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The temporary stay permit in Indonesia, or KITAS as it is locally known, is not like other visas or stay permits. If you have a KITAS, you must get must apply for an Exit Permit Only (EPO) before leaving Indonesia or changing your sponsor.
In this article, we will explain why you need to cancel your KITAS and get an EPO. We will also discuss what will happen if you fail to complete this step.
What to do if your KITAS is about to expire
If you do not plan on extending your KITAS, you need to cancel it. Unlike other stay permits, expiration does not automatically mean cancelation. You must follow the procedure for canceling your KITAS. This involves returning all original documents to Indonesian authorities.
This procedure will clear the legal status between you and your sponsor. As such, both you and your sponsor are responsible for canceling the KITAS and obtaining an Exit Permit Only (EPO).
When do you need an Exit Permit Only (EPO) in Indonesia?
There are several situations when you must apply for an Exit Permit Only (EPO). These situations include the following:
- The KITAS is about to expire and there are no plans of extending it;
- The holder is leaving Indonesia and will still be overseas when the KITAS expires;
- Ending your employment with the company sponsoring your KITAS;
- Changing the sponsor of your current KITAS for example:
- When you change your employer in Indonesia;
- When you are about to switch from a working KITAS to a spouse KITAS, investor visa, or retirement KITAS.
If you are not sure about applying for an EPO or if you have concerns about your stay permit, get in touch with Emerhub. Our team can advise you on any steps you need to take regarding your residency status in Indonesia. We will also help you complete any necessary processes such as EPO application or KITAS extension.
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Requirements for processing EPO from Indonesia
To begin the application process for an EPO, you will need to prepare the following documents:
- Your passport;
- A copy of your exit flight itinerary;
- Original documents related to your KITAS. These include your work permit (IMTA) and payment to the Skills and Development Fund (DPKK).
Applying for the EPO is particularly important if you intend on coming back to Indonesia. This is also true if you plan on applying for a different Indonesian visa in the future.
Note that you must make enough time for your EPO application. This is because you have to show your EPO when you exit Indonesia. There are instances of foreigners attempting to leave Indonesia without the proper documents. In such cases, they unable to leave Indonesia and had to complete the EPO process first.
How to process EPO from abroad
If you leave Indonesia and you are unable to return before the end of your KITAS’ validity, you will need to apply for an Exit Re-entry Permit (ERP). You must settle everything related to your KITAS before you can return to Indonesia.
Emerhub can also assist in obtaining an ERP. To do this, you will need to prepare the following:
- A copy of your flight itinerary;
- A copy of the exit stamp in your passport;
- Original documents related to your KITAS. These include your work permit (IMTA) and payment to the Skills and Development Fund (DPKK).
You will not be able to enter Indonesia without an ERP if you have an expired KITAS. It is important to complete this process before going back to Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions about EPO in Indonesia
Emerhub often receives questions about EPO and the relevant procedures. We have gathered some of the most common questions and listed them below.
You must apply for the EPO at least two weeks before leaving Indonesia if you or your sponsor will not extend your KITAS.
You must prepare all travel and immigration documents. These include your passport, exit flight itinerary, KITAS, and other related documents.
In addition to the above, you must also coordinate with your sponsor to make sure everything is in order. For example, if your sponsor is a company that employed you, you and the company must sign a document stating that you can cancel your KITAS.
We will help you prepare all the required documents for the EPO application. Get in touch with us and our consultants will be happy to assist you.
The main purpose of the EPO is to clear your residency status in Indonesia. It will also clear the legal status between you and your KITAS sponsor. It is important to apply for an EPO before the cancellation or expiration of your KITAS. This is to make sure that you will not run into any issues when you visit Indonesia in the future.
You can leave Indonesia and come back as long as your KITAS is still valid. However, it is not that simple to return to Indonesia if your KITAS expires while you are abroad. Authorities will bar entry to Indonesia if you have an expired KITAS.
If your KITAS will expire before your planned return to Indonesia, apply for an EPO. If you are unable to do this, apply for an ERP before coming back to Indonesia.
A common misconception is that switching employers will automatically cancel your KITAS. However, when you move from one Indonesian company to another, you will have to first apply for an EPO. After this, you can apply for a KITAS sponsored by your new employer.
Emerhub can facilitate this process. Just fill out the form below to get in touch with us.
Need help getting your EPO before leaving Indonesia or getting an ERP to come back? Emerhub is ready to help you. Our team has a lot of experience in facilitating immigration requirements. Fill out the form below to get started or send an email to [email protected].
