If you plan to live in Indonesia with your spouse, start by checking your spouse’s nationality and immigration status. A foreign national married to an Indonesian citizen generally uses the E31A family reunification route. If both spouses are foreign nationals and one holds an eligible Indonesian stay permit, the joining spouse generally uses E31B. Both routes require proof of marriage, but the documents that establish eligibility are different. Indonesian Immigration’s stay permit guidance.
What is a spouse ITAS in Indonesia?
A spouse ITAS is a limited stay permit (Izin Tinggal Terbatas) based on a qualifying marriage. It is often called a spouse KITAS. If you apply from abroad through the limited stay visa route, the VITAS is the visa used to seek entry to Indonesia; the ITAS is the permission to reside in Indonesia for the approved period. An ITAP is a permanent stay permit. Indonesian Immigration’s visa classification guide.
E31A vs. E31B: Which route applies to you?
| Visa index | Who it is for | What to prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| E31A | A foreign national legally married to an Indonesian citizen (WNI) | The Indonesian spouse’s identity and family records, the marriage document, and any applicable proof of reporting an overseas marriage |
| E31B | A foreign national joining a foreign spouse who holds an eligible Indonesian ITAS or ITAP | The marriage document, the resident spouse’s passport and valid stay permit, and the applicable sponsorship documents |
E31A: Joining an Indonesian spouse
The Indonesian spouse acts as the responsible party for the application. Prepare their national identity card (KTP) and family card (Kartu Keluarga or KK), along with the application letter or other documents required for the selected procedure.
If you married in Indonesia, prepare the official marriage book (buku nikah) or marriage certificate (akta perkawinan). If you married abroad, check which proof of marriage reporting or registration is required alongside the foreign marriage certificate. A translation addresses the language of the certificate; it does not replace proof that the marriage was reported. Yogyakarta Immigration’s service standards for limited stay permits.
E31B: Joining a foreign spouse with an ITAS or ITAP
Prepare the official marriage certificate, the resident spouse’s passport, and a copy of their valid Indonesian ITAS or ITAP. Confirm who should submit the application and what sponsorship evidence is required for the resident spouse’s permit category. If that permit is close to expiry, check how its remaining validity affects the dependent application before filing. Singaraja Immigration’s E31B guidance.
What documents should you prepare before applying?
For an initial application, gather the applicant’s valid passport, a recent colour photograph, the official marriage record, and the supporting documents for E31A or E31B. Check the official Indonesian eVisa portal for the full checklist, including any requirements for proof of living expenses, sponsorship letters, and translations.
Compare the names, dates of birth, and passport details across the documents. For example, if the marriage certificate shows a maiden name and the current passport shows a married name, identify the official record that links the two before submitting. If the marriage certificate is in a language other than Indonesian or English, check whether the procedure requires a sworn Indonesian translation. Yogyakarta Immigration’s document guidance.
How to apply for a spouse ITAS in Indonesia
- Confirm your route and where to apply. If you are abroad, review the relevant family reunification option on the eVisa portal. If you are already in Indonesia, ask Immigration whether your current stay status can be converted through an alih status application. Being married does not make every visitor status convertible. Depok Immigration’s change-of-status guidance.
- Prepare and submit the application. Have the appropriate sponsor or responsible party submit the documents through the designated channel. Follow the official billing instructions and keep a copy of the submission and payment records. Indonesian Immigration’s online visa guidance.
- Follow Immigration’s instructions after submission. Respond to any requests for additional documents. If you receive a VITAS, check the deadline for using it to enter Indonesia and follow the instructions for obtaining your electronic stay permit. Once the ITAS is issued, verify your name, passport number, and expiry date.
Get spouse visa application support in Jakarta
If you are unsure which family route applies, or whether your overseas marriage documents are ready, a document review can help you identify what to resolve before submitting. Devisa Global Services offers visa application services and stay permit assistance for couples preparing to live together in Indonesia.
Speak with a Devisa visa consultant in Jakarta on WhatsApp. To start the conversation, tell us where you married, whether your spouse is an Indonesian citizen or an ITAS/ITAP holder, and whether you are currently in Indonesia.
Devisa Global Services is an independent private consultancy. Indonesian Immigration assesses applications and issues visas and stay permits.