What You Need to Get a KITAS in Indonesia

A KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or Limited Stay Permit, now issued electronically and often called an ITAS or e-KITAS) is essential for foreigners who want to live, work or invest in Indonesia. For investors, the most common types are the Investor KITAS and the Work KITAS. Retirees, second-home owners and family members of residents have their own categories. This article is a practical checklist of documents, sponsors and common mistakes. For background on how the permit works and how the categories compare, read our complete guide to the KITAS visa in Indonesia.

Before You Start: Documents Every Applicant Needs

Whatever the category, applications go through the official e-Visa system (evisa.imigrasi.go.id), and most applicants need the following:

• Passport with enough validity. The official e-Visa portal asks for at least six months of validity. In practice, a stay permit cannot run past your passport's expiry date, so agents usually recommend 18 months or more. The Second Home Visa has been widely reported to require up to 36 months.
• Recent colour photograph in the format the portal requires. Biometrics (photo and fingerprints) are taken again at the immigration office or on arrival.
• A sponsor (penjamin). This can be a company, an Indonesian spouse, a licensed agent, or in some categories yourself.
• Proof of funds or income where the category requires it, usually as recent bank statements.
• Civil documents for family applications (marriage and birth certificates). These are usually legalised or apostilled and translated into Bahasa Indonesia by a sworn translator.

Checklist by KITAS Type

Work KITAS (E23)

This permit is sponsored by your employer, which must be a registered Indonesian entity such as a PT, a PT PMA or a representative office. The employer handles: getting approval of the foreign worker utilisation plan (RPTKA) from the Ministry of Manpower, confirming the role is open to foreigners, and paying the foreign worker compensation fund (DKP-TKA), widely reported as USD 100 per worker per month and usually paid in advance. You provide: your passport, photograph, CV, degree certificates and proof of relevant work experience (often legalised), and the employment contract. Firms that specialise in work permits generally quote around 4 to 12 weeks from filing the RPTKA to receiving the KITAS.

Investor KITAS (E28A)

This is for shareholders of a PT PMA, which is an Indonesian company with foreign shareholders. The threshold is based on the value of your shareholding, not the number of shares. According to several Indonesian law firms, an individual investor needs to hold at least IDR 10 billion in shares under the Minister of Law and Human Rights regulations on visas and stay permits. This did not change when BKPM Regulation No. 5 of 2025 lowered the minimum paid-up capital for a PT PMA to IDR 2.5 billion. Check your share structure with your notary. Typical documents: the deed of establishment and Ministry of Law approval, the company NIB from OSS, the company tax number (NPWP), your passport and photograph, and a statement or letter of appointment showing your shareholding or role as director or commissioner. The Investor KITAS is normally granted for one or two years and can be renewed.

Retirement KITAS (E33F)

This permit is for applicants aged 55 or over who will not work in Indonesia. It is sponsored by a licensed agent. Typical documents: your passport, photograph and CV, proof of a regular pension or income, health and life insurance that covers Indonesia, proof of accommodation such as a lease, and statement letters confirming you will not work. The minimum pension or income amount is reported differently by different sources, so ask your sponsor for the current figure before you gather bank documents.

Second Home Visa (E33 series)

This is a long-stay option of five or ten years for applicants with significant funds. The Directorate General of Immigration lists a funds requirement of IDR 2 billion (or the equivalent) in a personal bank account. Reputable sources describe the deposit being kept in an Indonesian state-owned bank. The money stays yours but must remain in place while the permit is valid. Typical documents: your passport, photograph, CV and proof of funds. Eligible spouses, children and parents can apply with proof of the family relationship. Some advisers also describe a property-ownership route. Its conditions are not consistently reported, so confirm it with an immigration agent.

Family KITAS (E31)

This covers spouses and children of Indonesian citizens and dependants of foreign KITAS holders. Typical documents: your passport and photograph, a marriage or birth certificate (legalised and translated), and the sponsor's identity documents or KITAS. For marriages to Indonesian citizens, the marriage usually has to be registered in Indonesia. The dependant's permit normally cannot outlast the main holder's permit.

Step by Step: The Typical Process

• Choose the right category for what you will actually do in Indonesia.
• Prepare the sponsor side first. This means company documents, RPTKA approval or an agent agreement.
• Submit the e-Visa application and pay the government fee (PNBP). Fees are set by regulation and change from time to time, so check the current tariff on the official portal.
• Enter Indonesia on the approved visa (or convert your status where allowed), complete biometrics and receive your e-KITAS.
• Handle post-arrival obligations. These can include local residence registration and, for work permits, reporting to the Ministry of Manpower.

Timelines vary by category and by the immigration office. A realistic plan allows several weeks, and longer for work permits that depend on RPTKA approval.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• A passport that expires too soon, which shortens the permit you receive or forces an early renewal.
• Misreading the Investor KITAS threshold by assuming that IDR 2.5 billion of paid-up capital is enough to qualify.
• Doing work your permit does not cover, for example working on a retirement or second-home permit.
• Civil documents that have not been legalised or translated for family applications.
• Letting a permit lapse, which leads to overstay fines. Start renewals well before the expiry date.
• Using unlicensed intermediaries instead of a licensed agent or law firm.

Why the Right KITAS Matters for Property Investors

A KITAS also makes it easier to open local bank accounts and manage your assets locally. If you plan to develop a villa or resort, plan your permit and company structure together. See our guide on how to buy land in Indonesia using a PT PMA for the corporate side.

Disclaimer

This article is general information based on sources available as of 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice. Indonesian immigration rules, visa codes and fees change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with the Directorate General of Immigration or a licensed immigration agent before you apply.

How Our Studio Can Help

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If you are planning a move to Indonesia together with a building project, get in touch and we will help you understand what your site and budget can realistically deliver.