Converting Your KITAS to KITAP for Permanent Residency
Are you planning to make Bali your long-term home? A KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or temporary stay permit) is a great option if you want to stay for up to two years. However, for truly permanent residency, a KITAP is a much better option.
KITAP stands for Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap, a permanent stay permit valid for 5 years and can be renewed.
The KITAP (Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap, or permanent stay permit) gives you five years in Indonesia with indefinite renewals, eliminating the annual immigration hassles and costs associated with more temporary options. However, not every KITAS type can be converted to KITAP, so you'll need to hold the right KITAS for several consecutive years first before you can get one.
If you already hold a KITAS and want to know if it can be converted, or if you're just starting out and want to choose strategically, then this guide will explain everything you need to know.
Should You Get a KITAP?
Generally speaking, a KITAP is not an option for everyone because of the financial and immigration requirements involved. It certainly isn’t a straightforward or easy solution, but if you do qualify, there are plenty of benefits to having a KITAP:
The biggest one: it only needs renewing every 5 years, which means less Immigration bureaucracy. KITAP holders only need to report to Immigration once every 5 years, compared to annual KITAS extensions
You'll be eligible for an Indonesian foreigner’s ID card (KTP OA)
You can get easier access to banking services and credit cards
If your long-term goal is to apply for Indonesian citizenship, obtaining a KITAP is an important milestone. Holding a KITAP demonstrates continuous legal residence in Indonesia - a key requirement for naturalization
Can You Convert Your KITAS to a KITAP?
There are only some KITASes which are eligible for conversion:
Investor KITAS
If you have an Investor KITAS and hold the same position in a PT PMA (foreign-owned company) for three consecutive years, you may be eligible for a KITAP. Still, under current regulations, you will also need to hold a personal share ownership in the company’s legal documents amounting to at least 15 IDR billion.
However, if you change PT PMA companies for your KITAS, for example, due to a business dispute or simply from deciding to open a new PT PMA (foreign-owned company) and process a KITAS under this newly formed company, your eligibility clock resets to zero. This is what would be considered 'changing sponsors' in immigration terms. That means that even if you've had an Investor KITAS for 2 years, but then later decide to switch sponsors with a new PT PMA, you have to start the countdown again from the beginning.
To qualify for a KITAP, applicants must hold a qualifying KITAS for several years beforehand under the same sponsorship.
If you're opening a company in Indonesia and have the goal of staying long-term and getting a KITAP, it's important to keep this in mind. You want to make sure you're starting with an arrangement that is sustainable, which includes working with people you can maintain harmonious relationships with.
Dependent KITAS
For those who have a Dependent KITAS tied to a family member or spouse with an Investor KITAS or Working KITAS, you can also switch to KITAP once the main KITAS holder (the investor or worker) has their KITAP. In some cases, if the main KITAS holder already holds a KITAP and the family members join later, the dependents may be able to convert to KITAP after one year as dependent KITAS holders.
Working KITAS
If you have a Working KITAS, you will be eligible to apply for a KITAP after having your position for at least four consecutive years in the same company. However, this doesn't apply to all employees with a Working KITAS. For a Working KITAS, only individuals holding the highest position within the company are eligible to apply for a KITAP. For example, if the company only has a Director and a Commissioner, only the Director may apply for the KITAP. Similarly, if the company has multiple Directors, only the President Director is eligible to process the KITAP.
As with the Investor KITAS, changing companies (sponsors) resets the clock. If you leave one PT PMA and join another under which you process a new KITAS, then the four-year countdown starts all over again, even if you've worked for the previous employer for several years.
Spousal KITAS
If you're a foreigner married to an Indonesian citizen, you can switch to KITAP after two years of marriage. This is actually one of the quickest paths to permanent residency.
However, if the marriage has lasted more than two years but the foreign spouse has never held a KITAS, they must first have a KITAS for at least one year before applying for a KITAP.
Retirement KITAS
A KITAP provides greater stability and flexibility for long-term residents compared to temporary permits.
A Retirement KITAS holder can apply for a KITAP after maintaining their KITAS for four consecutive years. However, the process depends on the sponsoring local company, as not all sponsors are willing or eligible to handle a Retirement KITAP. It's advisable to confirm this point with your sponsor/agent before getting your KITAS if you plan to later get a KITAP.
Remember that changing sponsors resets your eligibility timeline, so maintaining consistency with your sponsoring company is crucial throughout the four-year period.
Golden Visa (Second Home & Silver Hair)
The Second Home and Silver Hair Golden Visas are long-stay permits which are also valid for 5 years, or 10 years with an extension. This means there might not be much need to convert your visa, as they already give you rather long-term stability. To learn more about these visas see our page .
That being said, Second Home and Silver Hair KITASes can only be extended once for a total stay of 10 years, compared to the KITAP which can be renewed indefinitely. So, if you’d like to achieve true permanent residency, you can convert after 3 years of having either of these Golden Visa types, and stay as long as you would like to with indefinite renewals every 5 years.
What Else Will You Need to Make a KITAP Application?
Your passport
Eligible KITAS
A sponsor letter
The Indonesian ID (KTP) of your sponsor
Tax ID number (NPWP)
For foreign workers with a Working KITAS: your work permit (IMTA)
Proof of sufficient funds
A clean immigration record
KITAS Types That Can’t Be Converted to KITAP
Remote Worker KITAS (Digital Nomad Visa)
The Remote Worker KITAS is still quite new, which means there have been no official cases where they have been converted into a KITAP. Based on current immigration rules, this visa can be extended up to five times, giving a total stay of up to six years from when it was first issued.
Holding a KITAP is one of the main steps toward obtaining Indonesian citizenship (if desired and eligible).
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead
If permanent residency is your goal, choose your KITAS carefully. For more information on all the available options, check out our guide to all the different KITASes available here.
While you have your KITAS, you can maximize your chances of being eligible for a KITAP by working with reliable people, keeping your business relationships strong and checking that your sponsor is willing to process KITAP applications before you begin the journey. Furthermore, pay your taxes, fulfil any legal obligations and keep your immigration record spotless. When the time comes, plan your conversion at least six months before so that you can make your application with enough time to avoid issues.
If you need more help, contact us here at Bali Solve. We specialise in all things business and visas, and can help you to process your KITAS, or convert a KITAS to a KITAP. Contact our office in Pererenan today through WhatsApp to speak to one of our expert team members, or visit us in person. Let’s get you on the right path to making Bali your new forever home.
Written by Bali Solve Team
November 2nd 2025
