It is possible to get permanent residency in Bali, but in most cases you first need to obtain a temporary residence permit, known as a KITAS.
After several years, provided you meet the requirements of immigration law, it can be replaced with a KITAP, which is a permanent residence permit.
We look at who is eligible for a KITAP, how long the process takes, and what alternatives are available.
What a KITAP is and how it differs from a KITAS
KITAS is a temporary residence permit in Indonesia. It is issued for work, investment, living with family, or retirement. How long it is valid depends on the permit category.
KITAP is a permanent residence permit that allows a foreigner to live in Indonesia on a long-term basis. The first KITAP is usually issued for five years, after which the status can be extended. The law also provides for an indefinite KITAP, which must be reconfirmed every five years.
There is no separate permanent residency for Bali: both permits are valid throughout Indonesia. You do not need to acquire Indonesian citizenship.
Who can get permanent residency in Bali
Indonesian law sets out several categories of foreigners who are eligible for a KITAP.
Investors. Foreigners who hold a stake in an Indonesian PT PMA company can switch from an investor KITAS to a KITAP after three years of continuous residence. A standard investor KITAS requires a personal stake of at least IDR 10 billion, while a KITAP requires at least IDR 15 billion. Different conditions apply to long-term investor visas.
Spouses of Indonesian citizens. A family KITAP can be obtained after two years of marriage. From 2026, this category will also have access to Global Citizen of Indonesia (GCI), a special scheme that allows applicants to obtain an indefinite KITAP through a separate procedure, without the standard transition from a KITAS.
Family members of KITAP holders. Spouses and children of foreigners with permanent residency can apply for a KITAP on the basis of their family relationship.
Foreign professionals. Certain categories of executives, including senior company management and heads of representative offices of foreign organizations, can switch from a work KITAS to a KITAP. One of the conditions is at least three years of continuous residence on a KITAS.
Retirees. Foreigners aged 55 and over can obtain an E33F retirement KITAS and later switch to a KITAP. When applying, they must prove they have sufficient financial means and meet the other requirements of the category.
How to switch from a KITAS to a KITAP
The process usually involves four stages:
- Choose the basis for your residence: investment, work, family, or retirement.
- Obtain a KITAS in the relevant category.
- Live in the country for the required period and meet the conditions for the switch.
- Submit a KITAP application to the immigration office.
For investors, retirees, and certain categories of employees, the standard requirement is three years of continuous residence on a KITAS. For spouses of Indonesian citizens, the requirement is two years of marriage.
The documents required depend on the basis of your application. Typically, you will need a passport, a valid KITAS, your sponsor's documents, and proof of your eligibility for permanent residence, such as company documents, a marriage certificate, proof of income, or other paperwork.
In some cases, documents issued outside Indonesia must be apostilled and translated into Indonesian.
Second Home: an alternative to a standard KITAP
The Second Home program is available to financially secure foreigners. It allows them to obtain long-term status without employment, marriage, or investment in an operating business.
The main requirement is a deposit of at least $130,000 in an Indonesian state-owned bank or the purchase of an apartment worth at least $1 million.
Second Home status is initially granted for up to five years. It is not the same as a standard KITAP, but if the established requirements are met, it may later be possible to switch to permanent residency.
How to keep your permanent status
Holding a KITAP does not exempt you from immigration rules. Foreigners must report changes to their address, marital status, and other circumstances as required by law.
Spending more than a year outside Indonesia may be grounds for the KITAP to be revoked. Divorce, the closure of a company, or the end of the basis on which the permit was issued can also affect your status.
A KITAP does not change a foreigner's citizenship. A residence permit is enough to live in Bali permanently, while obtaining an Indonesian passport is a separate naturalization procedure.
Adult foreigners would have to renounce their previous citizenship, as Indonesia does not allow dual citizenship for adults.
If you are planning to move to Indonesia, read the Legal Indonesia article to learn more about how to get permanent residency in Bali, what requirements applicants must meet, and which documents you will need.
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