There are two types of residence permits in Bali for foreigners. The limited stay permit is called KITAS and the permanent residence permit in Bali is called KITAP. For people considering living in Bali, there are several options depending on your status.
There are also several types of visa offering a short term stay permit but it doesn’t grant the applicant to reside in Indonesia. The government limits the number of days to 180 per year, unlike with the ITAS.
Getting a KITAS in Bali
Getting a KITAS in Bali is a key step for foreigners planning a long-term stay on the island. This involves meeting specific conditions to get a KITAS and fulfilling general obligations after obtaining the KITAS.
Conditions to get a KITAS in Bali
The KITAS is a limited stay permit granted to foreigners if they can obtain one of the following visas:
- Working visa for a person obtaining a working permit (IMTA)
- Spouse Visa (if they are married to an Indonesian citizen or somebody already having a KITAS
- Retirement visa
- Investor visa for people investing in a company
- Golden visa for HNWI
- Second home visa for people investing in a property or making a deposit in an Indonesian bank stating that they owned
- Student and Child visa
- Remote Worker Visa
- DJ or Entertainment visa
The KITAS (Limited Stay Permit) validity will depend on the validity period of the associated Indonesia visa. A single active stay permit is all a foreigner can possess in Indonesia at one time, even when they have invested in or work with multiple companies. The KITAS validity varies from 6 months to 5 years depending on the visa and government approval.
Foreigners may process the application for KITAS either in or out of Indonesia. In the event that the visa is approved while the foreigner is physically in Indonesia, they must exit and re-enter Indonesia to activate their KITAS. The applicant has 90 days after receiving the visa to travel to Indonesia to effectuate the activation of the KITAS.
Previously, the KITAS holders had to visit the local immigration office, surrender their passport, and provide fingerprints. This has now been removed. The KITAS now arrives directly in the email address of the applicant, streamlining the process and reducing administrative processing time for foreign investors or workers in Indonesia.
For foreigners planning to live or work in Indonesia, understanding the KITAS validity, renewal procedures, and visa regulations is essential to ensure legal compliance and a smooth stay in the country.
General process to get a resident permit in Bali
- Apply for the visa and provide the documents
- Wait inside or outside Indonesia
- Fly out if you are inside the country
- Enter the country through the autogate or immigration counter (smile)
- Get your KITAS by email
Also read: Planning to Move to Bali? Here’s Your Document Checklist
General Obligations after Obtaining the KITAS
The applicant has some obligations to comply with the regulations after the issuance of the KITAS. It might be from showing the proof of investment for the second home to proof of investment in a company for the Golden Visa. In a general way, here are the things to not forget:
- Apply for the letter of domiciliation (SKTT)
- Get a driving licence
- Declare your personal tax if you are subject to apply for NPWP (tax card)
- Pay your social security contributions if you are subject to
- Close your KITAS (EPO) if you plan to live in Indonesia
Your visa process made easy with ILA
Indonesia has so many visas to choose from, each with its own requirements, regulations, and duration. With more constantly being issued by the government, it can be hard to keep track and choose one that is right for you.
With the help of ILA, you can be sure that you’ll get the best visa for your needs as quickly and efficiently as possible without having to worry about any missing documents.
Whether you’re looking for an Investor KITAS, Working KITAS, Second Home Visa, Spouse KITAS, Multiple Entry Business Visa or Remote Worker Visa, we can help make the process efficient and smooth.
Schedule a free consultation today or learn more about the different visa options.
KITAP
For foreigners staying in Indonesia for more than 5 years or married with an Indonesian for more than 2 years, there is a possibility to convert a KITAS into a KITAP. The KITAP is a permanent stay permit valid for 5 years. It is a multiple entry stay permit. The conditions to obtain the KITAP vary depending on the type of visa.
The process to obtain a permanent residence permit in Bali (KITAP) takes several months and we recommend the applicant to start the process a few months before the expiration of the KITAS. The applicant needs to have the same sponsor during the last 5 years in order to facilitate the process and avoid the rejection. The KITAP application should be planned well in advance.
The KITAP provides some benefits:
- Getting a KTP (Indonesian ID Card)
- Residence permit for 5 years
- Lower cost compared to renewing KITAS
- Considered a permanent foreigner in the country
Contact us to define which KITAS would suit your profile and how to apply to live permanently in Indonesia.
