MERP on KITAP

[yc12]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some advice and confirmation from the community regarding my spouse-sponsored KITAP and the new regulations introduced in December 2024.

My Situation:
I hold a 5-year spouse-sponsored KITAP, issued in 2021, valid until 2026.

It requires reporting or renewing the Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit (MERP) every 2 years, with my last report done in 2023. The next is due around September 2025.

My Indonesian spouse (sponsor) and I are currently living in Australia and unable to travel to Indonesia until December 2025 due to work commitments.

I’ve read that as of December 2024, all KITAPs now include a MERP valid for the full 5-year duration of the KITAP, eliminating the need for 2-year renewals [Ref: Flado Indonesia, Converting KITAS to KITAP, 2025].

Questions:
Can anyone confirm if the December 2024 rule (5-year MERP validity) applies retroactively to KITAPs issued in 2021?
Would this mean I don’t need to report or renew my MERP in September 2025?

If the new rule doesn’t apply, is it possible to handle the MERP renewal or reporting remotely from Australia (since both my spouse and I are abroad)? Has anyone done this through a visa agency or the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate?

If I can’t renew/report by September 2025, will my KITAP become invalid, or can I reactivate it when I return in December 2025? Any experiences with this?

 

[jstar]

The bad news; there is no such thing as retroactively and the existing MERPs expire on their end date.

The good news; via the eVisa system you can extend the MERP (IMK) online now. You don’t need to visit the Immigration office anymore so theoretically this can be done abroad as well avoiding jumping through hoops at the embassy/consulate.

You in this case means your spouse, she as sponsor has to create the account. There are some threads about this, even with screen prints.

 

[jstar]

I’ve read that as of December 2024, all KITAPs now include a MERP valid for the full 5-year duration of the KITAP, eliminating the need for 2-year renewals [Ref: Flado Indonesia, Converting KITAS to KITAP, 2025].

This is not completely correct btw. You can choose which MERP duration you want, there is even an unlimited version which will cost you 8 million rupiah.

 

[yc12]

Hi Jstar, thanks for the info. My wife (sponsor) just registered in the evisa.immigration.co.id website. How long does it usually take for verification (reads: registration successful and now time for verification)?

Do I also have to perform the same action of registering?

 

[jstar]

How weird it might seem, you don’t have to register. But of course you do ‘register’ when you upload your passport and KITAP.

Now it’s still weekend of course, you can assume it will take no more than 2 working days for the verification.

And then two more for the approval. Don’t forget to scan everything you have. And combine it into a PDF except the picture and passport.

 

[yc12]

Thanks Jstar. I find it really weird that my wife asked the Surabaya immigration like last month, and the person was "you have to visit the immi office in person, you can't do it online ". Sometimes they can be so annoying.

When you say scan everything I have, what docos will that include?

 

[marcus]

It requires reporting or renewing the Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit (MERP) every 2 years, with my last report done in 2023. The next is due around September 2025.

As far as I understand , it is not mandatory to get a new IMK/Re-Entry Permit (MERP) if you don't need it .

My Indonesian spouse (sponsor) and I are currently living in Australia and unable to travel to Indonesia until December 2025 due to work commitments.

In case you don't know , be alerted that your KITAP will end if you stay more than 1 year outside Indonesia continuously (see the rule below) .

Article 143 of PerMen no.11 Year 2024 - free translation
(1) A Residence Permit (ITAS or ITAP) ends if:
a. the Residence Permit holder returns to his or her country of origin and does not intend to re-enter Indonesia;
...
(3) The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) letter a also apply to Permanent Residence Permit/ITAP holders who:
a. leave Indonesia for more than 1 year or do not intend to return to Indonesia; or ...

I’ve read that as of December 2024, all KITAPs now include a MERP valid for the full 5-year duration of the KITAP,

Now : if you request the 5 years KITAP , you can (or must) get the 5 years Re-Entry Permit (MERP) ; if you request the unlimited KITAP , you can (or must) get the unlimited time Re-Entry Permit .

Can anyone confirm if the December 2024 rule (5-year MERP validity) applies retroactively to KITAPs issued in 2021?

The 5 years Re-Entry Permit does not apply to your 2021's KITAP .

Would this mean I don’t need to report or renew my MERP in September 2025?

You will need a new IMK/Re-Entry Permit (MERP) to return to Indonesia , but not necessarily in September .

... is it possible to handle the MERP renewal ... remotely from Australia ...

Yes .

Has anyone done this through a visa agency

Many did , but not me .

or the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate?

It is possible that the Embassy & Consulate don't do it anymore .

If I can’t renew ... by September 2025, will my KITAP become invalid, ...

No .

My wife (sponsor) just registered in the evisa.imigrasi.go.id website ... Do I also have to perform the same action of registering?

For Immigration processes related to your present KITAP , only your sponsor's account is necessary .

You (or somebody in your behalf) must register your own account in case you want to request/get an Indonesian Visa which does not require a sponsor (like a Visa-on-Arrival , or Tourist Visa , or ...) .

 

[yc12]

Hi Marcus, thanks for the detailed info. Forgot to mention on my initial post. I did enter Indonesia on January 2025 ensuring I am not outside Indonesia more than a year.

I just had a converstaion with on of the visa agent in Bali and they mentioned, we can no longer do it remotely and have to be present in Indonesia at the time as they have made it compulsory to visit imigrasi office for photo.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi Marcus, thanks for the detailed info. Forgot to mention on my initial post. I did enter Indonesia on January 2025 ensuring I am not outside Indonesia more than a year.

I just had a converstaion with on of the visa agent in Bali and they mentioned, we can no longer do it remotely and have to be present in Indonesia at the time as they have made it compulsory to visit imigrasi office for photo.

That wasn't necessary last year! They are constantly changing the rules. Maybe it's a way to get more $ from the Bules. I used an agent last year, and all I had to do was provide the proof of bank account, Health insurance, Passport with at least six months on it, Surat Domicile. It was much more expensive, but I didn't have to go to Immigration, or anything! So It's up to you. If you want to make it easy on yourself. Get an Agent!

 

[marcus]

... I just had a conversation with on of the visa agent in Bali and they mentioned, we can no longer do it remotely and have to be present in Indonesia at the time as they have made it compulsory to visit imigrasi office for photo.

I think they are mistaken or they thought you want to extend your KITAP . On last 29 May Indonesian Immigration started to require us to go to their Office for a photo & interview for extension of Stay Permits (Visit Stay Permit , ITAS , ITAP) - not for anything else . You can see the details at https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/extension-of-stay-permit.8041/ .

I just checked at Imigrasi Press Release (https://www.imigrasi.go.id/siaran_pers) , there was no change to Re-Entry Permit rule this year , and some members already got Re-Entry Permit extension online this year .

 

[jstar]

It requires reporting or renewing the Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit (MERP) every 2 years, with my last report done in 2023. The next is due around September 2025.

As far as I understand , it is not mandatory to get a new IMK/Re-Entry Permit (MERP) if you don't need it .

I remember it was necessary to always have a valid MERP/SERP. But many years ago -in the early LIIEF days- it disappeared from the applicable law so we interpreted that as only mandatory when you would travel abroad and cross immigration.

 

[jstar]

When you say scan everything I have, what docos will that include?

KTP, KK, marriage certificate, surat sponsor, passport pages (KITAP, MERP, ID pages), … I recall there‘s also a form but online I don’t think I used it.