Reviewed by Florent Delente, Founder, ILA Global Consulting. Last updated: October 2026.
A KITAS is Indonesia’s limited stay permit (ITAS), the document that lets you live in Bali for 6 months to 5 years at a time. You first get an index visa that matches your purpose (work E23, investor E28A, spouse E31A, retirement E33F, second home E33, remote worker E33G), then the ITAS is issued electronically when you enter Indonesia or, in some cases, by converting your visit permit without leaving. Official government fees run from IDR 5,250,000 to IDR 13,000,000 depending on the index and length of stay, and immigration decides the visa within 5 working days of payment. After approval you still have local registration to do, chiefly the SKTT at the regency civil registry.
Below: each KITAS type with its current index code, sponsor, government cost and timeline, plus onshore conversion, the KITAP path and your duties after approval. If you would rather hand the file over, our KITAS and KITAP team can confirm which index fits you before you pay anything to the government.
All rupiah figures below come from the Directorate General of Immigration. US dollar equivalents use about IDR 17,900 to USD 1, the Bank Indonesia JISDOR reference rate in early October 2026, so treat them as rough.
What is a KITAS, and how is it different from a visa?
“KITAS” is used for two separate things, and mixing them up causes many avoidable mistakes.
- The visa is your entry ticket. For residence it is a Visa Tinggal Terbatas (limited stay visa) with an index code such as E28A. Once issued, it must be used to enter Indonesia within 90 days or it lapses and you start over.
- The ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas, limited stay permit) is the permission to live here. KITAS is the old name for the card version (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas). Today there is no plastic card: the ITAS and its re-entry permit are generated automatically once an immigration officer admits you at the border, and are sent to you or your sponsor by email.
The index codes are set by Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections No. M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025 on visa classification, under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on visas and stay permits (amended by No. 11 of 2024). Old codes like C312, C313 or C317 signal outdated material.
You can hold only one stay permit at a time, so pick one basis and live by its rules.
Which KITAS types can you get in Bali, and what do they cost?
Every figure in this table is the official PNBP (non-tax state revenue, meaning the government fee) published on the immigration website for each index. Agent or legal fees come on top.
| Index | Who it is for | Stay options | Sponsor | Core requirement | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E23 Working | Employees of an Indonesian company | 180 days, 1 year or 2 years | Employer | Work permit (RPTKA) approved by the Ministry of Manpower | IDR 5,250,000 / 7,000,000 / 9,500,000 (about USD 293 / 391 / 531) |
| E28A Investor | Shareholders of a PT PMA, who may also sit as director or commissioner | 1 or 2 years | Your company | Shares worth at least IDR 10 billion (about USD 559,000) in your own name | IDR 7,000,000 / 9,500,000 (about USD 391 / 531) |
| E31A Spouse of an Indonesian | Foreign husband or wife of an Indonesian citizen | 1 or 2 years | Indonesian spouse | Marriage registered with the Indonesian authorities, certificate translated by a sworn translator | IDR 6,000,000 / 8,500,000 (about USD 335 / 475) |
| E31B, E31E Dependants | Spouse (E31B) or child (E31E) of a KITAS or KITAP holder | Follows the main permit | Main permit holder | Proof of family relationship | Billed on application |
| E33F Retirement, 1 year | Retirees aged 55 or over | 1 year, renewable | Required | Pension or income of at least USD 3,000 a month | IDR 7,000,000 (about USD 391) |
| E33E Retirement, 5 years | Retirees aged 55 or over | Up to 5 years, 10 years in total | None | USD 50,000 in your own account at a state-owned bank within 90 days | IDR 13,000,000 (about USD 726) |
| E33 Second Home | Foreigners with substantial funds who want long residence | Up to 5 years, 10 years in total | None | USD 130,000 in your own account at a state-owned bank within 90 days | IDR 13,000,000 (about USD 726) |
| E33G Remote Worker | People employed by a company outside Indonesia | 1 year | None | Income of at least USD 60,000 a year plus an employment contract with a foreign company | IDR 7,000,000 (about USD 391) |
Every index also needs the same base file: a passport valid at least 6 months (in practice, longer than the permit you want), a recent colour photo, a CV, a travel itinerary and a 3 month bank statement showing at least USD 2,000 in your or your sponsor’s name.
The fee is a package. The one year E28A fee of IDR 7,000,000 covers the visa (IDR 500,000), verification (IDR 2,000,000), the ITAS (IDR 3,000,000) and the re-entry permit (IDR 1,500,000), which is why you can fly in and out freely while the ITAS is valid.
Which one fits you?
- You will be on an Indonesian payroll. E23. Your employer applies for the RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing, foreign worker utilisation plan) first, pays the DKP TKA compensation fund of USD 100 per month per foreign worker, and names an Indonesian counterpart who will work alongside you.
- You own a business here. E28A, but only if your personal shareholding reaches IDR 10 billion. Immigration states that if your shares are below that and you are a director or commissioner, you must take a working visa for that position instead. This catches founders whose company was set up with less capital. Our PT PMA compliance guide covers the company side.
- You are married to an Indonesian. E31A, sponsored by your spouse. A foreign marriage never reported to an Indonesian embassy or civil registry will stall the file.
- You are retiring. E33F for a one year permit renewed annually, E33E if you can place USD 50,000 at a state bank and prefer 5 years at once.
- You work online for a foreign employer. E33G. No Indonesian-source income and no work for Indonesian companies.
- You have significant capital. E33 Second Home, or the Golden Visa tiers (E28B and up), which start around USD 2.5 million for the company route according to market summaries.
How does the KITAS process work, step by step?
For most people the route is offshore: the visa is approved while you are outside Indonesia, or while you are inside but then fly out and back in to activate it.
- Your sponsor opens an account on evisa.imigrasi.go.id. For E33G, which needs no sponsor, you apply yourself.
- Upload the file. Base documents plus the index-specific ones from the table above.
- Pay the billing code. The system issues it after submission. Payment goes through designated banks.
- Wait for the decision. Immigration’s published service standard is 5 working days after payment is received.
- Enter Indonesia within 90 days. At the border (Ngurah Rai airport for most Bali residents) the officer admits you, takes your photo and fingerprints, and the ITAS and re-entry permit are issued automatically. If you were already in Bali when the visa came through, you must leave and re-enter to trigger this.
- Receive the e-ITAS by email. Print it and keep it with your passport.
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Official or typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RPTKA (E23 only) | 2 working days for the Ministry’s assessment once the file is accepted | Can stretch if the Ministry calls a video clarification |
| Whole work KITAS, from documents to ITAS | About 6 to 8 weeks (law firm estimate) | Depends on file quality and immigration workload |
| Visa decision | 5 working days after payment | Missing documents restart the clock |
| Window to enter Indonesia | 90 days from visa issuance | Unused visa lapses |
| Deposit for E33 or E33E | Within 90 days of the ITAS | Report proof to the immigration office that issued the ITAS |
| SKTT registration | Within 14 days of the ITAS | See the post-approval section |
Can you get a KITAS without leaving Bali?
Yes, through alih status (change of status), but only from the right starting point. Immigration allows a visit stay permit (ITK) to be converted into an ITAS for work, investment, family reunification, second home, research, education, medical treatment, repatriation, clergy roles and humanitarian reasons.
The trap: an ITK that came from a Visa on Arrival or a visa-free entry cannot be converted. If you landed on a VOA, you will have to leave and come back on the new visa. If you entered on a visit e-visa from the index list, conversion is possible.
How onshore conversion works:
- Your sponsor (or you, where no sponsor is needed) applies to the head of the local immigration office through the application, before your visit permit expires. Immigration’s guidance points to filing within the last 30 days of the ITK.
- You attend the immigration office for a photo, and payment is verified.
- If the office flags a missing or wrong document, you have 2 days to fix it or the application is rejected.
- The office forwards the file to the Director General within 3 working days of payment, and the Director General decides within 5 working days after that. The ITAS arrives electronically.
- If you file and pay before your visit permit expires, the processing time after that date is not counted as overstay.
Apply at the immigration office that covers the address where you actually live.
What must you do after your KITAS is approved?
The ITAS in your inbox is not the end. These steps keep you legal and avoid fines later.
| Obligation | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| SKTT (residence certificate) | Disdukcapil, the civil registry office of your regency or city | Within 14 days of the ITAS |
| Report to your banjar or village | Local village office (desa or kelurahan) | Many Bali villages ask newcomers to report within 1 x 24 hours |
| Police registration (STM) | Local police | No longer needed for most foreigners since 10 March 2025 |
| Tax registration (NPWP) | Tax office or online | Once you become tax resident, usually after 183 days in 12 months |
| Social security (BPJS) | Through your employer | For E23 workers, on joining the payroll |
| Report changes of address, employer or civil status | Immigration and Disdukcapil | As soon as they happen |
| Exit Permit Only (EPO) | Immigration | Before you leave Indonesia for good, IDR 100,000 |
SKTT: the step people skip
The SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal, certificate of residence) is required by Article 20 of Law No. 23 of 2006 on Population Administration, as amended by Law No. 24 of 2013. ITAS holders must report to the civil registry, the SKTT is valid for as long as your ITAS, and you must carry it. Not carrying it can bring an administrative fine of up to IDR 100,000.
Typical documents are your passport, the e-ITAS, the biodata form (F-1.01), photos and your sponsor’s ID and family card. Bali offices also ask for a letter from your village, and requirements vary between Badung, Denpasar and Gianyar, so check with your own office or let our SKTT service handle it. Banks and the driving licence office often ask for the SKTT as proof of address.
Police registration: what changed in 2025
The STM (Surat Tanda Melapor, police report letter) used to be standard for every KITAS holder. Police Regulation No. 3 of 2025, effective 10 March 2025, ended the general requirement: it now applies to journalism or research in designated areas, when the sponsor asks for it. If an agent bills you for an STM on an investor or retirement KITAS, ask why.
How do you extend a KITAS, and what happens if you overstay?
Extensions are filed online by the sponsor through the e-Visa account. Start at least a month ahead, because a correction request with a 2 day deadline can land at the worst moment.
Overstay is expensive. The fine is IDR 1,000,000 (about USD 56) per day for up to 60 days, payable in cash rupiah when you leave. Beyond 60 days there is no fine: you face detention, deportation at your own cost and a possible ban on returning.
When can you switch from KITAS to KITAP?
The KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap, permanent stay permit, officially ITAP) removes yearly renewals and, for many families, is the real goal.
Who qualifies:
- Workers, investors, clergy and retirees aged 60 or over, after 3 consecutive years on an ITAS from the date it was first granted.
- Spouses of Indonesian citizens once the marriage has lasted at least 2 years.
- Children under 18 who are unmarried, joining a parent who holds a KITAP, and foreign children of an Indonesian parent.
- Former Indonesian citizens.
What the file needs: a valid passport, your current ITAS, the sponsor’s guarantee and ID, and an integration statement (pernyataan integrasi, a signed commitment to Indonesian law and society). If your original permit was based on a commitment, such as the second home deposit or investor shareholding, you must also prove you kept it: recent bank statements, updated company deed, latest shareholding, financial reports and tax filings.
Processing: the same pattern as onshore conversion. 3 working days for the office to forward, 5 working days for the Director General to decide.
Cost and validity: a 5 year ITAP costs IDR 7,000,000 (about USD 391) and a 5 year re-entry permit IDR 3,500,000 (about USD 196). The ITAP can then be extended without a time limit, as long as the basis still holds.
| KITAS (ITAS) | KITAP (ITAP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 6 months to 5 years depending on index | 5 years, extendable indefinitely |
| Renewal | Each year or two for most indexes | Every 5 years |
| Indonesian ID card | No, SKTT instead | Yes, ITAP holders must hold a foreigner KTP-el |
| Typical wait to qualify | None | 3 consecutive years on ITAS, or 2 years of marriage to an Indonesian |
| Sponsor dependency | High | Still needed, but the permit is far more stable |
If your sponsor relationship ends (you sell the company, divorce, or your employer closes), your permit basis can fall with it. Get advice before those events, not after. Our KITAP permanent stay page covers the conversion file.
Common mistakes that cost Bali residents money
- E28A with too few shares. Below IDR 10 billion, the correct permit is a working KITAS tied to your position.
- Landing on a VOA and hoping to convert. It cannot be done onshore.
- Letting the visa or deposit deadline pass. 90 days to enter, 90 days to place the E33 or E33E deposit.
- Working on the wrong permit. E33G and E33F holders may not take Indonesian-source work. Penalties include deportation.
- Ignoring tax. More than 183 days here can make you tax resident on worldwide income. Read how to become tax resident in Bali first.
Ready to start your KITAS?
The right index depends on details a quick search will not settle: where your income comes from, how your shares are held, if your marriage is registered, and how long you plan to stay. Getting that wrong means paying the government fee twice.
Book a call with our KITAS and KITAP team and we will confirm the index, the document list and the timeline for your situation before anything is filed.
Want this guide offline? Get the free PDF version, or browse all 27 free ILA guides.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a KITAS cost in Bali in 2026?
The government fee ranges from IDR 5,250,000 (about USD 293) for a 180 day working ITAS to IDR 13,000,000 (about USD 726) for the 5 year second home or retirement permits. One year investor, working, retirement and remote worker permits cost IDR 7,000,000. Agent or lawyer fees are extra.
How long does it take to get a KITAS?
Immigration decides the visa within 5 working days of payment. A work KITAS, including the Ministry of Manpower RPTKA, typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from document preparation to ITAS. Retirement, spouse and remote worker files are usually faster because there is no work permit stage.
Do I still need a police report (STM) with my KITAS?
In most cases no. Police Regulation No. 3 of 2025 ended the general STM requirement from 10 March 2025. It remains for journalism and research in designated areas when the sponsor requests it.
What is the SKTT and is it mandatory?
The SKTT is the residence certificate issued by the regency civil registry (Disdukcapil). The Population Administration Law requires ITAS holders to register, and the commonly cited deadline is 14 days after the ITAS is issued. It is valid as long as your ITAS.
When can I get a KITAP?
Workers, investors, clergy and retirees can apply after 3 consecutive years on an ITAS. Spouses of Indonesian citizens can apply once the marriage has lasted 2 years. The 5 year ITAP costs IDR 7,000,000 plus the re-entry permit.
Can my family join me on my KITAS?
Yes. Your spouse can apply under E31B and children under E31E, sponsored by you. Their permits follow yours, so if your KITAS ends or is cancelled, theirs end too.
Sources
- E28A Visa Investor, Directorate General of Immigration
- E23 Visa Kerja, Directorate General of Immigration
- E31A Visa Keluarga Suami/Istri WNI, Directorate General of Immigration
- E31B Visa Keluarga Suami/Istri Pemegang ITAS/ITAP, Directorate General of Immigration
- E31E Visa Keluarga Anak Pemegang ITAS/ITAP, Directorate General of Immigration
- E33F Visa Rumah Kedua Lansia 1 Tahun, Directorate General of Immigration
- E33E Visa Rumah Kedua Lansia 5 Tahun, Directorate General of Immigration
- E33 Visa Rumah Kedua, Directorate General of Immigration
- E33G Visa Rumah Kedua Pekerja Jarak Jauh, Directorate General of Immigration
- Alih Status ITK menjadi ITAS, Directorate General of Immigration
- Alih Status ITAS menjadi ITAP, Directorate General of Immigration
- FAQ: Alih status dari ITAS ke ITAP, Directorate General of Immigration
- Daftar Tarif PNBP Keimigrasian, Kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Pusat
- Getting Indonesia’s Visa and Limited Stay Permit (ITAS), BINUS International Office, July 2026
- Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri dan Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal untuk WNA, Hukumonline
- Imigrasi Denpasar sebut tidak tangani administrasi kependudukan WNA, Antara Bali, November 2024
- Temporary Residential Card (SKTT), ITB Partnership Office
- Police Report Certificate (STM) No Longer Required for Most Foreign Workers, Makarim & Taira S.
- WNA yang miliki Izin Tinggal Tetap wajib punya KTP-el, Sekretariat Kabinet
- Hiring Expatriates in Indonesia: Work Permits, RPTKA, and Quota Rules, DFDL, August 2026
- How to apply for RPTKA in Indonesia 2026, XPND
- Indonesia KITAS E-Series 2026: E23, E28A, E33 Explained, XPND
- Investor KITAS in Bali (E28A) 2026 and Golden Visa tiers, Emerhub
- Indonesia: visa overstay and deportation, GOV.UK
- Rupiah exchange rate strengthens to IDR 17,903 per US dollar (2 October 2026), Databoks Katadata
- Perubahan tarif PNBP di Kementerian Hukum melalui PP 30/2026, SW Indonesia
