What Is a KITAS in Bali and How Do You Get One?
KITAS explained: the limited stay permit, the visa types behind it (work, investor, family, retirement, remote worker), the steps and documents. Updated November 2026.
Updated November 2026
Short answer: A KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is Indonesia’s limited stay permit. You get one by first obtaining an E-category residence visa that matches your purpose, such as work (E23), investor (E28A), spouse of an Indonesian (E31A), retirement (E33E or E33F) or remote work (E33G). Most types need a sponsor, such as your employer, your company or your spouse, who applies on the official eVisa portal. After you enter Indonesia the stay permit is issued electronically, and you may be called for biometrics at a Bali immigration office.
Key points
- Work KITAS: the employer needs an approved foreign worker plan (RPTKA) from the Ministry of Manpower.
- Investor KITAS (E28A): sponsored by your company; the official requirement is share ownership of at least IDR 10 billion in the sponsoring company.
- Retirement: E33E (5 years, no sponsor, age 55 and over) or E33F (1 year).
- A KITAS lets you open a bank account and hold Hak Pakai, but it only allows work if it is a work type.
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Quick answer: a KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is Indonesia’s limited-stay residence permit, the card that turns you from a tourist into a legal resident. It’s what lets you stay 1-2 years at a time, open a bank account, get a local driver’s license, and hold Hak Pakai property title. Here’s how it works and how to get one in 2026.
The 6 KITAS types in 2026
| Type | Code | Who it’s for | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work | E23 | Employees of Indonesian companies | 6-12 months |
| Investor | E28A | PT PMA shareholders | 2 years |
| Remote worker | E33G | Foreign-income digital nomads | 1+1 years |
| Retirement | E33F | Age 55+ | 1 year renewable |
| Family/spouse | E31 series | Spouses & dependents | 1-2 years |
| Student | E30 | Enrolled students | Per study period |
How do you actually get one? (2026 process)
Step 1, Pick the right type. This decides everything: sponsor requirements, cost, and what you may legally do. Wrong type = starting over.
Step 2, Sponsor & e-visa application. Your sponsor (employer, your own PT PMA, spouse, or yourself with foreign income for E33G) files online. Approval comes as an e-visa allowing entry.
Step 3, Enter Indonesia & biometrics. Within days of arrival you attend immigration (Denpasar, Jimbaran or Singaraja for Bali) for photos/fingerprints. The ITAS is issued electronically.
Step 4, MERP & reporting. Modern permits bundle the re-entry permit; register your address (STM/SKTT), landlords often skip this and it bites at renewal.
What a KITAS unlocks (and what it doesn’t)
Unlocks: long-term residence, local bank accounts, SIM (driver’s license), local prices at many attractions, Hak Pakai property title, NPWP tax number.
Doesn’t unlock: employment (unless E23), Indonesian-client income on E33G, or freehold land ownership, that stays impossible for foreigners regardless of permit.
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Related: work KITAS service · video: KITAS step-by-step · visa extensions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does KITAS stand for?
Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, Limited Stay Permit Card. It’s Indonesia’s temporary residence permit, now issued electronically as an ITAS, valid 6 months to 2 years depending on type.
What’s the difference between KITAS and KITAP?
KITAS is temporary (renewable). KITAP is the permanent permit, available after holding a KITAS for several consecutive years (typically 3-4 renewals, or faster through marriage).
How long does it take to get a KITAS?
With complete documents: roughly 4-8 weeks end-to-end, including visa approval (e-visa), entry, and biometrics at immigration in Bali. Work KITAS adds employer-side approvals (RPTKA) before that.
Can KITAS holders open bank accounts and buy property?
Yes, a KITAS unlocks local bank accounts, driver’s licenses, and eligibility for Hak Pakai property title. This is the main practical reason investors and long-stay expats want one.
Does a KITAS mean I can work?
Only the work KITAS (E23) with a proper IMTA/RPTKA gives employment rights, and only for the sponsoring employer. Investor, retirement, family and remote-worker KITAS holders cannot take Indonesian employment.
Retiring rather than working in Indonesia is a different route entirely. See our Bali retirement visa guide.
What are the steps to get a KITAS?
- Choose the visa type that matches what you will do in Indonesia.
- Your sponsor prepares their documents (company papers, marriage certificate or similar).
- The application is filed on evisa.imigrasi.go.id with your passport, photo and supporting documents.
- The visa is issued electronically.
- You enter Indonesia and the stay permit (ITAS) starts from your arrival date.
- Attend biometrics if immigration asks, and keep your address and sponsor details up to date.
Do KITAS holders pay tax in Indonesia?
Tax follows residence, not the visa. Under the Income Tax Law you are generally an Indonesian tax resident if you are in Indonesia for more than 183 days in a 12 month period, or if you are here in a tax year and intend to reside. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with a special rule that some foreign experts are taxed only on Indonesian income for their first four years. Get tax advice before you arrive, because your home country’s rules and any tax treaty also matter.
Questions people ask about getting a KITAS
What does KITAS stand for?
Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, the limited stay permit card. The permit itself is called ITAS.
What is the difference between a KITAS and a KITAP?
A KITAS is temporary and tied to a sponsor or purpose. A KITAP is the permanent stay permit, valid for five years and renewable, which some KITAS holders can apply for later.
Can I work on any KITAS?
No. Only a work-type KITAS with an approved RPTKA allows employment. Investor KITAS holders can act as directors or commissioners of their own company.
Can I get a KITAS without a sponsor?
Yes, through the E33E 5-year retiree visa for people aged 55 and over. Most other types need a sponsor.
Do I need to leave Indonesia to get a KITAS?
In many cases the visa can be issued while you are in Indonesia, but it depends on your current visa. Check before your current stay runs out.
Sources: Directorate General of Immigration; Indonesia eVisa portal; Ministry of Manpower; Directorate General of Taxes. Checked November 2026.