**The investor KITAS is a limited-stay permit that lets a foreign shareholder live and work in Indonesia through their own PT PMA (foreign-owned company), without needing a separate work permit (IMTA). As of June 2026, it is usually issued for one or two years, and approval rests entirely with Indonesian immigration.**
If you are setting up a company in Bali and want to stay long-term as the person who owns and steers it, this is the route most foreign investors look at first. Below is how it actually works, who qualifies, what you need, and roughly how long each step takes — written plainly, with the honest caveats that a YMYL topic like immigration demands.
We are Bali Investor Club, operated by Bali Premium Trip — an independent broker and concierge. We are not immigration officials, not a licensed law firm, and not a tax adviser. Treat everything here as orientation, not legal advice, and confirm specifics with a licensed agent and the Directorate General of Immigration.
What is the investor KITAS, exactly?
KITAS stands for Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas — limited stay permit card. The “investor” variant is tied to a PT PMA in which you hold shares. Its defining feature is the index code: the investor KITAS commonly falls under index E28A (one to two years) in the post-2024 visa structure that consolidated the older 312/313/314 codes.
The big practical advantage: an investor KITAS holder who is also a director or commissioner generally does not need a separate IMTA work permit or the associated DKP-TKA skill-development levy (roughly USD 100 per month of sponsored work in older schemes). You are working as an owner of your own company, not as a hired foreign employee. That distinction is what makes this permit attractive versus a standard work KITAS.
Who qualifies for an investor KITAS?
You qualify in principle if you genuinely own shares in an active PT PMA and the company meets Indonesia’s foreign-investment thresholds. The headline numbers, current as of June 2026 and subject to change:
| Requirement | Figure (June 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum total investment plan | IDR 10 billion per business line/location | Excludes land and buildings; this is the BKPM/OSS investment commitment, not cash in hand on day one |
| Minimum paid-up / issued capital | IDR 10 billion (commonly) | Often stated as minimum capital for a PT PMA |
| Shareholding for KITAS (director/owner) | IDR 1 billion+ in shares (commonly cited) | A widely used practical threshold for the individual applying as investor; verify current rule |
| Permit duration | 1 or 2 years (E28A) | Renewable; multiple-entry |
A few honest points. The IDR 10 billion “investment” figure is a plan registered through the OSS (Online Single Submission) system, not a sum you must wire before you can begin. Capital realization happens over time. The IDR 1 billion individual-shareholding signal is frequently quoted by agents as the practical bar for an investor KITAS, but immigration weighs the whole file — company status, your role, document consistency — so do not treat any single number as a guaranteed pass.
What does the process actually look like?
The investor KITAS is downstream of the company. You cannot get the permit before the PT PMA exists, because the company is your sponsor. The broad sequence:
- Establish the PT PMA — deed of establishment via a notary, Ministry of Law approval (SK Kemenkumham), NIB and business licensing through OSS.
- Appoint yourself as director, commissioner, or shareholder in the company documents.
- Apply for the visa / e-VOA-to-KITAS path — historically a Telex/approval (e-ITAS) is issued, then the KITAS card.
- Biometrics and reporting — fingerprints and photo at the immigration office, plus civil-registration steps (SKTT, sometimes a police certificate / STM).
- Receive the KITAS and, if needed, a re-entry permit (MERP) so you can leave and return.
The cleanest way to think about it: get the company right first, and the personal permit follows. Rushing the immigration step before the corporate paperwork is solid is the most common reason files stall.
What documents do I need?
Expect to provide both company and personal documents. A typical list:
- Passport valid at least 18 months, with blank pages
- The PT PMA deed of establishment and SK Kemenkumham (Ministry approval)
- NIB (business identification number) and OSS licensing
- Shareholder structure / latest company data showing your shares
- Recent passport-style photo on a red background
- Proof of address in Indonesia (for the domicile / SKTT step)
- Tax number (NPWP) for the company, and often a personal NPWP later
- Sometimes a police clearance certificate from your home country
Document consistency matters more than people expect. A name spelled two ways across your passport and the company deed, or a mismatched address, can send a file back to the start.
Roughly how long does it take?
Here are rough working ranges as of June 2026. These are estimates, not promises — actual times depend on the immigration office, document quality, and current backlogs. Decisions and timing rest with immigration.
| Stage | Rough duration |
|---|---|
| PT PMA setup (notary → SK → NIB) | 2–6 weeks |
| Visa approval / e-ITAS (Telex) | 1–3 weeks after a complete file |
| Biometrics + KITAS card issuance | 1–2 weeks after arrival |
| Total, company-to-card | commonly 6–10 weeks |
If your PT PMA already exists, the immigration portion alone often lands in the two-to-four-week range once documents are complete. Renewals are generally faster than first issuance.
The honest limits you should keep in mind
A short, plain list of things people often get wrong:
- It is not a residency guarantee. Approval, renewal, and any policy change are decided by Indonesian immigration, not by your agent and not by us.
- The capital figures are planning thresholds, not pocket money. IDR 10 billion is an investment commitment registered through OSS, realized over time.
- No “buy a KITAS” shortcut is legitimate. A genuine, active PT PMA with real activity is the foundation. Shell arrangements carry real risk.
- Rules move. Index codes, durations, and thresholds have changed more than once since 2023. Date-stamp anything you rely on and re-check before filing.
- Tax follows residency. Becoming an Indonesian tax resident has consequences worth discussing with a licensed tax adviser before you commit.
The investor KITAS rewards getting the company right first. If your PT PMA is properly formed, your role is real, and your documents line up, this is a well-trodden path — but every figure above is current to June 2026 and could shift, and the final call always sits with the authorities.