⚠️ Urgent Immigration Advice Needed: Expired MERP and Return to Indonesia with KITAP

[Kukibunki]

Hello everyone,

I'm in a bit of a bind and desperately need some experienced advice on Indonesian immigration matters.

The Situation​

I'm a KITAP holder (valid until 2027) currently abroad, having traveled here from Jakarta on November 19th.

• The Problem: My Multiple Exit Re-Entry Permit (MERP) expired in February 2025. I completely forgot to renew it because my KITAP is still valid for a couple more years.
• The Warning: Upon departing Jakarta, I was stopped at passport control. They ultimately let me board, but only after I signed a declaration (which I have an attachment of), essentially stating that my KITAP will automatically expire/be cancelled if I do not renew my MERP before re-entering Indonesia. Things got really hectic whilst I was abroad, so I essentially forgot about it.
• The Attempted Fix (A bit late, I know!): My wife (my sponsor) just registered the renewal application online yesterday, but she hasn't been verified yet.
• The Timeline: My return flight is scheduled for in a few days.

My Core Questions​

1. Should I Postpone the Flight?
   • If yes, what is a realistic minimum number of days I should allow for the online MERP renewal process, from registration/payment to final approval/issuance?
2. If I Don't Postpone the Flight (The Risk):
   • What is the worst-case scenario when I land in Jakarta with an expired MERP but a valid KITAP?
   • Can they simply refuse entry and put me on the next flight out (deportation)?
   • Will they definitely cancel my KITAP automatically upon arrival?

---

Context & What I Know/Worry About​

• I know the rules state an expired MERP voids the KITAP upon re-entry. The declaration I signed re-affirms this.
• I've read that the processing time for MERP renewal is generally quoted as 3-5 working days after payment. Since my wife has only registered and hasn't received the verification/billing code, the clock hasn't even started on those 3-5 days.

Any advice from someone who has been through a similar situation, or who has up-to-date knowledge of the current Indonesian immigration process for KITAP/MERP holders, would be a lifesaver right now. I'm trying to weigh the cost of changing the flight against the massive headache and potential loss of my long-term residency status.

Thank you in advance!

 

[harryopal1]

As I understand it your Kitap will no longer be accepted. You can apply for a visa on arrival but then will need to start the long, tedious process of Kitas to Kitap all over again.

 

[marcus]

... I signed a declaration (which I have an attachment of), essentially stating that my KITAP will automatically .. be cancelled if I do not renew my MERP before re-entering Indonesia ...

It is not what the Law states (see below) .

Immigration Law (UU no.6 Year 2011) - free translation
Article 62
(1) A KITAP may be terminated because :
a. its holder leaves Indonesia for more than 1 year or don't intend to return to Indonesia;
d. it is revoked by the Minister or a designated Immigration Officer;
e. its holder is deported; or ...
(2) A KITAP may be revoked because its holder :
a. committed a crime against the state as stipulated in laws and regulations;
b. carries out activities which endanger state's security;
c. violates the Integration Statement ;
d. employs foreign workers without work permits;
e. provides false information in the filing of the petition for the KITAP;
f. is subjected to an Immigration Administrative Measure/penalty, or ...

... My wife (my sponsor) just registered the renewal application online yesterday, but she hasn't been verified yet. My return flight is scheduled for in a few days. Should I Postpone the Flight?

I guess so .

If yes, what is a realistic minimum number of days I should allow for the online MERP renewal process, from registration/payment to final approval/issuance?

If your wife is using the Immigration online service for the first time , it is difficult to know . For a good agent & your wife having all required documents already , maybe around 1 week .

If I Don't Postpone the Flight (The Risk):
a) What is the worst-case scenario when I land in Jakarta with an expired MERP but a valid KITAP?

You will be denied entry . See a similar case at https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/merp-expired-kitap-tarik-advise-please.8265/#post-114232

b) Can they simply refuse entry and put me on the next flight out (deportation)?

You simply cannot enter Indonesia (deportation is when you are inside Indonesia and supposedly did some illegal things - not having a MERP is not illegal either) .

c) Will they definitely cancel my KITAP automatically upon arrival?

I don't think so .

I know the rules state an expired MERP voids the KITAP upon re-entry. The declaration I signed re-affirms this.

See the related part of the Law above .

 

[Kukibunki]

Thank you so much, Marcus. Do we need an agent to handle the online process, or is it something we can complete ourselves?

Also, if this is against the law, could you please clarify why did they include on the declaration statement then?

Cheers

 

[marcus]

... Do we need an agent to handle the online process, or is it something we can complete ourselves?

I guess that if you are used to computer , making/changing pdf file & photos , it is not difficult . I had to learn about changing pdf & photos and was also not difficult (see below how i did and other similar process) . I mentioned about agents because if it urgent , maybe it is worth paying these people who supposedly know how to do it quickly (although it is also possible that an agent can be worse than you) .

ITAS to ITAP Sponsored by Indonesian Spouse , how I did it

1) Registered the Indonesian spouse's account & contacted my local Kantor Imigrasi to ask about the required documents + sample of : Surat Permohonan , Surat Integrasi , and Surat Pernyataan dan Jaminan (I did it through Whatsapp written messages) . 2) Login , and selected "SERVICES" (or "MY...

www.expatindo.org

Two Year E31A Spouse Visa (First time Application)

Hey Everyone 👋, it's been a while since I've posted but just wanted to ask fellow spouse holder's who have gone the the process So I'm looking to make my application as early as next year as I'm still working in the UK, happy with the whole application process, I'm just unsure of what to expect...

www.expatindo.org

if this is against the law, could you please clarify why did they include on the declaration statement then?

I think it was a mistake , like it was also a mistake at https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/merp-expired-kitap-tarik-advise-please.8265/#post-114232

 

[Kukibunki]

Thanks so much, Marcus. It might have been a mistake (from a legal point of view), but they did have a template form that I needed to sign in order to leave the country. Which makes me think it's a standard thing.

 

[marcus]

... but they did have a template form that I needed to sign in order to leave the country. Which makes me think it's a standard thing.

Just confirmed that the 2011's Law was not significantly revised by reading this newer Regulation .

-----------------------------

PerMen no.11 Year 2024 - free translation
Article 143
(1) A Stay Permit will expire if:
a. its holder go back to his/her country of origin and no longer intends to return to Indonesia;
b. it expired;
c. it is revoked;
d. its holder is deported;
e. its holder dies;
f. its holder becomes an Indonesian;
g. the foreigner's passport .. has expired and a new one has not been reported;
h. the foreigner becomes a dual citizenship according to Indonesia Law; and/or
i. obtains Immigration facilities.
(2) In addition to the reasons for the expiration of a Stay Permit as referred to in paragraph (1), a Stay Permit may also expire due to a change in status:
a. a Visit Stay Permit to a Limited Stay Permit; or
b. a Limited Stay Permit to a Permanent Stay Permit.
(3) The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) letter a also apply to holders of Permanent Residence Permits who:
a. leaves Indonesian territory for more than 1 (one) year or do not intend to return to Indonesia; or
b. returns to his/her country of origin and does not intend to re-enter Indonesia.
(4) Foreigners holding Limited Residence Permits and Permanent Residence Permits whose Residence Permits expire for the reasons referred to in paragraph (1) letters f, h, and i are required to return their Residence Permits to the issuing Immigration Office in accordance with statutory provisions.

 

[Hawk256]

Thanks so much, Marcus. It might have been a mistake (from a legal point of view), but they did have a template form that I needed to sign in order to leave the country. Which makes me think it's a standard thing.

Regardless of what Marcus says the law is (and he may be correct) I still don't think you would win an argument with immigration by telling them that they didn't follow the law. Maybe be better to do as they say since they hold all the cards. Just my opinion.

 

[Kukibunki]

I actually agree with you, Hawk. The problem is that they’re not responding. The latest information I received was that sponsor account verification takes 3–5 days (it's day 4 today, nothing yet), followed by another 5–7 working days for the MERP extension. Given that I’m supposed to travel on the 31st and there are upcoming holidays, the timeline is...veeeery tight.

 

[Hawk256]

I actually agree with you, Hawk. The problem is that they’re not responding. The latest information I received was that sponsor account verification takes 3–5 days (it's day 4 today, nothing yet), followed by another 5–7 working days for the MERP extension. Given that I’m supposed to travel on the 31st and there are upcoming holidays, the timeline is...veeeery tight.

You might want to delay your travel if at all possible. Not the ideal answer I know but it may be the safest.

 

[Kukibunki]

Not possible. I delayed it once already and I can't exactly stay in the country I am in right now forever (that visa will expire by the end of the year too).

 

[harryopal1]

Could you travel to Singapore or Malaysia on a tourist visa to pad out the time?

 

[Kukibunki]

In theory yes, but that would also involve changing tickets and paying extra money to airlines, which I ideally want to avoid.

 

[Hawk256]

In theory yes, but that would also involve changing tickets and paying extra money to airlines, which I ideally want to avoid.

I get where you are coming from and it sucks to be in that position but you will surely lose more by trying to take the flight, getting denied entry and then having to pay for a new ticket again. I really don't think this story has an ending that will make anyone but Indonesian Immigration completely happy. Sorry to be Debbie Downer and I hope it works out differently.

 

[Kukibunki]

Of course, but, thinking about it, on what grounds could they possibly deport me? I didn't commit any crimes. They could, of course, cancel my KITAP and I'd have to go through that annoying process all over again (presumably on VoA), but did anyone here experience worse than this?

 

[marcus]

... The latest information I received was that sponsor account verification takes 3–5 days (it's day 4 today, nothing yet), ...

As far as I remember , the first time I tried to register it took more than a month (but I was not in a hurry so I just waited) , so I suggest you to contact your local Kantor Imigrasi to know if there is something causing the delay .

 

[Hawk256]

Of course, but, thinking about it, on what grounds could they possibly deport me? I didn't commit any crimes. They could, of course, cancel my KITAP and I'd have to go through that annoying process all over again (presumably on VoA), but did anyone here experience worse than this?

Mainly because your re-entry permit is expired and you signed a declaration that "essentially stated that my KITAP will automatically expire/be cancelled if I do not renew my MERP before re-entering Indonesia." All it takes is one person who feels like they have a little power to screw it up no matter who is right or wrong. And even if you are able to come back in on a tourist visa, there could be issues because you didn't do an EPO for your KITAP if they take away as stated. With all this being said, it may not be an issue at all. It feels like a 50/50 gamble to me but that is just my opinion.

 

[Kukibunki]

As far as I remember , the first time I tried to register it took more than a month (but I was not in a hurry so I just waited) , so I suggest you to contact your local Kantor Imigrasi to know if there is something causing the delay .

I did and they couldn't tell me anything useful. They just told me to write to Direktorat Jendral, which I did. No reply yet.

 

[Kukibunki]

Mainly because your re-entry permit is expired and you signed a declaration that "essentially stated that my KITAP will automatically expire/be cancelled if I do not renew my MERP before re-entering Indonesia." All it takes is one person who feels like they have a little power to screw it up no matter who is right or wrong. And even if you are able to come back in on a tourist visa, there could be issues because you didn't do an EPO for your KITAP if they take away as stated. With all this being said, it may not be an issue at all. It feels like a 50/50 gamble to me but that is just my opinion.

My KITAP is still active as of now. I checked.

 

[harryopal1]

My KITAP is still active as of now. I checked.

Yes, but unless you can obtain an IMK before you return the Kitap will be cancelled. At least that is my understanding but there have been so many changes in recent years. Good luck.