(INDONESIA) The Limited Stay Visa (ITAS – Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is Indonesia’s core permit for foreign residents in 2025. It covers foreign workers, investors, students, retirees, and family members of Indonesian citizens or expatriates, with permits now lasting from a few months up to a decade.
The biggest shifts this year are longer validity—up to 10 years—and a simpler start to the process at Indonesia’s points of entry, followed by a required follow-up at the local immigration office. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes reduce repeat paperwork and give families and employers more certainty when planning multi-year moves.
Why ITAS matters in 2025
- The ITAS lets you live in Indonesia for a set period tied to your purpose: work, study, investment, retirement, or family unity.
- It gives multiple re-entry rights during its validity, so you can leave and return without getting a new visa each time.
- With an ITAS, you can handle everyday tasks: opening bank accounts, leasing property, getting a driver’s license, and—in some cases—joining national health coverage (BPJS).
- Reforms led by the Directorate General of Immigration aim to cut delays by starting ITAS processing at airports and seaports, then finishing your permit at the local office after arrival.
Who can apply and which path fits you
Categories that lead to ITAS include:
– Foreign workers (TKA) sponsored by an employer (PT or PT PMA)
– Investors managing or owning companies in Indonesia
– Students enrolled at Indonesian schools or universities
– Retirees who meet age and financial criteria through a licensed agent
– Family members (spouses and dependents) of Indonesian citizens or ITAS holders
New long-term options introduced to attract capital and talent:
– Golden Visa: A 5- or 10-year option for high-net-worth investors. Individual thresholds start from IDR 38 billion (about USD 2.5 million), with higher thresholds for corporate investors.
– Second Home Visa: A 5- or 10-year stay for foreigners who deposit at least IDR 2 billion (about USD 130,000) in an Indonesian bank; does not grant employment rights.
– Business visas: Available for short-term work-like activities and multiple-entry trips, but not a substitute for a work ITAS.
Step-by-step journey from VITAS to ITAS
Think of the process as two stages: enter Indonesia with the right visa (VITAS) and finalize your stay permit (ITAS) locally.
1) Secure a sponsor
– Work or investor route: Your employer or company sponsor (PT or PT PMA) handles sponsorship.
– Family route: Your Indonesian spouse sponsors you.
– Retirement route: A licensed agent sponsors and manages the retirement process.
What you do:
– Choose the path that matches your purpose and confirm your sponsor is ready to support your application.
What authorities do:
– Sponsors submit information and confirm they will take responsibility for your stay.
2) Apply for the VITAS (the entry visa)
– You and your sponsor submit the application through Indonesia’s immigration system for a visa on arrival (where eligible) or a pre-approved visa.
– This visa allows you to enter Indonesia to complete the conversion to ITAS.
What you do:
– Follow your sponsor’s lead, respond to requests, and carry your approval details when you travel.
What authorities do:
– Review your purpose and sponsor details and issue the VITAS if approved.
Tip on forms:
– When your sponsor applies online for a pre-approved visa (e-VITAS), they do it through the government’s official portal. You can start at the Directorate General of Immigration website and proceed to the online visa system for filings. Use the official site at https://www.imigrasi.go.id for policy pages and links to the application environment.
3) Enter Indonesia at a designated point of entry
– Since January 9, 2024, initial ITAS processing shifts to the border. This step is meant to reduce bottlenecks inside the country.
What you do:
– Carry your passport and VITAS approval to present on arrival.
What authorities do:
– Process your entry and note that you plan to convert your status to ITAS.
4) Convert your VITAS to ITAS at the local immigration office
– You must visit the local immigration office within 30 days of arrival.
– The office will collect your biometrics and stamp your passport to finalize the conversion.
What you do:
– Go to the local office on time, complete biometric capture, and bring sponsor documents as instructed.
What authorities do:
– Take your biometrics, verify your case, and move you to ITAS status.
5) Receive your KITAS (the physical or digital card)
– After conversion, you’ll receive the ITAS card—often called KITAS.
What you do:
– Keep the KITAS with you and check your details.
What authorities do:
– Issue the physical or digital KITAS showing your status and validity.
6) Extend or convert as needed
– If your activities continue beyond your permit, you can extend your ITAS within your category’s conditions.
– If you meet requirements for a permanent stay permit (KITAP), you can convert from ITAS to KITAP later.
What you do:
– Track your dates and file early if you need more time.
What authorities do:
– Assess extension or conversion requests and, if approved, update your status.
Deadlines, validity, and travel rights
- Maximum validity: ITAS can be issued for up to 10 years. If your first grant is shorter, it can be extended up to that cap.
- Short-term work ITAS: Valid up to 90 days, extendable to a maximum of 180 days.
- Student ITAS: Aligned with the academic program, commonly 12 or 24 months, with multiple re-entry included.
- Border shift: Initial processing takes place at points of entry; the 30-day local office visit is mandatory to complete your ITAS.
- Travel: ITAS holders enjoy multiple re-entry rights during validity without extra entry visas.
Extensions and moving toward permanent stay (KITAP)
- Converting from a visit stay permit to ITAS is allowed, and from ITAS to KITAP is also possible.
- KITAP is valid for 5 years and is automatically extended if conditions remain the same.
- To qualify for KITAP: hold ITAS for at least 4 consecutive years, work in the same company, and keep the same position throughout that period.
Practical note:
– If your role or employer changes during those years, you may not meet the requirement. Plan your career and contract terms with this rule in mind.
What happens at each office and what you should bring
Point of entry (airport or seaport):
– Officers confirm your VITAS and purpose. This is the “front door” in the new system.
Local immigration office:
– You must appear within 30 days for biometrics and stamping to complete the conversion to ITAS.
– Expect photo and fingerprint collection and a check of your sponsor details.
What to bring and do:
– Your passport and arrival entry record.
– Sponsor’s documents as instructed (employer letter for work/investor ITAS; marriage-based sponsorship for family; licensed agent paperwork for retirement; student enrollment details for student cases).
– Keep your contact info current and stay reachable in case the office calls you back for clarifications.
Note:
– Authorities have not set public fixed timelines for each stage beyond the required 30-day local visit. Plan your move to allow time for the in-country steps.
Special long-term options: Golden Visa and Second Home
Golden Visa (5 or 10 years):
– Aimed at high-net-worth individuals and corporate investors.
– Individual threshold begins at IDR 38 billion (about USD 2.5 million).
– Designed to draw investment and support long-term planning.
Second Home Visa (5 or 10 years):
– Requires a deposit of at least IDR 2 billion (about USD 130,000) in an Indonesian bank.
– Offers long-term stay but no right to work.
– Appeals to people who want to live in Indonesia for lifestyle or family reasons without employment.
Business visas:
– Useful for short trips tied to business activity.
– Not a substitute for a work-authorized ITAS.
These options sit alongside standard ITAS routes and reflect Indonesia’s push to compete regionally for investors and global residents.
Practical life setup with an ITAS
Once you hold ITAS, you can take care of real-life needs that matter when you settle in a new country:
– Banking: ITAS helps you open local bank accounts.
– Housing: You can lease property under your name.
– Driving: You can pursue a driver’s license.
– Health: In some cases, ITAS holders can access Indonesia’s national health insurance (BPJS).
Families often report the biggest relief is knowing they can travel out of the country for emergencies and return smoothly thanks to multiple re-entry rights. Employers praise the new 10-year option for bringing stability to senior roles and long projects.
Common planning questions answered
- How long can I stay?
Up to 10 years depending on category and approvals. Students commonly get 12 or 24 months, aligned with their program. Short-term workers may receive up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days. -
When do I need to go to the local office?
Within 30 days of arrival to complete conversion from VITAS to ITAS with biometrics and stamping. -
Can I extend my ITAS?
Yes, if your activity isn’t finished and you still meet category rules. File ahead of expiry. -
Can my visit stay permit become ITAS?
Yes; you can convert a visit stay permit to ITAS, and later ITAS to KITAP if you meet the 4-year same-company, same-position rule. -
Do I have to keep the same employer for KITAP?
For KITAP, the rule states: at least 4 consecutive years on ITAS with the same company and the same position. -
Are there work rights with the Second Home Visa?
No—residence for 5–10 years without employment rights.
Compliance and good habits
- Mark the 30-day in-country conversion deadline on your calendar the day you land.
- Keep digital and paper copies of all approvals and your KITAS.
- If you expect your assignment or study to run longer than your current sticker, file an extension early; late filings can interrupt your right to stay.
- If you plan to move from ITAS to KITAP, discuss your long-term role with your employer to meet the same company, same position requirement.
Important: Always allow time for the in-country steps. Authorities have not published fixed timelines for processing beyond the mandatory 30-day visit, so plan conservatively.
Where to check official rules and submit forms
- Official policy and service pages: the Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights: https://www.imigrasi.go.id
- Online filings: When you or your sponsor submit the entry visa (VITAS) online and track your case, follow the links provided on the official site to the e-visa system. Always confirm you are on an official government domain before entering details.
Putting it all together: a simple journey map
- Decide your purpose (work, invest, study, retire, join family).
- Confirm the right category and your sponsor.
- Apply for your VITAS with sponsor support through the official system.
- Fly in and present your approval at a designated point of entry in Indonesia.
- Within 30 days, go to your local immigration office to give biometrics and finalize your ITAS.
- Receive your KITAS (physical or digital) and settle into daily life.
- Extend your ITAS if your plans continue; after 4 consecutive years in the same company and position, consider KITAP for a more permanent footing.
- If you fit the Golden Visa or Second Home routes, weigh the 5–10-year stay options and their investment or deposit rules.
The 2024–2025 reforms are designed to make the front door smoother and the stay more stable. For families, that means fewer trips to the counter. For employers, it means better long-term planning. For students and retirees, it offers clarity: arrive, complete the in-country step on time, and enjoy the benefits of Indonesia’s modernized system.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Indonesia’s 2024–2025 ITAS reforms extend permit validity up to ten years, streamline entry via VITAS at borders, and require a 30-day local immigration biometric visit to finalize residency, giving families and employers greater certainty while enabling long-term planning for work, investment, study, retirement, and family unity.
