Expecting Abroad: How to Manage Pregnancy in Indonesia as a Foreigner
Finding yourself pregnant whilst living in Indonesia can bring a wide range of emotions and practical considerations. Whatever your circumstances, whether you’re excited to start this new chapter, or perhaps feeling overwhelmed or distressed, we’ll try to cover the necessary steps if you’ve found out that you’re pregnant whilst in Indonesia, so that you’re a bit clearer on what you need to plan.
Expecting a baby in Indonesia as a foreigner? From healthcare to legal paperwork, here’s what you need to know to feel prepared and confident.
If you’re not planning on keeping the baby, please note that under Indonesian law, abortion is illegal and prohibited by the Health Law and Criminal Code, with very limited exceptions for medical emergencies where the mother's life is at risk or in some cases of rape. These restrictions apply to both Indonesian citizens and foreigners. If you’re a foreigner considering travelling to your home country or another place with differing laws, try to seek medical advice, and feel free to contact us with any visa related queries you do have.
Pre-Birth Planning Essentials
If you’re ready to start the beautiful journey of becoming a mother, there are some things you need to prepare before the birth.
Check your visa status. Although it’s possible to process a birth certificate without a KITAS, it’ll likely be easier with one. It is easy enough to get a birth certificate if the mother does not have a KITAS, but the father does, as long as they are married.
Research medical facilities and find a hospital familiar with handling foreign births
Contact your embassy and learn about your home country's requirements for having a baby abroad
Consider your relationship status as being married will significantly affect your documentation
Without a proper visa status, birth registration can become very challenging. Planning ahead is crucial to avoid complications. If you haven’t planned ahead, feel free to contact our office and see if we can help you.
Understanding Citizenship
For Couples with One Indonesian Parent
Indonesia allows limited dual citizenship until age 18 or marriage for:
Children born to legally married parents where one is Indonesian
Parents must register children with limited dual citizenship with Immigration before they turn 18, at which point they must choose their citizenship.
For Two Foreign Parents
Children born in Indonesia to foreign parents won’t receive Indonesian citizenship based on being born here
Your child’s citizenship will be that of your home country/countries based on descent
The entire family must comply with Indonesian immigration regulations
Marriage Considerations
Your marital status will impact your baby’s documentation:
For Married Couples
Both parents' names appear on the birth certificate
Documentation process is more straightforward
Child's citizenship follows parents' nationality rules
Understanding how citizenship is determined for babies born to foreign parents in Indonesia can ease some of the uncertainty after birth.
For Unmarried Parents
Children of unwed parents will inherit only their mother's citizenship under Indonesian law
This means that the father will remain unrecognized in official documentation.
If you plan on staying together for the long-term, getting married may simplify things for your child when it comes to official documentation
The Birth Certificate Process
It’s important to register your infant within 60 days of birth:
Hospital documentation: Request the official birth letter
Civil Registry Visit: Bring to Civil Registry Office:
Hospital birth letter
Parents' passports
Marriage certificate (translated into Indonesian)
Local residence documentation (SKTT, Domicile Letter, Police Report)
Completed registration forms
The process typically takes 7-14 working days to receive the Indonesian birth certificate.
Getting Your Child's Passport
With your Indonesian birth certificate:
Contact your embassy immediately for passport application - processing times vary by country
For parents from different countries, check if your child qualifies for multiple passports
Preparing the right documents is key for parents welcoming a baby in Indonesia to ensure smooth registration and legal recognition.
Obtaining Legal Status in Indonesia
Phase 1: Baby Birth Report
This mandatory document from Immigration permits you to apply for your baby’s visa:
Requires child's passport, birth certificate and parents' documentation
Must be obtained before applying for any Indonesian visa
Phase 2: Dependent KITAS Visa
The final step will grant your child legal residency,
They will receive a "Dependent KITAS,” matching their parent’s KITAS/ITAS (can be their mother’s or father’s)
The process takes approximately one month
It’s important to complete the whole process within 60 days, as without the dependent KITAS, your child may face immigration issues
Healthcare Considerations
Insurance coverage: Make sure that you have an insurance policy that covers giving birth and prenatal care
Hospital selection: Find facilities with previous experience in helping foreigners give birth in Indonesia
Postnatal care: Arrange support systems for after birth, or have family or friends around to help you. Giving birth abroad can be stressful or overwhelming, so having a support network or paid child care assistance could be helpful.
Preparation is Essential
Unfortunately, the process of having a baby in Indonesia requires quite a bit of documentation, and approximately 2-3 months of planning. To avoid complications down the line, it’s a good idea to start planning as soon as possible. With professional assistance, it will be much smoother to deal with these challenges, so you can focus on taking care of yourself and giving your baby the right start into this world. If you need assistance or help, feel free to contact our team at Bali Solve, and let one of our experts help you today via WhatsApp or by dropping into our office in Pererenan.
Written by
Tam Bali Solve
19th June 2025
