How to Get a Residence Permit in Bali (2025): KITAS/KITAP, Routes, Documents & Timeline

Living in Bali long-term requires an Indonesian residence permit. In practice, foreigners start with KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit, ITAS) and later convert to KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit, ITAP). This 2025 guide explains the main routes (work, investor, family, retirement, student, Second Home, Golden Visa), documents you’ll need, steps, costs, renewals, and how to plan the move without risking overstay or working on the wrong visa.

Residence at a glance (one clear table)

Key terms (you’ll see them in your file)

• KITAS / ITAS: Temporary stay permit (1–2 years at a time), usually your first long-term status.
• KITAP / ITAP: Permanent stay permit available after multi-year lawful residence on KITAS.
• e-VOA: Electronic Visa on Arrival (short stay) — not a residence permit, and not for work.
• IMTA/Work approval: Employer’s work authorization required for Work KITAS.
• SKTT/Address registration: Local population registration after you receive KITAS/KITAP.
• KYC/SoF: Know Your Customer / Source of Funds — relevant for investor/Second Home/Golden Visa files.

Who qualifies — main routes explained

Work KITAS. You are hired by an Indonesian company (sponsor). The employer obtains work approvals and sponsors your KITAS. You can work only for that sponsor and role.

Investor KITAS. You own shares and/or serve as a director/commissioner in an Indonesian company with adequate paid-in capital and activity. Lets you manage your own entity; different from employee status.

Family KITAS. For spouses/children of Indonesian citizens or of foreign residents already holding KITAS/KITAP. No local work rights unless converted to the appropriate status.

Retirement KITAS (55+). Proof of age, income, accommodation, and health insurance. Not a work permit; side business/remote consulting needs careful structuring.

Student KITAS. Granted to foreign students enrolled in Indonesian institutions in Bali; no local employment.

Second Home Visa. Long-term stay (often 5 or 10 years) for individuals who can show significant funds/assets and insurance. Good for lifestyle presence without employment.

Golden Visa. Long-term stay via qualifying investments that meet central government thresholds. Designed for significant investors and high-impact profiles; conditions and categories apply.

Step-by-step (from decision to card)

1. Pick your route. Decide between Work, Investor, Family, Retirement, Student, Second Home, or Golden Visa. Avoid using tourist or e-VOA for activities that require a KITAS.
2. Secure sponsorship/eligibility. For Work/Investor: confirm your employer or company sponsor. For Family/Retirement/Student: confirm documents. For Second Home/Golden: confirm funds/investment criteria.
3. Gather documents. Passport (validity buffer), recent photos, police clearance (if requested), health insurance, proof of income/funds, Bali address (lease/title), and route-specific papers (job contract, corporate docs, marriage/birth certificates, school acceptance).
4. Pre-approval & visa issuance. Your sponsor/agent submits the dossier; you receive an e-visa approval (telex) and convert to KITAS after arrival if applicable, or receive long-term status where the program allows.
5. Biometrics & registration. Visit immigration for fingerprints/photo/signature; complete local registrations (SKTT) and obtain your physical/e-card.
6. Compliance & renewals. Keep insurance active, update address/company details, renew on time. Plan KITAP after sufficient years of lawful stay.

Documents checklist (2025)

• Passport with ample validity + copies
• Recent biometric photos (per specs)
• Health insurance covering Indonesia
• Proof of accommodation in Bali (lease or title)
• Proof of funds/income (bank statements, salary, dividends, pensions)
• Police clearance (where requested) and any required medicals
• Route-specific documents:
  • Work KITAS: employment contract, employer registrations, work approvals
  • Investor KITAS: company deed, shareholdings, capital proof, director appointment
  • Family KITAS: marriage/birth certificates, sponsor ID/status
  • Retirement KITAS: age proof (55+), income/pension, rental, helper/insurance confirmations
  • Student KITAS: enrollment/acceptance letter
  • Second Home/Golden: proof of funds/investment and Source-of-Funds trail

Costs & timeline (indicative)

• Government fees: typically a few hundred USD equivalent per applicant per year, depending on category; Golden/Second Home can be higher.
• Translations/legalization: budget for notarization/apostille and certified translations where required.
• Agent/legal support (optional): varies widely by route and service level.
• Timeline: from a complete file to card issuance often takes 2–8 weeks (Work/Investor may take longer due to work approvals). Long-term programs (Second Home/Golden) are case-by-case.

Renewals & path to KITAP

Most foreigners spend multiple years on KITAS before becoming eligible for KITAP. Keep your sponsorship valid, renew on time, and maintain continuous lawful presence (avoid long absences that break continuity). Spouses of Indonesian citizens often have a more direct path to KITAP after a qualifying marriage duration and residence.

Tax & compliance (high-level)

• Tax residency often arises at ≥183 days in Indonesia within 12 months, or based on center of vital interests.
• Work limitations: On Family/Retirement/Student/Second Home, you cannot take local employment unless you switch to the correct status. Remote income should be evaluated carefully.
• Address & reporting: Keep address registration (SKTT) and documents current; notify authorities of changes.
• Overstay fines: Indonesia enforces significant fines and potential sanctions — plan renewals early.

What changed in 2025 (practical focus)

• Digital processes: gradual expansion of e-applications, appointments, and online payments; still expect in-person biometrics.
• Stronger KYC/SoF: investor, Second Home, and Golden files face deeper checks on funds origin.
• Stricter status use: consistent enforcement against working on tourist/e-VOA or on non-work KITAS.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Working on the wrong status: paid work on tourist/e-VOA or Family/Retirement KITAS risks sanctions — switch to Work/Investor KITAS first.
• Late renewals: missing deadlines leads to overstay penalties and breaks continuity for KITAP.
• Weak documentation: incomplete company papers, missing marriage/birth certificate legalizations, or uninsured dependants.
• Address gaps: no formal lease/registration in Bali → trouble at renewal or inspections.
• Assuming Second Home/Golden = work authorization: they grant long-term stay, not blanket work rights.

FAQ (quick answers)

Can I work in Bali on a Family or Retirement KITAS?
No. You must hold a Work or Investor KITAS to take employment or run local operations.

How long until I can get KITAP?
Commonly after 3–4 years of continuous KITAS (varies by route). Spouses of Indonesian citizens may have faster eligibility.

Is the Second Home Visa the same as KITAS?
No. It’s a long-term stay option with funds requirements; it doesn’t automatically allow local employment.

What’s the difference between Work and Investor KITAS?
Work KITAS is for employees; Investor KITAS is for owners/directors with share capital and company responsibilities.

Can dependants study or work?
Dependants can study; to work, they need to convert to the appropriate permit.

Do I need insurance?
Yes, maintain health insurance for the entire stay for all family members.

Can I switch routes inside Indonesia?
In many cases yes (e.g., Family → Work), but plan timing and status bridges with your sponsor/agent.

What happens if I overstay?
Daily fines apply and serious overstays risk detention/deportation and bans. Don’t rely on grace periods — renew early.

Expert opinion

“The cleanest Bali residency path is route clarity + complete documents + on-time renewals. Most delays come from sponsorship gaps, address issues, or trying to work on the wrong status.” — VelesClub Int. immigration team

Next steps

Planning a legal move to Bali? Explore our guides and the dedicated Residency & Citizenship hub for step-by-step checklists and templates tailored to your route.