KITAS and KITAP: what they are and how they differ
Last reviewed October 2, 2026
KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is Indonesia’s limited stay permit. KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap) is its permanent stay permit. A KITAS lets you live in Indonesia for a set period and a specific purpose. A KITAP is for long-term residents and can be extended without a fixed end date.
KITAS: the limited stay permit
Indonesian immigration calls it Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or ITAS. It is granted for a specific activity, so your KITAS is tied to the reason you are in Indonesia. The official list includes working, investing, joining family, studying and, for people aged 60 and over, retirement.
How long it lasts depends on the type. The official page lists terms of 180 days, 1 year and 2 years, and up to 5 to 10 years for foreign investors and second home holders.
Most categories need a sponsor, such as an employer, a company or a family member. A KITAS can be extended, so the date it expires is the date to plan around.
KITAP: the permanent stay permit
A KITAP (officially ITAP) is issued for 5 years at a time and can be extended without a fixed end. It is a residence permit, not citizenship.
Most people reach it by changing status from a KITAS. The official page names KITAS holders in the work, religious duties, foreign investment, family reunification, repatriation and second home categories. A few groups receive a KITAP directly, for example children born in Indonesia to KITAP holders.
A sponsor’s guarantee is part of many KITAP applications, and the documents differ by category.
KITAS and KITAP side by side
- Purpose: a KITAS is tied to one activity such as work, investment or family. A KITAP is for long-term residence.
- Duration: a KITAS runs for a fixed term that depends on its type. A KITAP is issued for 5 years and can be extended without a fixed end.
- Renewal: a KITAS must be extended before it expires. A KITAP is also extended, but with no final end date.
- Sponsor: most KITAS categories need one. Many KITAP applications include a sponsor’s guarantee, and the documents differ by category.
- Route: most people get a KITAP by changing status from a KITAS.
How Migravia helps
Migravia’s Immigration Services cover KITAS and KITAP applications, extensions, changes of stay permit type and re-entry permits. If you are an employee, an investor or joining a family member, the Expatriate, Investor and Family services handle the matching permit.
We check every document before filing and reach out 90, 60 and 30 days before a permit expires, so it does not lapse.
Common questions
No. A visa lets you enter Indonesia. A KITAS is a stay permit that lets you live there for a set period. A C1 visit visa can be converted to a limited stay permit, but a visa on arrival cannot be converted.
Yes. Holders of a KITAS in the work, investment, family reunification, religious duties, repatriation and second home categories can apply to change status to a KITAP.
For most categories, yes. Typical sponsors are an employer, a company you own or invest in, or a family member. Many KITAP applications also include a sponsor’s guarantee, and the documents differ by category.
It depends on the type. 180 days, 1 year and 2 years are common terms, and foreign investors and second home holders can receive 5 to 10 years. Your exact term depends on your category.
Related guides
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See Immigration Services IndonesiaOfficial sources
- Directorate General of Immigration: Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) (opens in a new tab)
- Directorate General of Immigration: Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) (opens in a new tab)
- Directorate General of Immigration: C1 tourist visa (opens in a new tab)
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules and fees change, so confirm the current requirements with Indonesian immigration before you act. Approval decisions are made solely by Indonesian immigration authorities.