The Family Visa Indonesia (Family KITAS, coded with indexes 317 and 318) is a permit for long-term residence that can be obtained by:
- Spouse, children under 18 of a citizen of the country.
- Spouse, children under 18 of a foreigner who holds a work, pension, or investor KITAS.
In the first case, the document can be obtained over a period of 5 years with annual renewal Indonesia family visa requirements. In the second option, it is issued under the same period as the spouse's or parent's permit.
Content:
- What does the Family Visa for Indonesia offer?
- Tourist and Family Visas: Key differences
- What else do you need to know?
- Stages of Family Visa processing
- 1. Visa Tinggal Terbatas Processing
- 2. Replacement of Visa Tinggal Terbatas
- 3. Registration with the Civil Registry
- Extension and termination of Family Visa
- Assistance in obtaining a Family Visa for Indonesia and purchasing real estate
What does the Family Visa for Indonesia offer?
The family reunification KITAS is equivalent to a temporary residence permit. Among the main benefits of the household permit to Indonesia are:
- The ability to travel without restrictions, with the option of multiple exits abroad if necessary.
- Own property in Indonesia together with your spouse.
- Open accounts and get loans from local banks.
- Doing business or working officially after obtaining the necessary permits.
- Get a driver's license.
- Buying vehicles.
- Renting land.
- Receiving discounts in medical and other institutions.
It's worth mentioning separately that the holder of a household pass obtained on the basis of marriage to an Indonesian citizen can apply a permanent residence after 2 years in the country. It is issued over a 5 years period with an unlimited number of extensions.
Permanent residence holders have the same privileges as KITAS holders but can also obtain an identification card (KTP) and open the path to Indonesian citizenship. To apply a passport, one must remain in the country without leaving within at least 5 years from the date of obtaining permanent residency. In addition, citizenship applicants must:
- Be over 21 years old.
- Have no criminal record.
- Be financially stable.
- Have no mental illness.
- Know the Indonesian language and the basics of Indonesian history.
- Renounce the citizenship of any other country.
Tourist and Family Visas: Key differences
Family reunification KITAS is a kind of temporary residence permit that allows longer stays in the country and access to various social institutions.
At the same time, a tourist permit is intended to leisure travel, visiting relatives, etc. It does not imply long-term residence in the country and comes in two main types:
- VOA (Visa on Arrival) – issued upon arrival at the airport to citizens of 96 countries. Valid within 30 days, renewable once per an additional 30 days. Cost: approximately $32.
- B211A – processed prior to arrival in the country. Issued for 60 days and renewable for a similar period. The main requirement is a letter of guarantee from an Indonesian or a company that will act as guarantor of the foreign citizen in case of violation of Indonesian laws. The cost varies between $250 and $350.
Obtaining a KITAS is more expensive than a VOA or B211A, and there are special requirements. The cost of a 1-year family license is approximately $540.
What else do you need to know?
It is important to clarify that a residence permit (Visa Tinggal Terbatas or VITAS) obtained on the basis of family reunification does not grant the right to official employment. Additional work permits must also be obtained.
It is possible to try to get a household permit to Indonesia on your own. However, the process can be complicated by your lack of knowledge of local laws. As an example, the form of legalization of foreign documents known as an apostille is not accepted here. A visit to the embassy is required to confirm the authenticity of documents issued abroad. In addition, there are other bureaucratic nuances.
Because of this, most foreigners turn to license agencies, where professional lawyers and consultants work. Specialists in such companies will assist in gathering a complete set of necessary documents, filling out an Indonesia visa application and, in some cases, submitting the paperwork to the relevant authorities.
Stages of Family Visa processing
Let's take a closer look at how to get a household permit to Indonesia. The process consists of several stages.
1. Visa Tinggal Terbatas Processing
The first stage is the processing of the Visa Tinggal Terbatas. To the spouse of an Indonesian citizen, the following documents must be provided:
- Passport with a validity of at least 18 months at the time of application.
- Indonesian identity card and birth certificate of the applicant's spouse.
- Marriage certificate.
- Bank statement showing a minimum balance of $1,500.
- Photographs of the applicant on a red background.
The spouse or child of a foreign citizen holding an Indonesian KITAS should provide:
- Passport with a minimum validity of 18 months.
- Passport and KITAS of spouse or parent.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificates of minor children.
- Bank statement with a balance of at least $1,500.
- Photos on red background.
For children born out of wedlock to an Indonesian citizen or KITAS holder, the following documents are required:
- Passport of the foreign parent with a minimum validity of 18 months.
- Birth certificate.
- Identity card, family register and birth certificate (if parent is Indonesian).
- Copy of KITAS or KITAP (if parent is foreign).
- Marriage certificate.
- Bank statement of the sponsoring parent with a balance of at least $1,500.
- Photos on red background.
All documents are submitted electronically and there is no need to visit the embassy. The issuance of the VITAS takes 10 business days. Based on it, the applicant arrives in the country.
2. Replacement of Visa Tinggal Terbatas
The second stage involves the submission of documents for the issuance of KITAS within 30 days after obtaining Visa Tinggal Terbatas. The applicant must personally visit the Immigration Office to make an interview and biometric data collection. During the process of obtaining the document, the applicant is not allowed to leave the country.
A few days after the biometric data has been collected, the immigration office will return the passport to the applicant along with an official temporary residence permit. After receiving the document, the applicant is free to cross the border.
3. Registration with the Civil Registry
Within two weeks of obtaining KITAS, the foreigner must register with the Civil Registry. After that, a Family Establishment Certificate for Temporary Residents or SKSKPS will be issued. It is also necessary to get a Police Protocol Certificate or STM.
Extension and termination of Family Visa
Foreigners who need a household permit with a period longer than 1 year go through the extension process, which must be done annually. The process should be started in advance, approximately one month before the expiration of the document.
It is important to note the cases of termination of temporary residence permits, which can occur for the following reasons:
- Obtaining permanent residency.
- Leaving Indonesia for a period longer than 1 year.
- Divorce from the sponsoring spouse or death of the sponsoring spouse before 10 years after marriage registration.
- Revocation of KITAS for the sponsoring spouse or parent.
Assistance in obtaining a Family Visa for Indonesia and purchasing real estate
Usually, the applicant must be in Indonesia to process the KITAS. For assistance in gathering the necessary documents, translations, and other Family Visa services, one can turn to specialized centers that employ staff with foreign language skills. Many of them offer full support in the process of obtaining permit documents, and the client only needs to come at the appointed time to provide biometric data or undergo necessary interviews.
For those planning to move to the country permanently, it is advisable to address the issue of housing in advance. Today, foreigners have the right to buy apartments in Indonesia as private property. This option is available in certain neighborhoods or residential complexes with the appropriate permits.
Buying property in Bali or other Indonesian resort areas can be an excellent investment as the country's economy is growing and property prices are rising steadily.
You can explore available offers for sale of apartments and villas in Indonesia in the catalog on our website, where ads from reputable developers and real estate agencies are collected. Various housing formats are presented, from budget studio apartments to luxurious villas by the sea. Our specialists will advise you on the selection and purchase of real estate in Indonesia at a time convenient for you.