KITAP Indonesia: How to Obtain a Permanent Stay Permit

KITAP Indonesia is the highest goal for foreigners wanting to reside in the Archipelago. Unfortunately, as with all things that many people wish to do, it is not easy to attain.

In this article, you will read everything you need about KITAP — Indonesia’s permanent stay permit and how to obtain it. Find out below if you are among the lucky ones eligible to get this holy grail of stay permits in Indonesia.

Before going further about KITAP, you might want to learn more about a limited stay permit called KITAS Indonesia— the first step of your KITAP application.

What Is a KITAP Indonesia

KITAP stands for Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap, which translates as permanent stay permit card.

Unlike any other visa in Indonesia, the KITAP is valid for five years. If, after five years, there are no changes to the status of the ex-pat, the visa is extended automatically. However, for foreigners who don’t enter Indonesia within one year, the validity of KITAP is automatically void. Therefore, the only thing you need to do is apply for a new card.

A permanent residence permit visa means no more annual trips to immigration (as in the case of KITAS/ITAS), no more costly visa extensions, and no more piles of paperwork. No wonder strict rules apply.

What are the Types of KITAP?

There are various types of KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit) in Indonesia, each with specific requirements based on eligibility. Here are a couple of examples:

KITAP for Foreigners with an Indonesian Spouse:

• If you are legally married to an Indonesian, you can convert your KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) to a KITAP after two years of marriage, with your spouse as the sponsor. Note that having a KITAS is a prerequisite for KITAP application, and the marriage automatically qualifies you.
• After obtaining KITAP twice, a foreigner becomes eligible to apply for citizenship through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

KITAP for Foreign Investors, Directors, and Commissioners in Indonesian Companies:

• Foreign investors, directors, and commissioners working for an Indonesian company can apply for KITAP after five consecutive years in the same position with the company.

Adhering to specific conditions, these categories allow individuals to secure different types of KITAP in Indonesia.

How to Get a Permanent Stay Permit in Indonesia?

You can only apply for a KITAP Indonesia once you have gotten a KITAS/ITAS (limited stay permit) and extended this visa multiple times.

How to get this visa depends on the applicant — which leads us to the following question:

Who Can Apply for a KITAP Indonesia?

As mentioned before, unfortunately, not anyone can apply for this ultimate stay visa to Indonesia.

The only eligible candidates to get a KITAP are:

• Foreigners with an Indonesian spouse
• Foreign investors, directors, or commissioners in an Indonesian Company (PT PMA)
• Foreigners wanting to retire in Indonesia
• Indonesians regaining their citizenship

KITAP Indonesia: Requirements and Conditions

The requirements and conditions are not all the same for the above-mentioned eligible candidates, so let’s take a look at them one by one:

KITAP for Foreigners With an Indonesian Spouse

Foreigners legally married to an Indonesian can convert their KITAS/ITAS into a KITAP after two years of marriage. Your spouse will be the sponsor.

You cannot apply for a permanent visa if you haven’t had a KITAS/ITAS first. The marriage doesn’t make you eligible for a permanent stay permit.

If your marriage has lasted ten years or more, your KITAP will be for life, also in case of divorce.

Another major plus for those married to an Indonesian is that with a spouse-sponsored KITAP, you have the right to work in Indonesia under certain conditions. (You can read more about this further in this KITAP guide — scroll down to ‘Can you work with a KITAP.’)

READ MORE:

• Spouse Visa in Indonesia

Foreign Investors, Directors, and Commissioners Working in an Indonesian Company

The candidates mentioned above can apply for the KITAP once they have worked in the same position with the same Indonesian company for four years in a row.

Retirees

Retirees can apply for a KITAP once they reach 55 years of age, after four extensions of their KITAS/ITAS.

Indonesians retaining their citizenship

There are no particular restrictions or obligations for Indonesians to retain their citizenship.

Can You Work with a KITAP?

Only those married to an Indonesian have the right to work in Indonesia once they have attained their KITAP to provide for their family.

Restrictions apply, and there are, basically, two options.

First, you can work for a company if the company obtains the work permit for you (RPTKA) — this is a lot cheaper for the company than having to pay for the KITAP, so there is more chance of getting a job.

Secondly, they can start a business as a sole entrepreneur, meaning they cannot hire anyone, but they will avoid the hassle of getting work permits and such.

How to Apply for a KITAP?

Although the application requirements differ, all eligible candidates must have a sponsor. This can be your Indonesian spouse, a PT PMA company, or a trustable agent like InCorp. It takes a lot of paperwork, time, and effort, but ultimately, it is worth it!

Retirees and foreign investors need the same documents for their applications. The following are the most important:

• Your Passport
• Your KITAS/ITAS
• Sponsor letter
• Indonesian ID (KTP) of your sponsor
• Tax Obligation Main Number (NPWP)

Foreign investors also need to bring their work permit (RPTKA) and the legal documents of the sponsoring company.

How do you get a Permanent Stay Permit?

You can get a Permanent Stay Permit in two ways:

Through Conversion of Status

If you have a Limited Stay Permit as a clergy, worker, investor, or senior, or if you’re part of a mixed marriage or used to be an Indonesian national, you can apply for a Permanent Stay Permit.

Through Direct Granting without Conversion

If you’re a child who chose foreign citizenship, a newborn of a foreigner with a Permanent Stay Permit, or an Indonesian national deprived of citizenship, you can directly apply for a Permanent Stay Permit.

What are the Benefits of KITAP?

Well, the most apparent benefit of the KITAP is that you are allowed to stay in the country without extending the visa again, which is costly and time-consuming, but there are many more advantages. You can apply for the following:

• Indonesian ID with a validity of five years
• local driver’s license (SIM) with a validity of five years
• bank account
• credit card
• loan
• local prices to tourist attractions, paying only a fraction of what tourists pay
• MERP with a validity of two years, allowing you to enter and exit the country as you like

For those married to an Indonesian: Eligible for joint ownership of property with your spouse

How Long Does the Process Take?

The process usually takes approximately three months.

With the help of an agency like InCorp Indonesia, you can do it the fastest way possible, smoothly and efficiently. We know that a visa application can be a headache, going here and there, finding out something is missing at the last minute, unclarity with rules, etc.

We advise taking a lot of time and diving into the pile of requirements and needed documents way before your KITAS/ITAS expires to avoid unnecessary disappointment. Also, check the latest regulations with your agency or the local immigration office, as rules might change.

Can a Permanent Stay Permit be Canceled?

Yes, a permanent stay permit can be canceled if the permit holder:

1. Engages in crimes against the state as defined by the law.
2. Participates in activities that jeopardize state security.
3. Violates the Integration Statement.
4. Hires expatriates without the required work permit.
5. Provides false information during the Permanent Stay Permit application.
6. Faces Immigration Administrative Act penalties.
7. Experiences a legitimate divorce from an Indonesian spouse, but only if the marriage lasted less than 10 years.

The cancellation is carried out by stamping the foreigner’s passport with a voidance mark and withdrawing the Permanent Stay Permit card. The affected individual is informed in writing, including the reasons for the cancellation.

Get Your Sponsorship with InCorp Indonesia

Like many other visas in Indonesia, to get the KITAP, you need a local sponsor. Those married to Indonesian have their partner to be their sponsor, but retirees have to look elsewhere. InCorp Indonesia can be your sponsor. Fill in the form below, and we will reply soon.