The Importance of KITAS and KITAP for Foreigners in Indonesia – KITAS & KITAP or Limited/Permanent Stay Permit Card are needed if foreigners want to work and stay in Indonesian territory for a short or long period of time. KITAS & KITAP can be renewed as needed according to the regulations in article 23 of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation number 27 of 2014 concerning Technical Procedures for Granting, Extension, Rejection, Cancellation and Termination of Visiting Permit, Limited Stay Permit, and Permanent Stay Permit in Indonesia and Exclusion of the Obligation to Hold a Residence Permit.
KITAS is a limited stay permit card in Indonesia that is given to foreigners both for the purpose of working or staying in Indonesia which is limited for six months to two years. As a type of stay permit that is most often used by foreigners. The limited stay permit requires an Indonesian sponsor. By having this permit, you can stay in Indonesia for a maximum of five years, with an extension of each validity period that expires annually/per two years. For the record: 6 months KITAS can not be extended, it can only be used once.
KITAP is a permanent residence permit card given to foreigners who will stay in Indonesia for a long time. The term of the KITAP is 5 years and the re-entry permit is 2 years and can be extended for an unlimited period of time provided as long as the residence permit is not canceled.
Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP/ITAP) can be granted to (through status transfer):
- Foreigners holding a limited stay permit as clergy, workers, investors, and elderly;
- Family due to inter-state marriage;
- Husband, wife, and/or child of a foreigners holding a permanent stay permit; and
- Foreigners who are former Indonesian citizens and former subjects of dual citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia.
Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP/ITAP) also can be granted to (directly without going through the status transfer):
- Former subjects of children with dual citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia who choose foreign citizenship;
- Children of foreigners who are holders of Permanent Stay Permits born in Indonesia; and
- Indonesian citizens who lost Indonesian citizenship in the Indonesian Territory.
10 Comments
Submit a Comment
I live in Bali on Retirement KITAP. Is it possible to be covered by BPJS – and is BPJS approved as the mandatory health insurance when you apply for KITAP?
Hi Bjarne Sonberg. Based on Law 24 of 2011 concerning Social Security Administering Bodies and Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2013 concerning Health Insurance as amended by Presidential Regulation Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2013 concerning Health Insurance, no later than January 1, 2015 Employers of State Owned Enterprises, Large, Medium and Small Scale Enterprises are required to register themselves and their workers with BPJS Kesehatan.
In addition, not only Indonesian citizens (WNI) are required to participate in this National Health Insurance (JKN), but this also applies to foreign citizens (WNA) who at least have lived in Indonesia for at least 6 months, are required to become JKN participants. This provision is contained in Presidential Regulation No. 82/2018 concerning Health Insurance Chapter I article 1 point 2 which reads “Participants are every person, including foreigners who have worked for at least 6 (six) months in Indonesia who have paid Health Insurance contributions”.
And regarding you, the holder of KITAP for International Elderly Tourists who do not have income from Indonesia (not working-pension) using BPJS Health as Health Insurance, of course you can, if you have registered yourself at BPJS. You can use the BPJS Kesehatan facility services for your health needs while in Indonesia. But only for health, if you experience a “ (death) disaster, ” the BPJS cannot be used to cover this.
And regarding this regulation there is no such thing, but we have confirmed it that if foreign citizens want to register at the BPJS health insurance service, they will be accepted. Either registered personally or under the company.
I am currently on kitas for the last 3 years.
Can I change it to KITAS?
Hi Stefano. Can you describe/explain, what Kitas do you use? Working Kitas or investor Kitas or family union Kitas or retirement Kitas so we can help answer. Or please contact us via phone/whatsapp +62818-1881-1887 or email admin@indoservice.co.id
I married end of oktober 2019 to my indonesian wife. I got my first kitas in november 2019. My second kitas in november 2020. According to the data i have read i am eligible for a kitap. However according to our current agent, it is not possible, because the process for the kitap started before 22 oktober. So i have to get a third kitas before eligible for kitap. Is this correct? Thank you
Hi John. To be able to get a Kitap with a spouse sponsored by an Indonesian citizen, the minimum age of marriage has been 2 years.
And about whether you can or can’t get the Kitap. Yes, as long as your marriage has entered the age of 2 years and the remaining 30 days of your stay permit/Kitas, which you currently have. The reason is for the requirement to conversion Status Kitas to Kitap sponsor spouse Indonesian citizen, have your remaining stay permit 30 days before it expires.
Now you just have to count. Your age of marriage and the remaining/limit stay permit you have.
I have just swapped my company Kitas for a wife sponsor Kitas, but after one month I will switch it to a Kitap, I currently have a work permit with my company, my question as a Kitap hder can I work for multiple companies, say as a consultant, or even with Kitap am I still limited to one employer.
Thank Alan
Hi Allan. Following your questions. Here’s the answer.
1. You can work in an Indonesian company.
2. Your employer’s side, it only remains to apply for a work permit to the ministry of manpower.
3. The working period follows the contract from the employer or the stay permit period that you have.
4. And about you working in several companies. This can be done in double positions. The two employers applied for work permits to the ministry of manpower.
Important Notice:
1. For concurrent/double positions only for certain business fields. Not all areas of the company’s business can do this.
2. The double position must be the same as before.
Hi,
If a WNA (foreign citizen) has a spouse-sponsored KITAP, what are the regulations on working without an IMTA? I’ve read that it is possible to be a sole entrepreneur, does this mean a WNA can work for him/herself in Indonesia without an IMTA? Are there restrictions to the type of self employed work a WNA can do? Thanks
Hi, Following your question, I will answer the following below.
1. About working with Spouse-sponsored Stay Permits.
There are 2 options.
a) Revoke your Stay permit (ITAS/ITAP) which is sponsored by your spouse and apply for a new work permit and Stay permit (ITAS) under the PT where you work. or
b) Continue with the Stay permit ITAS/ITAP spouse you currently have for work and the PT where you work only issues a work permit for you from the Ministry of Manpower.
Suggestion, with option b. Because if you have finished working with the PT. You don’t need to revoke immigration documents. You can continue to renew/stay in Indonesia with your spouse’s Sponsored Kitas.
2. I’ve read that it is possible to be a sole entrepreneur, does this mean a WNA can work for him/herself in Indonesia without an IMTA?
If you have PMA and become Investor & Director/Commissioner – shareholder. Can work without a work permit. Because investors have been released from work permits. But the scope of work is just that position, Director/Commissioner.
3. Are there restrictions to the type of self employed work a WNA can do?
The position follows the KBLI in the company’s business field.
If you have a need for stay permit, work permit and incorporation PMA services, can contact us at +62818-1881-1887.