How to Apply for The Indonesia Investor Visa (KITAS)

There are actually two ways to get an investor visa in Indonesia: apply for an KITAS Pelabur (E28A) atau Indonesia’s Golden Visa (E28B/E28C and related options). This page explains both, but stays focused on the investor visa route most foreign investors, business investors, and other foreign nationals use for day-to-day business in Indonesia.

What is an Investor KITAS (E28A)?

Investor KITAS (also called investor ITAS or investor kitas holders’ stay permit) is a visa specifically designed for investors in Indonesia who hold shares and serve as a company’s representative (typically as a director or commissioner) in an Indonesian company. It’s issued as an electronic visa (an e visa) first by the Indonesian government, and then becomes a limited stay permit (ITAS) after you enter Indonesia. It can also support family members (with their own dependent permits) when eligible.

The E28A visa is generally available as a 1-year or 2-year visa (a “year visa” choice). You must use it while it’s still valid (there’s a 90-day window to enter after approval). That’s how many temporary residents start their legal stay. After arrival, the system issues your stay permit and re-entry permission once you’re admitted at the checkpoint.

Who should use E28A (and who shouldn’t)?

E28A is meant for individual investors who sit on the board (director/commissioner). If your shares invested are below the required minimum value, or you’re really doing employee work, you may need a different work visa/permit route.

Investor KITAS vs Golden Visa (and why people mix them up)

The Golden visa policy is Indonesia’s longer-stay program (often casually called Indonesia’s golden visa) to attract global talent, foreign investors, and even corporate investors. Golden visa holders can get a long-term residence permit, usually 5 or 10 years, so it’s a big “Indonesia long-term” option if you hate renewals.

There are multiple Golden Visa paths with different minimum investment rules. For example, E28B is the company establishment route, where you submit a statement of commitment to establish a company with a minimum investment amount that differs for 5 vs 10 years. E28C is the “without establishing a company” route, where you place funds into options like government bonds, public company shares, or deposits, US$350,000 for 5 years or US$700,000 for 10 years, according to Immigration’s public guidance.

So here’s the simple split: E28A is for board-level investors with IDR 10B shares in a sponsor company. A golden visa is for bigger, longer-term placements under specific categories.

Do Investor KITAS holders need a work permit?

Indonesia separates immigration status (visa/ITAS) from manpower rules (work permit-style approvals). Under the Ministry of Manpower rules, “Pengesahan RPTKA” does not apply to directors or commissioners with certain share ownership, or to qualifying shareholders, under certain conditions.

In simple terms, many investor ITAS holders don’t need the same manpower approval as a normal foreign employee. But it’s not a free pass to do any job, employee’s work may still require the proper work permit route.

Your sponsor company: what needs to be ready

KITAS Pelabur (E28A) is a 2-year temporary stay permit option for foreigners who invest in an Indonesian PT PMA as the company’s CEO/director, commissioner, or shareholder (and it explicitly allows board-level roles like direksi/komisaris in the sponsor company).

Before the company can start sponsoring investors for the KITAS, the sponsor should already have its Business Registration Number (NIB) issued via OSS and the relevant trading/commercial licenses needed for its activities. The sponsor also needs a Visa Online (guarantor) account registered with the Directorate General of Immigration, because the sponsor submits the investor visa application (and even extensions) through that registered account.

How to Apply Indonesia Investor Visa / KITAS

• Step 1: Check Your PMA Status
• First, make sure your PT PMA is fully active and ready to sponsor, meaning your business has the right setup and your role fits the Investor KITAS profile (for an investor-director/commissioner or shareholder). If you’re actually aiming for 5–10 years, you may be looking at the Visa Emas route and its minimum investment plan instead.
• Step 2: Add Investor KITAS to Your Order
• Once your PMA is ready, add Investor KITAS E28A to your cart on our website and complete checkout for payment.
• Step 3: Fill Out Your Application Form
• After checkout, you’ll be redirected to a secure form to enter your personal details and upload your documents for the visa application.
• Step 4: Document Check by Our Team
• Our team reviews your information and the company’s documents carefully. We’ll reply within one business day via email or WhatsApp to confirm everything or ask for anything missing.
• Step 5: Data Upload to Immigration System
• Once payment is received and your file is complete, we submit your visa application through the Indonesian immigration system. If you pay by bank transfer, send your receipt right away to avoid delays.
• Step 6: Registering Your Company as a Sponsor
• We register your sponsor company with immigration so it can sponsor your Investor KITAS. This usually takes 2–3 business days.
• Step 7: Processing Your E-Visa
• After the sponsorship registration is done, we process your electronic visa (your e visa) application. This step typically takes around 7–14 business days, depending on processing time and completeness.
• Step 8: Receive Your E-Visa
• Once approved, we send your e visa to you via WhatsApp or email. You must enter Indonesia within 90 days from the date the visa is issued, and in most cases, you don’t need to visit an Indonesian embassy.
• Step 9: Arrival in Indonesia
• After you enter Indonesia, let us know within two weeks. We’ll arrange to collect your passport, or you can drop it off at our office.
• Step 10: Final KITAS Processing
• We submit your passport to immigration to process your E-KITAS and (if applicable) your multiple-entry re-entry permit. This usually takes about 10–14 business days. You’ll need to visit the immigration office once for a photo and fingerprints.
• Step 11: Receive Your E-KITAS
• When your E-KITAS and passport are ready, we’ll notify you immediately. You can pick them up at our office or request delivery. Keep your E-KITAS file safe, it functions like your immigration immigration ID card for everyday checks.

Documents Required

• For a successful application, prepare clean scans and ensure names match across all documents.
• Required documents from the applicant
• Sponsor letter (issued by the sponsor company)
• Guarantee letter (issued by the sponsor company)
• Passport scan (color): biodata/identity page dan the passport cover (passport must be valid for at least 30 months at the time of application)
• Personal bank statement: last 3 months, showing a minimum ending balance of USD 3,000 (or equivalent)
• Recent color photo/self-photo (clear, front-facing)
• Required documents from the sponsor company (PT PMA)
• Ministry decree approving/legalizing the company’s Articles of Association (MoLHR legalization decree)
• Articles of Association plus the latest deed amendments (if any)
• Business Identification Number (NIB / Nomor Induk Berusaha)
• Business/Operational License (Izin Usaha) atau Standard Certificate (for OSS RBA)
• OSS location document (location permit/business location document, as applicable)
• Company Tax ID (NPWP Badan Usaha)
• Director/manager identity documents:
  • Passport + ITAS (for a foreign director), atau
  • KTP/ID (for a local director/manager)
• Company letterhead + company stamp (for official letters)
• ID of the Indonesian person in charge (e.g., local director/manager/commissioner responsible for the application)
• Company bank statements: last 3 months, showing a minimum balance of USD 10,000 (or equivalent)
• Common add-ons (often requested for investor cases, recommended to prepare)
• Proof of the applicant’s role (appointment letter/company decision naming the applicant as CEO/director/commissioner)
• Proof of share ownership (shareholder register, share certificate, or other supporting evidence aligned with the company’s records)

Renewal, maximum stay, and the path to permanent residence

E28A is extendable, but it’s still a temporary stay permit. Immigration’s published guidance for the E28 category notes extensions can be granted, with the overall ITAS period not exceeding 6 years for this type of ITAS.

If your goal is permanent residence, you’re really talking about a permanent stay permit (ITAP/KITAP). Immigration’s FAQ explains that investors can be eligible to convert ITAS to ITAP after living in Indonesia for at least 3 consecutive years (plus extra documents and compliance).

Many immigration offices ask for an updated SKTT / domicile document when you extend an Investor KITAS, and it’s also commonly listed as a requirement when you convert an ITAS (KITAS) to an ITAP (KITAP). If you don’t have an SKTT yet, you can use Visa Indonesia’s SKTT service to apply online. We handle the Dukcapil (Population & Civil Registration) paperwork for you, so you typically don’t need to visit the office in person.

Need help?

If you want the simplest path, we can review your documents, confirm the right route (Investor KITAS vs golden visa), and handle the end-to-end process with your sponsor. Contact visa-indonesia.com when you’re ready, and we’ll help you obtain the right permit.