Direct Answer
An investor KITAS is a limited stay permit issued to a foreign shareholder of an Indonesian foreign-owned company (PT PMA), obtained through the E28A investor visa. Immigration requires proof of shareholding of at least IDR 10 billion in a sponsoring company registered with the investment ministry. Stay is granted for one or two years and can be extended.
What is an investor KITAS?
It is a temporary stay permit (ITAS, commonly called KITAS) for a foreign national who invests in an Indonesian company, entered on the E28A investor visa and then converted in-country.
The Directorate General of Immigration lists the visa on its E28A investor visa page. A separate E28B category exists for investors who are still establishing the company, described on the E28B page; this article covers E28A.
How much must you invest to qualify?
The investor must show shareholding of at least IDR 10 billion, or the equivalent, in a sponsoring company registered with the investment ministry (BKPM).
Immigration offices state that before Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regulation 22 of 2023 the equivalent threshold was IDR 1 billion, and that it was raised to IDR 10 billion (Imigrasi Banggai notice). Older guidance quoting IDR 1 billion is therefore out of date.
The threshold applies to the investor's own shareholding, not to the company's total investment plan. Two different tests run side by side:
| Test | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration (E28A) | Foreign investor's shareholding in the sponsor company: at least IDR 10 billion | Immigration E28A page |
| Company investment (PT PMA) | Total investment above IDR 10 billion excluding land and buildings, per 5-digit KBLI per project location | BKPM Regulation 4 of 2021, Art. 12 |
The second test has exceptions for some sectors (for example wholesale trade and food service), and the investment ministry has issued later rules. Confirm the instrument in force when you file. Thresholds for a permanent stay permit for investors are set separately and have been reported inconsistently, so check them with the immigration office before planning around them.
Can an investor also be a director or commissioner?
Yes. Immigration states that an investor visa holder may act as a director or commissioner of the company in which they invest.
The condition is the shareholding. If your shares are below the IDR 10 billion threshold and you hold a director or commissioner post, Immigration says you must apply for a work visa for that position instead. A work visa needs a manpower approval, discussed in our guide to RPTKA for foreign workers. Article 30 of Manpower Ministry Regulation 8 of 2021 exempts directors or commissioners with a specified shareholding, and shareholders, from RPTKA approval, subject to the conditions in that article.
What documents does the application need?
The core set is the company's legal deed, proof of the IDR 10 billion shareholding, company bank statements, and the personal documents listed by the processing immigration office.
From the Soekarno-Hatta immigration office listing and the official page:
- Passport valid for the planned stay and the sponsoring company's details.
- The Ministry of Law approval deed for the company, and evidence that the company is registered with BKPM.
- Proof of shareholding of at least IDR 10 billion or equivalent.
- Company current account statements for the last two months. If the company is under two months old, they can be submitted up to 90 days after the ITAS is issued.
- Personal supporting documents such as a CV, proof of living funds and an itinerary, as listed by the office.
The visa must be used within 90 days of issue. Applications and extensions are filed through the official eVisa portal.
What are the steps from visa to KITAS?
The sequence is company set-up, sponsorship, visa issue, entry, then ITAS conversion and registration at immigration.
- Set up the sponsor. Establish the PT PMA and obtain its business identity. See our company registration guide and the note on the company registration number.
- Capitalise it. Make sure the investor's shareholding evidences at least IDR 10 billion.
- Apply for the E28A visa through the eVisa portal with the company as sponsor.
- Enter Indonesia within the 90-day validity.
- Convert to ITAS at the immigration office. Stay is granted for one or two years.
- Extend online before expiry, for the same 1-year or 2-year options.
Statutory social security applies to foreigners who work in Indonesia for at least six months under Article 14 of Law 24 of 2011, so plan BPJS enrolment alongside the permit; see our explainer on NPP, the BPJS Ketenagakerjaan company number.
What should investors watch for?
The recurring problems are shareholding that falls short of the threshold, inconsistent company records, and reliance on outdated figures.
Immigration has publicly stated it is tightening checks on misuse of investor visas and permits (press release). Keep the shareholder register, deed amendments and bank evidence consistent with what was filed, and re-check requirements at each extension. For overall structuring, see our guide to starting a business in Indonesia.
Next step
JCSS Indonesia supports foreign investors with company set-up and shareholder structuring through its PT PMA set-up service. Immigration decisions rest with the authorities, and this article is general information, not immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for an investor KITAS?
Immigration requires proof of shareholding of at least IDR 10 billion, or equivalent, in a sponsoring company registered with the investment ministry. Earlier guidance quoting IDR 1 billion predates Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regulation 22 of 2023. Confirm the current figure with the processing immigration office before restructuring shareholdings.
How long is an investor KITAS valid?
The E28A page offers stay of up to one year or up to two years, and the visa itself must be used within 90 days of issue. Extensions can be filed online through the eVisa portal. Apply before expiry and keep the company's records consistent with the original filing.
Can a foreign investor be a director with an investor KITAS?
Yes, Immigration states an investor visa holder may serve as a director or commissioner of the company invested in. If the shareholding is below the IDR 10 billion threshold, a work visa for that position is required instead, which involves manpower approval under the foreign worker rules.
Does an investor KITAS holder need an RPTKA?
Not automatically. Article 30 of Manpower Ministry Regulation 8 of 2021 states that RPTKA approval does not apply to directors or commissioners with a specified shareholding, and to shareholders, subject to its conditions. If the shareholding falls short, a work visa and RPTKA are usually needed. Check the article text for your facts.
Can a new company sponsor the application?
Yes, but the company must be registered with BKPM and able to show the shareholding. If it is under two months old, bank statements can be submitted up to 90 days after the ITAS is issued, according to the Immigration listing. Registration and capital must be in place first.
General information only, not legal or tax advice for your specific facts. Regulations change; confirm the current position with JCSS Indonesia before acting.