Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia consisting of thousands of islands. It’s well-known for its rich culture and stunning scenery, such as Bali and Raja Ampat. It’s no wonder that you’d want to get a residency there!
However, you must first obtain a visa to get residency in Indonesia. For you to be eligible for a Limited Stay Visa or “long-term” visa, there are different requirements that you should meet.
Various types of long-term visas in Indonesia
Before anything else, remember that you still need to apply for a long-term stay visa to become a permanent resident in the country. A long-term permit is essential because Indonesia has to know whether you, an expatriate, have all the right reasons to live there permanently.
Indonesia offers a variety of long-term visas that you can choose from. They’re divided into Limited Stay Permits, and Permanent Stay Permits.
ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is a Limited Stay Permit given to people whenever they visit the country for work, education, and the like. It’s the stamp that the immigration officer puts on your passport. It’s vital because permanent residency in Indonesia requires ITAS.
The following is the scope of ITAS:
1. Temporary stay visa for work
This kind of visa is for foreign experts that’ll work in Indonesia, specifically those employed by their sponsors. According to Indonesia’s Immigration, these are the type of work covered by the visa:
- Working as an expert (employed by the sponsor)
- Working on vessels, floating infrastructures, territorial seas, and EEZ of Indonesia
- Working as an expert in goods or production quality control
- Auditor or Inspector
- After-sales services
- Machinery or engine repair
- Construction
- Film expert
- Experts invited by the sponsor to undergo a skills qualification test
Suppose your work fits any of the work descriptions mentioned. In that case, Indonesia will allow you to stay in the country for a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years, depending on your application. The visa is also extendable.
2. One-year and two-year temporary stay visa for foreign investors
This visa is for those planning to invest or have already invested ample capital in Indonesia. With that, you can get either a One-Year or Two-Year visa specifically for investors. However, you’re only allowed to stay in the country as an investor; you’re not allowed to work.
It’s up to your discretion on how long your stay will be. The only difference between One-Year and Two-Year stays is its requirement. The former requires a passport with a minimum of 18 months of validity, while the latter requires 30 months of validity. Additionally, both types are extendable.
3. Temporary stay visa for training or scientific research
It’s the visa granted to those who undergo training or conduct scientific research. You need to obtain permission from the government agency you’ll be working for.
Moreover, this visa is also extendable, and you’re allowed to stay in the country for up to two years. Still, it depends on your application.
4. Temporary stay visa for study
A student visa is specifically for foreign people who intend to study at an Indonesian educational institution. Of course, students with student visas can’t have jobs in the country.
The permit is extendable, and you can stay in the country for two years. It can be longer depending on the number of semesters you’ll take.
5. Temporary stay visa for joining family
This visa is for people who want to join their families in Indonesia. If your wife or husband lives in Indonesia, you can apply for this visa if your relationship with them is legal.
Additionally, for those with partners or families who aren’t Indonesian, but currently residing in the country, you can join them by applying for this visa as well. Though you should ensure that their ITAS or ITAP is valid because it’s one of the requirements.
You can stay in the country for two years, but it’s extendable like the rest.
6. Retirement visa
People 55 years old and above who want to stay permanently in Indonesia should get a retirement visa.
It requires proof of funds, such as bank account statements or proof of pension. Since you can’t work in the country, you should have means of sustaining yourself. You should receive at least $18,000 per year to be eligible for this visa.
Retirement visas are valid for one year, but they’re renewable annually for up to five years.
7. Second-home visa
Second-Home Visa is the newest type of visa that Indonesian Immigration has launched. It’s best suited for investors, travelers, or retirees who want to stay in the country for more than five years.
The country created this visa because it improves national tourism, especially in places, such as Bali. Furthermore, it’s projected to replace retirement visas because they both have the same purpose.
The visa’s main requirement is proof of funds. You need to have a bank account with at least Rp2,000,000,000 (two billion rupiahs) or $140,000 (USD). Moreover, you should transfer the amount to an Indonesian government-owned bank such as Bank Negara Indonesia.
Note that the visa is valid for up to ten years.
Are all ITAS holders eligible for a permanent residence permit?
According to Article 54 of Indonesia’s Law on Immigration, the following can acquire a permanent residence permit or ITAP:
- Foreign national who has a Temporary Residence Permit (ITAS) as an expatriate worker, investor, retiree, or religious cleric
- A member of a mixed-marriage family
- Husband, wife, or child of a foreign national who holds an ITAP
- Foreign national who’s a former Indonesian citizen
- Foreign nationals holding dual citizenship of another country and the Republic of Indonesia
- Retired foreigner
When it comes to children, the official website of Indonesia’s Immigration states that they can grant ITAP to the following:
- An unmarried child under 18 years old who’ll join their parents with an ITAP
- Former children of dual nationality
- Children of foreign nationality under the age of 18 with a Foreign National parent who’s legally married to an Indonesian Citizen
Technically, anyone can acquire an ITAP. Remember that belonging to the said categories doesn’t automatically mean that the Immigrations Office will approve your request.
How do I apply for permanent residency after applying for ITAS?
After securing an ITAS, you should stay in Indonesia for three consecutive years before you can apply for a permanent stay permit or ITAP (Izin Tinggal Tetap). It’s the only way for you to become a permanent resident of the country.
ITAP allows foreign nationals to reside in the country as official Indonesian residents. You should apply and submit the requirements no later than 30 days before the ITAS expires. Moreover, its validity lasts for five years, and it’s renewable five times.
To apply for an ITAP, you should follow this process:
- Acquire a sponsorship letter from a local Indonesian company.
- Acquire a recommendation from the Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia.
- Pass the sponsorship letter, recommendation, and other necessary documents to the Indonesian Embassy.
After doing all of those, you may convert your ITAS to an ITAP. Once you receive your ITAP, you are now a permanent resident of Indonesia.
Although you should keep in mind that they can revoke your residency if you abuse or misuse the status granted to you. It’ll also get revoked if you’re found guilty of participating in illegal activities.
What do I need to apply for a permanent residence permit?
When you’re eligible to apply for an ITAP, you should prepare the requirements, sponsorship letter, and recommendation from the Directorate General of Immigration.
If your sponsor is your spouse, you’ll need the following:
- Valid ID and Valid Passport
- Certificate of Residence
- Current ITAS
- Current Civil Registration (Police Report, Expatriate Identity Card)
- Marriage documents (books, registrations, or certificates)
- ID Card (KTP or Residential Identity Card) of Indonesian spouse
- Family Registered Card (Kartu Keluarga) of the spouse
- Reference Letter from the embassy of the foreigner
- Letter of Domicile
On the other hand, these are the requirements for retirees and investors:
- Original Passport
- Copy of the history of the first up to the fourth ITAS
- Copy of the current RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan)
- Copy of current IMTA (Work Permit)
- Copy of company documents, such as business license, notarial deed, approval from Ministry of Law and Human Rights, NPWP, TDP, and domicile
- Original ITAS
- DPKK (Skill and Development Fund Fee) payment proof
There are special requirements for expatriates who are children, people with dual citizenship, and clerics. You’ll have to consult Indonesia’s Immigration for that.
In addition, the processing of ITAP takes four to six weeks from the submission of the documents.
Lifetime ITAP
If you’ve lived in Indonesia for over five years, you’re eligible for an Unlimited Stay Permit or Lifetime ITAP. To apply for this, you should contact the Immigration Office when renewing your ITAP.
Even though your ITAP will last forever, you still have to report to the Immigration Office every five years.
Moreover, you should keep in mind that your lifetime ITAP is at risk of getting revoked if you do the following:
- You left Indonesia for more than a year.
- You became an Indonesian citizen.
- You didn’t extend your ITAP after five years.
- You have committed a crime.
- Your visa got revoked by an Immigration Officer.
- You are subject to deportation.
- You participated in activities that put the state’s security at risk.
- You provided false information in your ITAP.
- You violated the Integration Statement.
Divorcing your Indonesian spouse is also why your lifetime ITAP might get revoked. Although you can still get a new one, depending on the court’s decision.
Lastly, your former spouse can still be your sponsor for a new ITAP, but they need to replace their status from “Penanggung Jawab” (Person Responsible) to “Penjamin” (Guarantor).
Benefits of long-term visas
Having a Permanent Residence Permit or ITAP carries an abundance of benefits. It doesn’t only allow you to work in Indonesia, but it also permits you to own a car or even open a bank account.
Here are more benefits that you can enjoy when you have an ITAP:
- Apply for loans
- Acquire a legal tax identification number
- Acquire an Indonesian identity card that’s valid for five years
- Eligible to become a company director
- Own a property with your Indonesian spouse
- Two-year multiple-entry permit
- Enjoy local prices when visiting tourist attractions
With these benefits, it’s almost as if you’re already an Indonesian citizen!
How much do ITAS and ITAP cost?
Now that you know the requirements needed, the difference between ITAS and ITAP, and the latter’s benefits, it’s time to go over its cost.
Limited Stay Permit (ITAS)
The price for ITAS varies, depending on the type of visa that you’re applying for. However, the initial visa you’ll get upon arrival costs $50.
Furthermore, for the conversion of initial visas into ITAS, the cost relies on the length of validity. The charge is Rp1 million or $65 for six months. For 12 months, it costs Rp1.5 million or $90. Lastly, it costs Rp2 million or $130 for a two-year validity.
Second-Home visas are on the pricier side, costing Rp3 million or $195 per applicant. For a five-year validity ITAS, it costs Rp12 million or $770 for the principal applicant. The cost for the dependent applicants is RP3.5 million or $225.
Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP)
An ITAP application and renewal of a permanent stay permit costs Rp5 million or $320.
On the other hand, a lifetime or unlimited ITAP costs Rp10.2 million or $655. Like the ITAS, the price for a second-home ITAP application is much higher. It costs Rp30 million or $1,920 for the primary applicant.
Perhaps you’ve been eyeing off Indonesia for quite some time now, well now you know the long-term visa options.
Although visas take some time to process and prepare, your efforts won’t go to waste with this impressive and beautiful country.
We do our best to provide the most accurate and helpful information, but rules and procedures can change at short notice. Your experience could be different depending on your country of origin and the locality and office you attend. For the most current information check official government sources and speak to a local attorney or immigration professional.
I’m a writer and videographer living abroad with my family. I enjoy learning language, understanding new cultures, experiencing places less-traveled and helping others to do the same.
