Investor KITAS E28A
Two-year residency tied to shareholding in an Indonesian PT PMA. The usual route for people running a business here.
- Typical timeline
- 21–45 working days
- Valid for
- 24 months
- Price range
- On request
The E28A investor KITAS is a two-year residence permit granted on the basis of shareholding in an Indonesian foreign-owned company, a PT PMA. It is the usual route for anyone running a business on Bali, from a rental villa or a café to consulting and agency work.
The key thing to understand up front: the company comes first, then the visa. You cannot obtain an investor KITAS without a PT PMA — the permit is issued to a shareholder of an existing legal entity. So the real project has two stages, and incorporating the company takes longer than the visa itself.
A PT PMA is a full Indonesian legal entity with foreign founders. It carries requirements on paid-up capital, on business activity codes (KBLI) and on reporting. Some activities are closed to foreigners or capped by ownership share — that gets checked before incorporation, not after.
Against a work KITAS, the investor route has two practical advantages: two years instead of one, and no monthly foreign worker levy that an employer pays under a work permit. The trade-off is that you carry the company — reporting, tax and licence renewals continue even if the business is dormant.
After five continuous years on KITAS, the path to permanent KITAP status opens.
Read this first — when this is the wrong permit
- You do not want to run a company and file reports — if you work remotely for foreign clients, the E33G KITAS is cheaper and simpler
- You are an employee of an Indonesian company rather than a shareholder — you need a work KITAS (E23)
- You want to "buy a visa" without operating — the company files reports and pays tax regardless of turnover, and that is a real ongoing load
- Your activity falls in a list closed to foreigners — no amount of capital fixes that, it needs a different structure
Who qualifies
- Shareholding in an Indonesian PT PMA
- Paid-up share capital at the required level
- KBLI activity codes open to foreign ownership
- A passport valid for at least 18 months
- Proof of company address and of your own accommodation
- Not holding a position that requires a separate work permit
Documents you will need
- PT PMA incorporation deed and shareholder resolution
- NIB — the business identification number
- Proof that share capital has been paid up
- Passport scan, photo page
- Colour photograph per immigration specifications
- Office or registered address lease
How the process runs
-
Activity check 2–5 days
We map KBLI codes to what you will actually do and check the foreign ownership limits. This is usually where it emerges that the planned activity needs a different structure or a local partner.
-
PT PMA incorporation 3–6 weeks
Deed, notary, ministry registration, NIB and licences. This is the long pole, and every later date depends on it.
-
KITAS application 14–21 working days
Once the company exists and capital is paid up, we file the shareholder visa application and handle immigration correspondence.
-
Arrival, biometrics, card 3–7 days
Local formalities: biometrics and collection of the KITAS card, with our staff attending in person.
Common questions
Can I get the KITAS before incorporating?
No. The permit is issued to a shareholder of an existing PT PMA, so the company is registered first. People usually stay on a B211A visit visa while incorporation runs.
Do I need an Indonesian partner?
For most activities, no — a PT PMA can be 100% foreign-owned. But some KBLI codes are capped by foreign ownership share or closed entirely, which is checked before incorporation.
Can I work in my own company?
The investor KITAS gives you shareholder status. If you hold a position and draw a salary for it, that is a different construction and needs individual review — this is where most issues arise during inspections.
What about tax and reporting?
A PT PMA files monthly and annual reports whether or not it traded. Gaps lead to penalties and to problems at visa renewal, so accounting belongs in the budget from day one.
Can my family get permits?
Yes. A spouse and minor children apply as dependants. Their file is separate but runs in parallel.
Related permits
Remote Worker KITAS E33G
One-year residency for people employed or contracted outside Indonesia. Income must come from foreign sources.
Work KITAS E23
Residency sponsored by an Indonesian employer, tied to a specific position and company.
Family / Spouse KITAS E31
Residency through marriage to an Indonesian citizen, or as a dependent of a KITAS holder.