An ITAS is Indonesia’s limited stay permit; “KITAS” is the term commonly used for the card or document that records it. The right category depends on why you are staying. Permission to reside does not automatically permit any work, so your approved activities matter as much as your expiry date.
What is a KITAS and how is it different from an ITAS?
ITAS means Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or limited stay permit. KITAS traditionally refers to the card documenting that permission. Although people still say KITAS, permits are commonly issued electronically.
A VITAS is the limited stay visa used to enter Indonesia for the relevant purpose; the ITAS governs your subsequent stay. A KITAP, or permanent stay permit, is a different status with separate eligibility requirements.
Choose a permit based on the activity you will actually undertake, not only the price or a friend’s experience.
Main types of KITAS in Indonesia
Visa indexes have subcategories and the approved duration depends on the application. The following categories have different eligibility and activity restrictions.
Work KITAS
For employment in Indonesia, the employer normally handles sponsorship and the relevant manpower process, including RPTKA approval where required. Your role, qualifications, employer and approved activities must fit the authorization.
Investor KITAS
The E28A route requires evidence of at least IDR 10 billion in shares in the sponsoring company. This is an individual shareholding requirement, not a visa fee or a simple reference to total company investment.
Family and spouse KITAS
E31A covers joining an Indonesian husband or wife. E31B covers joining a spouse who holds an ITAS or ITAP; children use the relevant family subcategory.
Retirement and longer residence
For the 2025 framework, the one-year retirement route covers applicants aged 55 or older, requires a sponsor and requires evidence of US$3,000 monthly income or benefits. The five-year E33E route has separate financial conditions.
Student KITAS
Students should coordinate with their school or university on the correct E30 subcategory and supporting approvals.
Remote-worker KITAS
For E33G remote workers, the published requirements include an employment agreement with a company outside Indonesia and evidence of at least US$60,000 annual income.
Documents required for a KITAS application
Build one clearly labelled folder rather than searching through messages whenever a document is requested.
Core application documents
- A valid passport and clear identification-page scan.
- A recent colour photograph meeting portal specifications.
- Evidence of sufficient living funds, commonly recent bank statements.
- An Indonesian residential address and contact details.
- A sponsor’s application, guarantee and identity or company documents, where required.
- Evidence supporting the purpose of your stay.
Additional documents by route
- Work: employment information, qualifications, experience evidence and employer approvals.
- Investor: company establishment and licensing records, plus proof of qualifying shares.
- Family: marriage or birth certificates, sponsor identification and the principal resident’s passport and permit where applicable.
- Retirement: income or pension evidence and sponsorship documentation.
- Student: enrolment, institutional sponsorship and relevant education approval.
- Remote worker: overseas employment agreement and qualifying income evidence.
Foreign civil documents may need sworn translation and appropriate registration or legalisation. Names, dates and passport numbers should match throughout.
How to apply for a KITAS step by step
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Choose the category before arranging travel
Start with your actual activities, then identify the visa index, sponsor requirements and permitted duration. Settle these questions before signing a long lease or agreeing to a job start date.
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Confirm whether you need an offshore application
A common route is to obtain the appropriate limited stay eVisa before entering Indonesia. Some existing permits can instead be converted inside the country through alih status. A Visa on Arrival or visa-exempt stay cannot ordinarily be converted directly into an ITAS.
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Complete sponsorship and supporting approvals
Your employer, Indonesian spouse, educational institution or other eligible sponsor prepares the relevant documents. For employment, allow time for the manpower process before expecting the immigration application to be complete.
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Submit through the official eVisa portal
Use evisa.imigrasi.go.id . Check passport number, spelling, visa index and intended duration before submission, then retain the application reference and payment receipt.
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Review approval before entering Indonesia
Check the visa’s entry deadline and conditions. The period in which a visa may be used to enter is different from the residence period granted after arrival. For eligible eVisa routes, including E28A and E33G, the ITAS and re-entry permit are issued automatically after immigration grants entry.
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Complete registration and plan renewals
ITAS holders arriving from abroad must generally report to the local civil registry, Dukcapil, for an SKTT within 14 days of ITAS issuance. Stay-permit extensions require photographs and interviews at an immigration office from 29 May 2025, even when the application starts online.
KITAS costs in Indonesia in 2025
Government charges depend on the category and duration. Published examples include:
| Application example | Published government total |
|---|---|
| One-year E31A spouse application | IDR 6,000,000 |
| Two-year E31A spouse application | IDR 8,500,000 |
| E23 work application, up to 180 days | IDR 5,250,000 |
| E23 work application, one year | IDR 7,000,000 |
| E23 work application, two years | IDR 9,500,000 |
| One-year E33F retirement application | IDR 7,000,000 |
Published application totals can already incorporate specified immigration components. Avoid adding those components again when comparing quotes.
For employment, the employer generally also owes DKPTKA of US$100 per person, per position, per month, subject to exemptions. Agency assistance, translations, insurance, company establishment and travel are additional expenses where applicable.
Common KITAS mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a permit for its price: start with eligibility and permitted activities.
- Copying an outdated retirement checklist: use the applicable regulation and exact visa category.
- Confusing submission with approval: filing an application is not permission to begin a new activity.
- Leaving everything with an agent: retain your passport scans, approvals, receipts and permit copies.
- Ignoring changes after approval: moving home, changing employers or changing family circumstances can require immigration updates.
- Missing an expiry date: overstays can attract IDR 1 million per day in applicable cases, with deportation and entry restrictions possible.
Practical tips
Start document preparation several weeks ahead; treat that as a planning buffer, not a guaranteed processing time. Ask for a timeline covering sponsorship, approvals, immigration review and registration separately.
Keep digital and printed copies, set calendar reminders and check both your ITAS and re-entry permission before international travel. If you plan to leave Indonesia permanently, ask how to close your permit correctly.
Choose the correct category, keep control of your documents and confirm what your permit allows. Those habits matter more than finding someone who promises the fastest KITAS.
Official sources
- Juanda Immigration — limited stay permits
- Directorate General of Immigration — E23 work visa
- Directorate General of Immigration — E28A investor visa
- Directorate General of Immigration — E31A Indonesian spouse visa
- Directorate General of Immigration — E33F retirement visa
- Directorate General of Immigration — E33G remote-worker visa
- Ministry of Manpower Regulation 8 of 2021 — foreign workers and DKPTKA
- Immigration Law 6 of 2011 — Chapter V including Article 61
- Directorate General of Immigration — E33E five-year retirement visa
- Surakarta Immigration — conversion of stay permits
- Kediri Dukcapil — registration of foreign ITAS holders
- Directorate General of Immigration — extension attendance from 29 May 2025
- Central Jakarta Immigration — fee changes, 10 April 2025
- Directorate General of Immigration — updating an ITAS or ITAP address
- Yogyakarta Immigration — sanctions and overstay charges
- Depok Immigration — education and family permit categories
Sources checked on 2 October 2026. This article concerns the 2025 framework; live category pages may subsequently change. Confirm requirements for an individual application before committing funds, travel or work arrangements.