The dependent stay permit (ITAS) allows foreign family members to reside in Indonesia. This type of stay permit (ITAS) can be applied for foreign family members who are accompanying their family member who is a stay permit (ITAS). Several stay permit categories allow dependent ITAS, including stay permits for workers, investors, retirements, students, remote workerts and researchers. In addition stay permit holders who hold an ITAS under the following progarms: second home visa, diaspora visa and golden visa.
Foreign family members are not allowed to work in Indonesia. In case a family member has found a job in Indonesia, the dependent permit must be cancelled and the family member must apply for a work permit and stay permit which are sponsored by the Indonesian company. There are two types of work permits available for foreign workers in Indonesia: a short term work permit or long term work permit.
Dependent permits for foreign family members can be sponsored by a foreign ITAS holder or Indonesian family member
Which family members can apply for a Family stay permit (ITAS)
Eligible family members
Indonesia has a conservative approach as to who are considered family members. The following family members are eligible for a dependent permit (ITAS):
- an opposite sex spouse (husband/wife), which is proven by a certificate of marriage;
- unmarried children under 18 years of age;
- parents which is proven by a family register or birth certificate; and
- unmarried siblings under 18 years old which is proven by a family register
Non-eligible family members
The following family members are not recognized in Indonesia, and are therefore not eligible for a dependent permit (ITAS):
- Same-sex marriages: Indonesian immigration regulations do not generally recognize same-sex married spouses or partners as ‘dependents’. Such partners will have to seek the right to enter and stay in Indonesia in their individual capacity.
- Permanent unions, domestic or civil partnerships: Indonesian immigration regulations do not recognize partnerships or unions between family members. As such, the Indonesian Immigration will not grant a dependent permit to family members who are bonded based on union or partnership.
For short-term stays in Indonesia without work authorization, unmarried partners and same-sex spouses may apply for a Visitor Visa (unless they are visa-exempt or eligible for a visa on arrival). The entity sponsoring the employed partner must present a sponsor letter when the Visitor Visa application is submitted to the relevant authorities. There are limits to the length of time allowed in the country based on the type of Visitor Visa issued.
Application procedure
The application procedure for the dependent stay permit (ITAS) consists out of two main steps as set out below. A detailed description of the permits and reports in each stage we have discussed in our general overview of work permit and stay permit.
Step 1. Stay Permit from Immigration
Since family members do not work in Indonesia they do not require any authorization from the ministry of manpower. Their application focuses on obtaining the stay permit and in-country permits from local authorities. The stay permit (ITAS) application is processed by the Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) and the local immigration office. The following visas and permits need to be obtained:
- eVisa (Electronic Visa). The DGI will issue the eVisa for each family member. This eVisa allows them entry into Indonesia and to apply for a stay permit once they are inside Indonesia. The eVisa is valid for 90 days from the issuance date.
ITAS (Stay Permit) and MERP (Re-entry Permit). Upon arrival, the family member will take biometrics at the Immigration Checkpoint at the airport of Indonesia. They may pass through the Auto-Gate system or proceed to a manual check at the Immigration counter. Note that only electronic passport and electronic visa holders are eligible to use the auto-gate. After they pass the immigration checkpoint, they will receive electronic ITAS and MERP automatically from the system within a few days.
Step 2: Permits issued by local authorities
After the eITAS is issued, the following documents will need to be arranged:
- Updated: Police Report (SKK) from the local police office (applicable to certain region/city where foreigner stay and thus further checking is required).
Certificate of Temporary Residence (SKTTS) from the civil registration office.