The Indonesia retirement visa, in legal terms a limited stay permit (KITAS) for people aged 55 or older, lets foreigners live in Indonesia without working. Most retirees first hear about it from forums, videos or friends who moved here. The lifestyle appeal is real, but the legal framework is rarely explained clearly. This guide covers who qualifies, how the two retirement permits differ, what you can and cannot do, and how it can lead to a permanent stay permit.
What Is the Indonesia Retirement Visa and Retirement KITAS?
Indonesia does not have a single product called a “retirement visa”. The retirement route sits in the “second home” category of Ministry of Law Regulation 22 of 2023 (Article 33(2)(j)), as amended by Regulation 11 of 2024. After the 2024 amendment, that category covers a second home, special skills, world figures, foreigners aged 55 or older, and remote workers.
The current visa classification, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections Decree M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025, assigns two index codes to retired foreigners: E33E and E33F. Once you arrive on the visa, it is converted into a limited stay permit, commonly called the retirement KITAS. For the other index codes, see our guide to the KITAS E-series, and for how this permit compares with other stay permits, see the types of KITAS in Indonesia.
E33E vs E33F: Which Retirement Permit Fits?
| Item | E33E | E33F |
| Minimum age | 55 | 55 |
| Maximum stay | Up to 5 years | Up to 1 year |
| Sponsor (penjamin) | Without a sponsor | Not stated in the decree |
| Family may join | Yes, if immigration rules are met | Yes, if immigration rules are met |
Source: Decree M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025 and Regulation 22 of 2023, Article 105(10)(d), as amended. Both permits allow the same activities and carry the same prohibitions. The difference is the length of stay, and for E33E, that no sponsor is needed.
Financial thresholds, such as a deposit or monthly pension, are not set out in the decree. They come from implementing policy and the practice of immigration offices and agents, and they change. Ask for the current figure in writing before you commit funds.
Who Qualifies for a Retirement KITAS?
The legal baseline is short:
- You are 55 years old or older.
- You hold a valid passport (the regulation requires at least six months of validity for visa applications).
- You can prove sufficient living costs while in Indonesia. The regulation leaves the amount to implementing rules.
- You are not planning to work or run an Indonesian operation.
In practice you should also expect to show proof of accommodation and health insurance that works in Indonesia, because immigration offices commonly ask for them. These items are common practice and are not itemised in the decree, so confirm what your office requires. If you are considering Indonesia for work or business instead, see KITAS and work permit services.
Explore Our Services KITAS and IMTA Handled Together for Your Foreign Staff
Documents and Requirements to Confirm Before You Apply
Prepare these first, then check them against the current checklist from your office or representative:
- Passport with sufficient validity and a recent photo
- Proof of living costs, such as pension statements or bank statements
- Proof of accommodation in Indonesia
- Health and travel insurance valid in Indonesia
- A statement that you will not work or do business in Indonesia
- Sworn translations of any foreign-language documents (use an Indonesian sworn translator, penerjemah tersumpah)
Missing or inconsistent documents are the most common reason for delay. Applications are screened under Regulation 22 of 2023, and an incomplete file can be refused or returned.
How the Application Works
- Choose the permit. E33E for a longer stay without a sponsor, E33F for up to one year.
- Prepare documents and have foreign documents translated.
- Apply for the visa through the official e-visa system (evisa.imigrasi.go.id), directly or through an authorised representative.
- Pay the state immigration fee (PNBP). Treat this as non-refundable if the application is refused.
- Enter Indonesia with the approved visa, which is then converted into a limited stay permit.
- Complete biometrics at the local immigration office and receive your permit card.
Processing times vary by office and season. Ask for a current estimate instead of relying on a fixed number. To renew, see our guide to renewing a KITAS in Indonesia.
Bringing Your Spouse and Children
Under the decree, retirees on E33E or E33F may bring family if immigration rules are met.
- Spouse: a dependent KITAS under index E31B (joining a spouse who holds a limited stay permit or permanent stay permit). A marriage conducted abroad should be legalised and, where required, translated.
- Unmarried children under 18: index E31E. This category stops at 18, so plan ahead; see what happens to a child’s KITAS status at age 18.
Dependents depend on your permit. If your permit ends or is cancelled, theirs cannot continue on that basis. Details, costs and rights are in our dependent visa guide, and our team can help with a dependent visa application.
Explore Our Services Dependent Visa in Indonesia
What You Can and Cannot Do on a Retirement KITAS
Rights (decree M.IP-08, E33E and E33F):
- Live in Indonesia for the permit period
- Carry out activities related to investment, business or buying goods
- Bring family if immigration rules are met
- Enter and leave Indonesia while your re-entry permit is valid
- Travel as a tourist and visit family
Obligations: obey Indonesian law, respect local customs, and keep sufficient living costs while in Indonesia.
Prohibitions:
- Overstaying the permit
- Selling goods or services directly
- Doing anything outside the listed activities, unless you have applied for an additional or changed activity
In practice, this is a permit for living, not working. Income from an Indonesian employer, operational roles and management positions in an Indonesian company are outside the listed activities. Violations can lead to administrative action, including cancellation, deportation and re-entry bans. If you want to run a business, discuss the correct permit with a licensed adviser first.
Tax Residency Implications
Under Indonesia’s Income Tax Law, a person present in Indonesia for more than 183 days in any 12-month period is generally a domestic tax subject, taxed on worldwide income. Retirees on a KITAS often cross that line. A tax number (NPWP) is typically required, and many countries have a tax treaty with Indonesia. How pension income is taxed depends on the treaty and the pension type, so get tax advice for your own situation before relocating. This section is general information, not tax advice.
Moving to a Retirement KITAP
Retired foreigners in the second-home category can apply to convert to a permanent stay permit (KITAP). Regulation 22 of 2023, Article 179(1), requires at least three consecutive years in Indonesia, counted from the date the limited stay permit was issued. Article 173 (as amended in 2024) lists the second-home group, including people aged 55 or older, among those who may convert.
A KITAP is valid for five years and can be renewed without a fixed limit, though it ends if the holder stays abroad for too long. See KITAS vs KITAP in Indonesia for the full requirements and process. Plan the application early, because it must be filed before the KITAS expires.
How XPND Helps With Retirement KITAS Applications
XPND prepares the application file, checks consistency, coordinates translation and submission, and handles renewals and the later KITAP conversion. Contact our team for a free initial consultation before you book flights or pay any deposit.
