foreigner worker can now work legally.
• Upon obtaining a work permit. The Indonesian immigration office will provide the VITAS (Temporary Stay Permit).
• The VITAS will instantly be converted into KITAS after your arrival to Indonesia and will be forwarded to the registered email.

Requirements:

• Requires sponsorship from Employer
•  Employer company must be a locally registered Indonesian company either as a PT or a PT PMA company.
• Mandatory to apply for two different permit which is KITAS and (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing) RPTKA.

Three mandatory steps to complete within 14 days of obtaining the KITAS

• Prepare the obligatory documentation needed to live in Indonesia.
• Present all the documents in the department of civil administration.
• The relevant civil certifications will be given to you.

The employee is obliged to work only for the sponsor company designated during the application process.

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Investor KITAS 

This visa is used for foreigners who are staying in Indonesia for investment purposes. To apply for Investor KITAS, investment into a company listed as Penanaman Modal Asing (PMA) company or known as Foreign Owned Company should be made. 

For more information about investing or registering a company, refer to Indonesia company registration.

Process: 

• Provide the name of the sponsor company.
• Foreign director of the company who is not a shareholder must apply for RPTKA in order to process a KITAS.
• Submit supporting documents such as signed application letters and company registration documents.
• After obtaining the business registration number (Nomor Induk Berusaha – NIB) and business licenses (Izin Usaha), the newly formed company is qualified to assist you for an investor KITAS.

Requirements:

• Requires investments in at least one PMA company (Foreign Investment Company)
• A particular incentive is provided by the government if:
• If you are a director of the firm with shares worth IDR 1,000,000,000 registered in your personal name – you can process a KITAS without PRKTA.
• The sponsor company must employ at least two Indonesians for taxes and human resources purposes.

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Expert KITAS 

Applicable for fellow researcher foreigners who are staying for research purposes either they are fully sponsored or not sponsored by the government.

Process:

File an application to the Manpower Department to get RPTKA (Manpower Utilisation Plan).

Submit mandatory documents such as:

• Copy of Passport (Photo and Personal data pages with at least 18 months of validity)
• Passport size photographs (4X6=4 and 2X3=2 in red background)
• Certificate of domicile
• Letter of recommendation from ministry or government agencies related to research
• Recommendations for the purpose of study / research from the competent authorities
• Description of nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate to stamp visa.

Requirements:

Provide the name of the governmental or quasi-government sponsor institution.

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Student KITAS 

This visa is especially for students who intend to study in Indonesia. They must be recommended by the institutions or have an offer letter with the required details.

Process:

The necessary documents required to process Student KITAS are as follows:

• Copy of passport of student (minimum validity of 18 months for 1 year and 36 months for 2 years Student KITAS)
•  Copy of Birth Certificate and Family Register of student
• 2 passports sized (4cmX6cm) photographs in white background
•  Copy of passports of parents/sponsor
• Statement Letter signed by sponsor which confirms the financial guarantee during the stay in Indonesia
• Statement Letter signed by student to confirm that student will not engage in working activities during the stay in Indonesia
•  Acceptance Letter from the Indonesian Educational Institute
• Recommendation from Secretariat General of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia
• Copy of previous transcripts and educational certificates; and
•  Name of nearest Indonesian embassy or Consulate to stamp visa

 Requirements:

• Should have a source of funding to cover living and educational costs while studying
• Accepted by an Indonesian education institute
• Have a letter of recommendation from the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
• Adhere to all laws and regulations pertaining to higher education in Indonesia.
• Only an educational institution that is legitimately registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia may sponsor this KITAS (Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan RI).

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Family KITAS

A KITAS family visa is intended only for staying in Indonesia. This applies to the spouse of a legal marriage between an Indonesian citizen and a foreigner.

Process:

Prepare the following paperwork: 

• A valid passport and its copy,
•  A marriage certificate,
• A copy of the Indonesian spouse’s ID and family card with the “married” status,
• A copy of your Indonesian spouse’s most recent bank statement,
• A sponsor letters (letters from the spouse as the sponsor).

CONVERT VITAS INTO ITAS

When the foreigner arrives in Indonesia, their VITAS will instantly be translated into KITAS/ITAS.

Civil Registration and Reporting 

Provide the necessary paperwork.

• Present all the documentation to the department of civil administration
•  Issuance of SKSKPS (Certificate of Family Formation of Temporary Residents) and STM (Police Report Certificate) will start.
• The switching of KITAS to KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap) can be done once the marriage has spanned along for two years. 

Requirements:

• The applicant  must be legally married to a local Indonesian partner.
• The official marriage certificate is mandatory to only be endorsed by Indonesian government.
• For an overseas marriage, it is required to provide an Indonesian-legalised CNI (Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage).
• Application for a permanent residence visa (KITAP-valid for 5 years) in Indonesia is only applicable after 2 years of marriage.
•  Working is not allowed if Work KITAS is not applied.

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Repatriation KITAS 

This is a retirement visa for a foreigner who is at least 55 years old or more. This Retirement KITAS allows the applicant to enter or exit  the country border without any limits. working within the Indonesia country is not allowed.

Process:

        The following documents should be prepared:

• Copy of Passport (Photo and Personal data pages with at least 18 months of validity)
• Passport size photographs (4X6=4 and 2X3=2 in red background)
• Sponsor letter from the Bureau designated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Description of nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate to stamp visa

Requirements:

• No work is allowed.
• The mandatory age for the Retirement KITAS application is 55 years old.
• Must enter Indonesia with a tourist visa for a month before applying for retirement KITAS.
• Allowed to have a local bank account and hire a driver or domestic helper.
• Only a citizen of one of the following 53 countries listed below:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, UAE, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, India, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malaysia, Malta, Egypt, Monaco, Norway, Oman, France, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (PRC), Thailand, USA, and Greece.

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Internship KITAS 

This is a visa for university students who come from other countries to do an internship in Indonesia.

VALIDITY DURATION OF A KITAS INDONESIA

• Work Permit-based KITAS – Ranging from 6 to 12 months and extendable. The extension period is only applicable if you stay for 7 to 12 months only.
•  Investor KITAS – Based on types of Investor KITAS:

1. Index C-313: Valid for 1 year and extendable for 4 times with an extension of 1 year each time.
2. Index C-314: Valid for 2 years and extendable to a maximum amount of 3 times with a duration of extension of 1 year each time.

•  Expert KITAS and Repatriation KITAS – Extendable for up to 5 years.
• Student KITAS – Maximum validity can be 2 years. Extendable for another 2 years of a student KITAS and can be extended with a maximum of 2 times.
• Family KITAS – Allowed to apply for permanent residency (KITAP) after 2 years.
• Internship KITAS – Applicable for a duration of a 60-day internship program.

CAN YOU EXTEND AN INDONESIAN KITAS?

Before a KITAS expires, one can extend it by visiting the Directorate General of Immigration offices and requesting an extension. Regarding the immigration status, one will need to produce a number of documents, such as:

• The KITAS renewal application form after completion
• The sponsor’s or guarantor’s letter
• If you are renewing your work KITAS, your current passport RPTKA from the Ministry of Manpower.
• If you are renewing a Spouse KITAS, you will need a copy of the marriage certificate, a letter from the spouse, the spouse’s ID card, etc. Birth and marriage certificates for the dependents of the primary KITAS holder are also required.
• whatever other paperwork that the immigration agents may ask to provide

A renewal fee is additionally required.

Once your KITAS has been continually renewed for two to four years, you are qualified to apply for a KITAP, a permanent residency permit. Since KITAS are only given for temporary employment, they are typically not eligible for renewal.

INDONESIA KITAP

For foreigners who have already resided in Indonesia for a few years with a temporary stay KITAS, the Indonesian KITAP is a stay permit that is valid permanently. The KITAP is valid for five years and may be renewed as necessary.

Depending on the KITAS type, the applicant may be eligible for permanent residency at any time. Spouses of Indonesian residents are eligible for a KITAP after two years of continuous residence in Indonesia, however, retirees and foreign workers must wait four years before applying.

When the applicant qualifies for an Indonesian KITAP, he is granted privileges comparable to those of Indonesian citizens, including the ability to establish a bank account, obtain a loan, and obtain a five-year driver’s license.