Foreign investment inflows into Indonesia continue to demonstrate a strong upward trend, driven by regulatory reforms, the digitalization of licensing through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, and the Government’s commitment to ensuring legal certainty for investors. Indonesia is no longer viewed merely as a potential market, but as a strategic operational base for regional business expansion in Southeast Asia. As a result, certainty of immigration status has become a fundamental aspect that cannot be separated from business planning for foreign investors.
For foreign nationals intending to establish and manage a company in Indonesia, the Investor Limited Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Terbatas – ITAS) serves as a legal instrument that bridges investment interests and lawful residence. However, the process of obtaining it is not purely administrative; it also requires compliance with immigration law and investment regulations. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the legal basis, requirements, and procedures for an Investor KITAS is essential to ensure that business activities operate safely, lawfully, and sustainably.
Legal Framework and Regulatory Basis of the Investor ITAS in Indonesia
The principal regulation governing residence permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia is Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (“Immigration Law”), as amended by Law No. 63 of 2024 concerning the Third Amendment to Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (“Immigration Law 2024”). Article 1 point 21 defines a Stay Permit as a permit granted to a foreign national by an Immigration Officer or an overseas service officer to reside within the territory of Indonesia.
The Immigration Law provides that a Limited Stay Permit is granted to foreign nationals entering Indonesia with a Limited Stay Visa. Pursuant to Article 52 of the Immigration Law, a Limited Stay Permit may be granted to:
- Foreign nationals entering Indonesia with a Limited Stay Visa;
- Children born in Indonesia to parents holding a Limited Stay Permit;
- Foreign nationals granted a change of status from a Visit Stay Permit;
- Captains, crew members, or foreign experts aboard vessels, floating equipment, or installations operating in Indonesian waters and jurisdiction in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations;
- Foreign nationals lawfully married to Indonesian citizens; or
- Children of foreign nationals lawfully married to Indonesian citizens.
An Investor ITAS, or “ITAS for the Purpose of Foreign Investment,” is a temporary residence permit granted to a foreign national intending to conduct Foreign Investment activities within Indonesia. In practice, foreign investors generally obtain a Limited Stay Visa (Visa Tinggal Terbatas – VITAS) prior to its conversion into an ITAS.
Article 33 paragraph (2) letter e of Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023 concerning Visas and Stay Permits (“Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation (MoLHR) Regulation 22/2023”) affirms that:
A Limited Stay Visa as referred to in paragraph (1) may be granted to a Foreigner to conduct foreign investment activities, allowing the Foreigner to:
- Reside for a maximum of 2 (two) years;
- Reside for a maximum of 5 (five) years, comprising:
- A Foreigner as an individual investor intending to establish a company in Indonesia;
- A Foreigner as an individual investor not intending to establish a company in Indonesia; and
- A Foreigner who will serve as a member of the board of directors or board of commissioners of a company to be established in Indonesia as a branch or subsidiary of a company outside the territory of Indonesia.
- Reside for a maximum of 10 (ten) years, comprising:
- A Foreigner as an individual investor intending to establish a company in Indonesia;
- A Foreigner as an individual investor not intending to establish a company in Indonesia; and
- A Foreigner who will serve as a member of the board of directors or board of commissioners of a company to be established in Indonesia as a branch or subsidiary of a company outside the territory of Indonesia.
In addition, foreign investment policy operates within the framework of Law No. 25 of 2007 on Investment (“Investment Law”), which guarantees legal certainty, protection, and equal treatment for foreign investors. In this context, the Investor ITAS functions as a supporting instrument that enables investors to effectively exercise their rights and obligations in Indonesia.
In practice, the application and issuance of an Investor ITAS fall under the authority of the Directorate General of Immigration within the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. Immigration policy is also integrated with the government-managed Online Single Submission (OSS) system to ensure the legal standing of foreign investment business entities.
Requirements and Procedures for Obtaining an Investor ITAS
In general, an Investor ITAS is granted to foreign nationals who hold shares in a Foreign Investment Limited Liability Company (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing, PT PMA) established under Indonesian law. The provisions regarding the duration of stay and applicable requirements are regulated under MoLHR Regulation 22/2023, with schemes differentiated based on the requested stay period: 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years.
Two-Year Investor ITAS
For a Limited Stay Permit valid for 2 (two) years, the application must be submitted electronically by the foreign national or their sponsor to the Directorate General of Immigration. In principle, the applicant must provide a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of sponsorship, proof of sufficient financial means to support their stay in Indonesia, a recent photograph, and supporting documents explaining the purpose of entry.
Specifically for the investor category, supporting documents include proof of share ownership of at least IDR 10,000,000,000 (ten billion rupiah) or its equivalent as recorded in the relevant ministry/agency investment system, the Ministerial Decree approving the establishment of the PT as a legal entity, and the company’s bank statements for the last two months. This scheme generally applies to investors with an established and officially registered corporate structure in Indonesia.
Five-Year Investor ITAS
For a stay permit valid for up to 5 (five) years, the basic administrative requirements remain similar: a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of living expenses, a recent photograph, and documents stating the purpose of entry. However, an additional requirement applies in the form of Immigration Security, evidenced by an investment commitment.
The form of commitment varies depending on the investor category. An individual investor intending to establish a company in Indonesia must submit a statement of commitment to invest or hold shares of at least USD 2,500,000, to be realized no later than 90 days after the ITAS is issued.
For investors not intending to establish a company, the investment commitment may be fulfilled through the purchase of financial instruments in Indonesia, such as government bonds, shares in publicly listed companies, or mutual funds in publicly listed companies, each with a minimum value of USD 350,000. This commitment must also be realized within 90 days from the issuance of the stay permit.
For a foreign national appointed as a director or commissioner of a branch or subsidiary of a foreign company, the parent company must commit to establishing a branch or subsidiary in Indonesia with a minimum investment value of USD 25,000,000, to be realized within 90 days.
Ten-Year Investor ITAS
The 10 (ten)-year Limited Stay Permit scheme is intended for investors with larger investment values and long-term commitments in Indonesia. Administrative requirements remain the same, passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of living expenses, recent photograph, and supporting documents regarding the purpose of entry, accompanied by Immigration Security in the form of a higher-value investment commitment.
For investors establishing a company in Indonesia, the minimum investment commitment is USD 50,000,000, to be realized within 90 days after the ITAS is issued.
For investors not establishing a company, the commitment may take the form of purchasing government bonds, shares in publicly listed companies, or mutual funds in publicly listed companies with a minimum value of USD 700,000. Alternatively, the investor may purchase a strata-title apartment or condominium with a minimum value of USD 1,000,000. All commitments must be realized no later than 90 days after the stay permit is granted.
Accordingly, the longer the requested Investor ITAS duration, the greater the required investment commitment. This scheme reflects the Government’s policy to encourage high-quality, long-term investment while providing legal certainty for foreign investors seeking to use Indonesia as a base for their business activities.
After understanding the classification of stay periods and investment commitments under MoLHR Regulation 22/2023, the next stage to consider is the procedural flow from application to issuance of the Investor ITAS (KITAS). This procedure is conducted in stages and integrated through the electronic system of the Directorate General of Immigration.
Limited Stay Visa (e-Visa) Application
The initial stage begins with the online application for a Limited Stay Visa (VITAS) through the Directorate General of Immigration’s e-Visa system. The application may be submitted directly by the foreign national or through a sponsor (usually the PT PMA). At this stage, all required documents are uploaded and verified by the designated Immigration Officer.
If approved, the applicant receives an electronic visa approval notification (e-Visa), which serves as the basis for entry into Indonesia. The visa has a specific validity period for use as an entry permit.
Arrival in Indonesia and Issuance of ITAS
Upon arrival in Indonesia using the e-Visa, the stay permit status automatically converts into a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS). The investor must then complete reporting and biometric data recording (photograph and fingerprints) at the Immigration Office in accordance with the company’s domicile.
At this stage, the system issues the KITAS in electronic form (e-ITAS). The investor may also obtain a multiple re-entry permit, allowing exit and re-entry into Indonesia during the validity period without the need to apply for a new visa.
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Reporting and Administrative Compliance
After the ITAS is issued, several administrative obligations must be fulfilled. The investor must:
- Report any changes to immigration data (address, position, passport changes, etc.);
- Ensure realization of the investment commitment within 90 days according to the applicable category;
- Ensure the company remains active and compliant with OSS reporting and tax obligations.
If the investment commitment is not realized within the stipulated timeframe, the stay permit may be reviewed or revoked in accordance with the administrative authority under the Immigration Law.
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ITAS Extension
The Investor ITAS may be extended provided all requirements continue to be met and the company remains operational. The extension application must be submitted before the permit expires through the same electronic system.
Failure to apply for an extension in a timely manner may result in administrative fines (overstay penalties) and, if the permitted period is exceeded, deportation measures.
Indonesia has facilitated foreign investors through the Investor ITAS (KITAS) scheme, enabling foreign nationals to conduct business and reside legally for periods of 2, 5, or up to 10 years. This policy aims to attract quality investment by imposing capital commitments proportionate to the duration of stay, thereby balancing ease of doing business with legal certainty.
By fulfilling all administrative requirements and realizing investment commitments within the stipulated timeframe, investors can conduct and expand their business activities in Indonesia legally and with clear legal certainty.***
Would you like to process an Investor ITAS (KITAS) or other stay permits in Indonesia without the risk of administrative errors? Entrust the entire process to SIPR Consultant for professional assistance and structured legal certainty.
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Regulations:
- Undang-Undang Nomor 25 Tahun 2007 tentang Penanaman Modal (“UU Penanaman Modal”).
- Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2011 tentang Keimigrasian (“UU Keimigrasian”).
- Undang-Undang Nomor 63 Tahun 2024 tentang Perubahan Ketiga Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2011 tentang Keimigrasian (“UU Keimigrasian 2024”).
- Peraturan Menteri Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia Nomor 22 Tahun 2023 tentang Visa dan Izin Tinggal (“Permenkumham 22/2023”).
References:
- ITAS Investor, Begini Pengertian dan Cara Mengurusnya. HukumOnline. (Diakses pada 23 Februari 2026 pukul 08.56 WIB)
- Izin Tinggal Terbatas. Singkawang Imigrasi. (Diakses pada 23 Februari 2026 pukul 09.15 WIB)