Foreign nationals planning to stay in Indonesia for more than 60 days need more than a tourist visa. They need a Limited Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Terbatas or KITAS), a residence document that determines what you can legally do, how long you can stay, and who is responsible for sponsoring your presence in the country.
The challenge is that KITAS is not a single permit. There are several types, each designed for a different purpose and a different category of person. The categories, eligibility criteria, and validity periods for each type are defined under Immigration Law (Undang-Undang Keimigrasian or UU No. 6 of 2011) and its implementing regulations, most recently updated through Ministerial Regulation No. 22 of 2023 as amended by Ministerial Regulation No. 11 of 2024, all of which apply to the permit categories covered in this guide. Choosing the wrong type does not just cause delays. It can result in your application being rejected, your activities being flagged as non-compliant, or your employer facing sanctions. This guide covers all the types of KITAS in Indonesia currently in effect, what each one covers, and who it applies to.
Work KITAS
The Work KITAS is issued to foreign nationals employed by a legally registered entity in Indonesia. This includes companies structured as a Domestic Investment Company (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Dalam Negeri or PT PMDN), a Foreign Investment Company (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing or PT PMA), or a representative office.
Before a Work KITAS can be issued, the sponsoring company must first obtain approval for a Foreign Manpower Utilization Plan (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing or RPTKA) from the Ministry of Manpower. The company is also required to pay the Foreign Worker Compensation Fund (Dana Kompensasi Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing or DKP TKA) at a rate of USD 100 per month, paid in advance for the full permit duration.
A Work KITAS is valid for 12 or 24 months and can be extended. It also qualifies the holder for a Multiple Exit and Re-entry Permit (MERP), which allows travel abroad without invalidating the permit.
One important distinction: a Work KITAS is tied to a specific position at a specific company. If the foreign national changes employers or job titles, the permit must be updated accordingly.
Investor KITAS
The Investor KITAS is specifically designed for shareholders, directors, or commissioners of a PT PMA. Unlike a Work KITAS, it does not require a separate work permit or DKP-TKA payment, which makes it a more cost-efficient option for foreign investors who are actively involved in managing their Indonesian company.
Two capital thresholds apply here and they are worth distinguishing. Under BKPM Regulation No. 5 of 2025, the minimum paid-up capital for a PT PMA has been reduced to IDR 2.5 billion, while the minimum total investment per business classification code remains above IDR 10 billion. These are investment structuring rules governed by BKPM, and they do not directly determine KITAS eligibility.
The threshold required to qualify for an Investor KITAS is governed separately by immigration regulations, namely Ministerial Regulation No. 22 of 2023 as amended by Ministerial Regulation No. 11 of 2024. Under these rules, the minimum individual share ownership required to obtain an Investor KITAS is IDR 10 billion, supported by proof of share ownership. For an Investor KITAP, the threshold rises to IDR 15 billion. A reduction in paid-up capital under BKPM rules therefore does not automatically affect Investor KITAS eligibility, which remains tied to the immigration threshold.
An important distinction applies based on role. Directors who are listed in the company’s deed and actively manage operations are permitted to work under an Investor KITAS. Commissioners, on the other hand, may hold an Investor KITAS but are not permitted to carry out operational work functions.
The Investor KITAS is valid for up to two years and is renewable. After holding it consecutively for a minimum of three years with the same sponsor, the holder becomes eligible to apply for a Permanent Stay Permit (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap or KITAP).
For a deeper look at how Investor KITAS works alongside work permit requirements, XPND has covered this in detail in a dedicated article on Investor KITAS and work permits in Indonesia.
Spouse and Family KITAS
A Spouse KITAS is granted to a foreign national who is legally married to an Indonesian citizen. The Indonesian spouse acts as the sponsor and guarantor. This permit allows the foreign national to reside legally in Indonesia but does not grant the right to work or receive income from Indonesian sources.
Two index classifications apply under the current system. The E31A index applies when the sponsor is an individual Indonesian citizen, while the E31B index is used when the sponsoring party is a corporate entity. Applications are submitted entirely through the e-Visa portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
The validity period is typically one to two years and is renewable. After two consecutive years of marriage and uninterrupted KITAS validity, the foreign spouse becomes eligible to convert to a KITAP.
For foreign nationals who are dependents of an existing KITAS holder rather than a spouse of an Indonesian citizen, a Dependent KITAS applies. This covers spouses and children of foreign nationals already holding a valid KITAS in Indonesia. XPND has published a comprehensive guide on the documents required for a spouse dependent KITAS that covers the full document checklist and application process.
Retirement KITAS
The Retirement KITAS is available to foreign nationals aged 55 years and above who wish to live in Indonesia without engaging in any form of employment or income-generating activity. It is one of the few KITAS types that does not require a corporate sponsor. Instead, applications must be processed through a licensed retirement visa agent recognized by the Directorate General of Immigration (Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi).
The requirements include proof of sufficient monthly income or pension funds, valid health insurance covering the duration of stay, and proof of accommodation in Indonesia. The permit is valid for one year and is renewable, with a maximum cumulative stay typically set at five years depending on the applicant’s eligibility.
Student and Research KITAS
Foreign nationals enrolled in an accredited Indonesian educational institution or formally accepted into a research program at a recognized institution are eligible for a Student or Research KITAS. The sponsoring party is the educational or research institution itself, which must hold valid operational permits and be registered with the relevant government authority.
This permit does not allow the holder to work or receive compensation from Indonesian entities. The validity period corresponds to the duration of the academic program or research engagement, and extensions are possible as long as the institutional enrollment remains active. One practical note: if a Student KITAS holder completes their studies and wishes to transition into employment or investment in Indonesia, they must apply for a new permit category rather than simply extending the existing one.
Second Home KITAS
The Second Home KITAS, categorized under index E33G, is a relatively newer permit type introduced to attract long-term foreign residents and remote workers. It is valid for five or ten years, making it one of the longest-duration stay permits available to foreign nationals in Indonesia.
To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate proof of funds in an Indonesian bank account of at least USD 130,000, or provide proof of ownership of luxury property in Indonesia valued at a minimum of USD 1,000,000. The permit does not authorize the holder to work for or receive income from Indonesian companies, but it does allow the holder to carry out activities related to tourism, investment oversight, and personal management.
A Second Home KITAS holder can also sponsor eligible family members for a Dependent KITAS of equal validity.
Which Type of KITAS Applies to You
The table below provides a quick comparison across the main types of KITAS in Indonesia:
| Type | Sponsored By | Work Rights | Validity | Path to KITAP |
| Work KITAS | Indonesian company | Yes, for specified role | 12 or 24 months | After 5 consecutive years |
| Investor KITAS | Own PT PMA | Directors only | Up to 24 months | After 3 consecutive years |
| Spouse KITAS | Indonesian citizen spouse | No | 12 or 24 months | After 2 consecutive years |
| Dependent KITAS | KITAS holder sponsor | No | Follows sponsor’s permit | Varies |
| Retirement KITAS | Licensed agent | No | 12 months | After 4 consecutive years |
| Student/Research KITAS | Institution | No | Program duration | Not applicable |
| Second Home KITAS | Self-sponsored | No | 5 or 10 years | Not directly applicable |
One point worth noting: holding a KITAS of any type does not automatically give you the right to work in Indonesia unless that right is explicitly covered by your permit category. Engaging in work activities under a non-work KITAS is a compliance violation that can result in deportation and restrictions on future permit applications.
Getting the Right KITAS from the Start
The type of KITAS you apply for shapes everything that follows: your tax obligations, your ability to open a bank account, your right to sponsor family members, and your timeline toward KITAP eligibility. Getting it right from the beginning is significantly easier than correcting it after the fact.
XPND handles KITAS applications across all categories, from initial assessment of the correct permit type through to post-arrival reporting obligations. The team has experience with the full range of KITAS types covered in this guide, with offices in Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Batam, and Bali to support clients across Indonesia.
Whether you already know which type of KITAS you need and want to move forward quickly, or you are still working out which category applies to your situation, XPND can help at either stage. An initial consultation is available at no cost and can be arranged within 24 hours.
