Eligibility for a spouse-sponsored KITAS in Indonesia

Foreign citizens are permissible to get a temporary residence permit known as KITAS valid for one year. Foreigners married to an Indonesian citizen are eligible for a spouse-sponsored KITAS.

After one extension, in other words, after two consecutive years of staying in Indonesia on a KITAS, a temporary permit can be converted into a permanent one called KITAP.

Benefits of Having an Indonesia Spouse-Sponsored Visa

After securing a spouse-sponsored visa in Indonesia, a foreigner is entitled to enjoy the following benefits:

  • Validity of MERP (Multiple Exit/Re-Entry Permit): 2 years
  • Can have an Indonesian driver’s license (Surat Izin Mengemudi/SIM)
  • Can open bank accounts, apply for loans and credit cards in Indonesia
  • Can enjoy tourist attractions with local prices
  • Can become an Indonesian citizen
  • Can enjoy joint ownership of properties with the spouse
  • Long stay in Indonesia of up to 5 years (for spouse-sponsored KITAP)
  • Can have an Indonesian ID (Kartu Tanda Penduduk/KTP) with validity of 5 years (for spouse-sponsored KITAP)

Requirements for a Spouse Visa Application

The following requirements must be satisfied to be able to apply for and be granted a spouse visa in Indonesia:

  • Being legally married to an Indonesian citizen proven with an official marriage certificate approved by the Indonesian government
  • A marriage certificate from the foreigner’s country of origin (must be translated into Indonesian language and notarised) when getting married overseas
  • A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (must be translated into Indonesian language and notarised)

Process for Securing an Indonesia Spouse Visa

1. Electronic VITAS

To get your VITAS approved, the following steps are to be undertaken:

  • Submit these documents: valid passport and a copy of passport, marriage certificate, copy of ID and family card of your Indonesian spouse with “married” status, copy of Indonesian spouse’s latest bank statement, and sponsor letter.
  • Apply for an electronic VITAS (Visa Tinggal Terbatas) Limited Stay Visa.
  • Electronic VITAS is then issued by the Directorate General Immigration of Indonesia in Jakarta, which takes approximately 10 working days.

2. VITAS Conversion into KITAS

Once you have arrived in Indonesia, within 30 days you will be required to report to the local Immigration to convert your VITAS into a KITAS. You are not allowed to leave the country in the midst of the process or else your VITAS will become invalid.

3. Validity and Renewal of KITAS

KITAS is valid for 6 months to a year. It must be renewed every 6 or 12 months with 5 years of validity in total.

4. Civil Registration and Reporting

A foreigner with spouse-sponsored KITAS must register at the civil department within 14 days upon KITAS issuance, by going through the following procedure:

  • Prepare required documents.
  • Present at civil administration department.
  • You will get SKSKPS (Certificate of Family Formation of Temporary Residents) and STM (Police Report Certificate).

5. KITAS Conversion into KITAP

You can consider converting your KITAS spouse visa to KITAP spouse visa after two years of marriage with your Indonesian spouse. The KITAP is just one last step before full citizenship.

Cases that May Lead to a Spouse Visa being Terminated

Although having already a spouse visa in Indonesia, foreigners are obliged to be prudent with the activities they are conducting in order to not lose their eligibility for holding the visa. The following activities may result in termination of the visa:

  • The foreigner has not come back to Indonesia for more than a year after leaving
  • The foreigner’s spouse divorces or his/her Indonesian spouse dies before reaching 10 years of marriage
  • The foreigner does not extend his or her permanent stay permit (KITAP) after 5 years
  • The foreigner has finally secured the Indonesian nationality
  • The spouse visa is cancelled by the Indonesian government because of specific circumstances
  • The foreigner has passed away

Spouse Visa Application in Indonesia with Bali Bagus Visa

Indonesia did a huge step forward, and many legal processes can be done online. Unfortunately, this is not the case of an application for a spouse-sponsored visa unless you do not mind leaving the country and issuing the spouse visa abroad.

Time & Cost Savings

Indonesian governmental institutions are centralised with the majority of offices situated in Jakarta. In case your Indonesian spouse’s permanent address is not located in Jakarta, get ready for a few trips as your application must be approved by three immigration offices, most probably in different cities.

THE HIERARCHY IS AS FOLLOWS:

Local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi)
Permissible for issuing documents for foreigners.

Regional immigration office (Kantor Wilayah)
Located in the capital of your province

Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan HAM)
Located in Jakarta.

The process requires at least one visit of each of the offices mentioned above.

Bali Bagus Visa as Your Visa Agent

Thanks to the strategic location of our offices in regional capitals of Jakarta, Semarang and Bali, we are able to finalise your application in a smooth and timely manner. With Bali Bagus Visa appointed as your visa agent, you will not be required to visit the immigration offices on your own.

We will make sure that your visa application package includes all of the mandatory documents and apply or extend your visa in accordance with the present regulations.