Unlimited KITAP

[pantaiema]

There is other posts regarding this unlimited ITAP, MERP.

https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/global-citizenship-indonesia.8256/page-4#post-115985

The OP has a ground to query this. There is a reason to suspect that the immigration might have a common believe that the unlimited ITAP is only valid for 10 or 15 years (see attached). even though the authoritative source, say other wise. E.g Unlimited and only require to report it every five years.
Permen_Imipas_No_3_2025 Article 34 para (1), it is clearly stated, five years reporting requirement and no fees:

"Diaspora holding Permanent Residence Permits for an unlimited period of time are required to report to the Immigration Office whose working area covers the Diaspora's residence every 5 (five) years and are not subject to any fees."

It is not uncommon in Indonesia, it does not really matter what the regulation / law is saying, what they have been told by their superiors is what they will apply in their decision making. But we will understand it better if there are more people are sharing their personal experience.

 

[marcus]

... It is not uncommon in Indonesia, it does not really matter what the regulation / law is saying, what they have been told by their superiors is what they will apply in their decision making ...

I don't agree . I have been reading more than 50 (most related to us foreigners) Indonesian Laws & Regulations maybe since 2008 , and as far as I remember I notice this occurring only once : in relation to the Tax Law applicable to resident foreigners not officially working/doing business in Indonesia .

I did know about other cases when regulations were not correctly applied , but due to some few officers' mistakes .

 

[pantaiema]

I don't agree . I have been reading more than 50 (most related to us foreigners) Indonesian Laws & Regulations maybe since 2008 , and as far as I remember I notice this occurring only once : in relation to the Tax Law applicable to resident foreigners not officially working/doing business in Indonesia .

I did know about other cases when regulations were not correctly applied , but due to some few officers' mistakes .

Ahaaa, People are definitely entitled to agree or disagree on something.
What about the apparent cases where marriages between people of different religions were still being recognised by the civil registry in the past? That is one of the clearest examples.

It was only after the Supreme Court dropped the bombshell instructing judges on the lower court not to approve such marriages that they began to stop doing so.

Another obvious example is the example on this thread about the validity of unlimited ITAP whether, 10 yrs, 15yrs where the regulation clearly states, it is unlimited with five years reporting requirement with no fees.

 

[marcus]

... What about the apparent cases where marriages between people of different religions were still being recognised by the civil registry in the past? That is one of the clearest examples...

I did hear about but I was not interested , maybe because it affects very few people and in a way that I don't consider important .

 

[jstar]

If you think that affects very few people* and don’t consider it important, you have no clue about the Indonesian society. And obviously many cases have been popping up on expat forums. Also, most of the 60.000-80.000 Chinese Muslims are converts, that could be opportunistic but many are because of a Muslim spouse (who would not convert).

* Data from the Jakarta Population and Civil Registration Agency (Dukcapil) confirms that between 2020 and August 2025, there were exactly 1,952 mixed marriages registered in Jakarta alone. The Dukcapil Office, noted that the figure averages around 250–300 couples per year.

https://zwubin.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/chinese-muslim-web2.pdf

 

[serious_fun]

How many times per year can one convert to a different religion? I was considering conversion to whatever religion has upcoming feasts & holidays. Then, conversion to the next, etc., etc.

It may get expensive if karta keluarga, KTP, etc. need to be updated regularly, but just think of the feasting and the gifts! 🍽

 

[marcus]

If you think that affects very few people* and don’t consider it important, you have no clue about the Indonesian society ...

Please explain how did you conclude that this specific personal choice of mine means I know nothing about the Indonesian society .