KITAS Transfer 2026: How to Change Your Sponsor Company in Indonesia

Changing jobs in Indonesia when you hold a KITAS isn't as simple as updating your employment contract. Your KITAS is legally tied to your sponsor—the company or individual that applied for your work permit on your behalf. When you switch employers, you're changing sponsors, which means you need a completely new KITAS.

The good news: you don't have to leave Indonesia. The onshore transfer process (called "Altus" processing) allows you to stay in-country while your old KITAS is cancelled and your new one is processed. The bad news: it's expensive (IDR 36 million for onshore vs IDR 34.5 million for offshore), bureaucratically complex, and leaves you in a legal gray area for 2-4 weeks.

This guide walks you through every step of the KITAS transfer process in 2026, from notifying your old employer to collecting your new KITAS sticker from immigration.

---

Understanding KITAS Sponsorship

What Does "Sponsor" Mean?

Your KITAS sponsor is the legal entity responsible for your stay in Indonesia. For working foreigners, this is typically:

• PT PMA (foreign investment company) - for directors (E25B KITAS)
• Any Indonesian company - for employees (E23 KITAS)
• Individual Indonesian citizen - for spouses (E31 KITAS)
• Foundation or institution - for volunteers, researchers

The sponsor's name appears on your KITAS card and in immigration records. They are legally responsible for your compliance with immigration law, including:

• Ensuring you work only in approved positions
• Reporting your address changes (Wajib Lapor)
• Cancelling your KITAS when sponsorship ends
• Paying overstay penalties if you violate your visa terms

Why You Can't Just "Transfer" KITAS

Unlike some countries where work permits are portable, Indonesian KITAS is sponsor-specific. Immigration law treats each sponsor relationship as a distinct legal arrangement. When you change jobs:

1. Old sponsor must cancel your existing KITAS, IMTA (work permit), and RPTKA (foreign worker position allocation)
2. New sponsor must apply from scratch for new RPTKA, IMTA, and KITAS

There's no "transfer" button in the system. It's a full cancellation + full re-application process.

---

Onshore vs Offshore Transfer: Key Differences

You have two options for processing your new KITAS:

Onshore Transfer (Altus Processing)

What it is: Your new KITAS is processed while you remain physically in Indonesia. Uses special "Altus" immigration processing.

Pros:

• No need to leave Indonesia
• No flight costs or travel disruption
• Ideal if you're mid-project or have family/home commitments

Cons:

• Expensive: IDR 36,000,000 (Working KITAS Onshore via Bali Zero)
• Technically in legal limbo during processing (old KITAS cancelled, new one pending)
• Cannot travel internationally during the gap period

Best for: Directors, senior employees, or anyone who cannot afford to leave Indonesia for 1-2 weeks.

---

Offshore Transfer (Exit & Re-Entry)

What it is: You exit Indonesia on your old (cancelled) KITAS, then re-enter on a new visa sponsored by your new employer.

Pros:

• Slightly cheaper: IDR 34,500,000 (Working KITAS Offshore via Bali Zero)
• Clean legal break (you exit on old visa, enter on new one)
• Can combine with holiday or visit home

Cons:

• Must leave Indonesia (flight costs typically USD 200-500+)
• Logistically complex if you have housing, belongings, family
• Requires coordination with new sponsor to ensure visa approval before you exit

Best for: Employees who need to visit home anyway, or those who prefer a clean legal reset.

---

Cost Comparison Table

Pricing via Bali Zero (2026 rates). Offshore flights assume Bali-Singapore-Bali or similar short exit. Actual flight costs vary by route and timing.

---

Step-by-Step KITAS Transfer Process

Phase 1: Resignation & Cancellation (Week 1-2)

Step 1: Resign from Old Company

Provide written notice per your employment contract (typically 30 days). Clearly state your end date. Your old sponsor cannot legally cancel your KITAS until your employment formally ends.

Timing tip: Negotiate your end date to align with your new job start date. Ideally, you want minimal gap between old KITAS cancellation and new KITAS approval.

---

Step 2: Old Sponsor Cancels RPTKA & IMTA

Your old employer must cancel:

1. RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing) - the foreign worker position allocation
2. IMTA (Izin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing) - your specific work permit

This is done through the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) online system. Processing takes 3-7 business days.

Documents required:

• Termination letter or resignation acceptance
• Copy of your passport and KITAS
• Company TDP, SIUP, and business license
• RPTKA/IMTA certificates (originals)

Cost: Typically included in your IDR 3,500,000 cancellation fee if using Bali Zero or similar agent.

---

Step 3: Cancel Wajib Lapor (Address Registration)

Your sponsor must cancel your Wajib Lapor registration at the local immigration office. This formally removes your registered address from immigration records.

Processing: Same-day or 1-2 days, depending on local immigration office workload.

---

Step 4: Old Sponsor Notifies Immigration of Termination

Finally, your old sponsor files a formal notification with Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi (Directorate General of Immigration) stating your employment has ended and your KITAS sponsorship is terminated.

Critical: This step is non-negotiable. If your old sponsor doesn't formally cancel, immigration sees you as still employed, which blocks your new sponsor's application and creates legal complications.

---

Phase 2: New Sponsor Application (Week 2-4)

Step 5: New Sponsor Applies for RPTKA

Your new employer must obtain a new RPTKA from Kemnaker. This proves they have a legitimate foreign worker position and you meet the qualifications.

Documents required:

• Your CV and qualifications (degrees, certifications)
• Job description and contract draft
• Company TDP, NIB, SIUP, and foreign ownership documents (for PMA)
• Proof of Indonesian trainee/understudy (RPTKA requirement)

Processing: 7-14 business days.

Cost: Typically IDR 3-5 million, handled by your agent or HR department.

---

Step 6: New Sponsor Applies for KITAS (E23 Limited Stay Visa)

With RPTKA approved, your new sponsor applies for your E23 Limited Stay Visa at the Directorate General of Immigration.

For Onshore (Altus) Processing:

• Application submitted while you're in Indonesia
• Immigration reviews cancellation of old KITAS
• Issues new KITAS sticker and MERP (Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit)

For Offshore Processing:

• Application submitted to immigration
• Visa approval letter (Telex) sent to Indonesian embassy/consulate in your exit country
• You fly out, collect visa at embassy, then re-enter Indonesia
• KITAS sticker issued at arrival or local immigration office

Processing: 7-14 business days for onshore; 10-20 days for offshore (depends on embassy).

---

Step 7: Collect KITAS & IMTA

Once approved:

1. KITAS sticker is placed in your passport at immigration office
2. IMTA (work permit card) is issued, linking you to your new sponsor
3. MERP (Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit) allows you to travel internationally

Validity: Typically 1-2 years, matching your RPTKA duration.

---

Step 8: Register Wajib Lapor at New Address

Within 7 days of receiving your new KITAS, register your address (Wajib Lapor) at the local immigration office. This is legally required and checked during KITAS extensions.

---

Timeline Summary

Critical gap period: Between old KITAS cancellation and new KITAS approval, you're technically in limbo. Stay in Indonesia, don't travel, and keep low profile. Overstay penalties (IDR 1 million/day) could theoretically apply if processing drags beyond 60 days, though in practice immigration grants leniency during legitimate transfer processes.

---

Special Cases & Complications

Changing from E25B (Director) to E23 (Employee)

If you're resigning as a director of one PT PMA to become an employee at another company:

1. Remove yourself as director in the old company's Akta Perubahan (deed of amendment) at notary
2. Old company cancels E25B KITAS (linked to directorship)
3. New company applies for E23 KITAS (employee)
4. New company appoints you as employee (not director) in employment contract

Why it matters: E25B is for company leadership; E23 is for employees. Immigration checks company registration to verify your title matches your KITAS type.

---

Transferring Between Two PT PMAs You Own

If you own multiple PT PMAs and want to transfer your KITAS from Company A to Company B:

It's still a full cancellation + re-application. Immigration doesn't care that you own both companies. Each PT PMA is a separate legal entity, so you must:

1. Cancel KITAS from Company A
2. Apply fresh from Company B
3. Pay full processing fees again

Alternative: Keep your KITAS with Company A and work "on secondment" to Company B. Legally complex; consult a lawyer.

---

When Old Employer Won't Cancel

If your previous employer refuses to cancel your KITAS (e.g., you left on bad terms):

1. Attempt mediation: Explain that they're legally obligated to cancel when employment ends
2. Report to Kemnaker: File complaint with Ministry of Manpower
3. Immigration intervention: Contact Directorate of Immigration; they can force cancellation if employment clearly ended
4. Legal action: Last resort—hire lawyer to send formal demand letter

Delays: Uncooperative sponsors can add 2-4 weeks to the process. Your new sponsor's application will be blocked until the old KITAS is cleared.

---

Tax Implications of KITAS Transfer

Partial-Year Tax Returns

If you transfer mid-tax-year (Indonesia's tax year = calendar year), you may need to file:

1. Final tax return for old employer (January through resignation date)
2. Tax return for new employer (start date through December)

Withholding: Both employers withhold PPh 21 (income tax) from your salary. Ensure you receive tax documentation (Form 1721-A1) from your old employer to avoid double taxation or missing deductions.

---

Tax Residency Status

If your KITAS transfer involves leaving Indonesia for more than 183 days total in a calendar year, you may lose Indonesian tax residency status. This has implications for:

• Tax treaty benefits (if you're from a country with Indonesia tax treaty)
• Indonesian vs foreign tax obligations
• Capital gains, property, and investment taxes

Consult a tax advisor if your transfer involves extended time outside Indonesia.

---

Dependent KITAS Transfer (Spouse/Children)

If you hold a working KITAS (E25B or E23) and your spouse/children have dependent KITAS (E31), they must also transfer when you do.

Process:

1. Old sponsor cancels your E25B/E23 → dependent E31 KITAS automatically invalidated
2. New sponsor applies for your new E25B/E23
3. You apply for dependent E31 KITAS under your new sponsor

Costs (via Bali Zero):

• Dependent KITAS Onshore (Altus): IDR 13,500,000 per dependent
• Dependent KITAS Offshore: IDR 11,000,000 per dependent
• Cancellation: IDR 3,500,000 per dependent

Timeline: Dependent KITAS typically processes 1-2 weeks after your working KITAS is approved.

---

Document Checklist

For Old Sponsor Cancellation:

• Resignation letter or termination notice
• Copy of passport (bio page + KITAS sticker)
• Original KITAS card (if issued)
• Original IMTA (work permit card)
• Original RPTKA certificate
• Company documents (TDP, SIUP, Akta Pendirian)
• Wajib Lapor registration proof

---

For New Sponsor Application:

• Passport (valid 18+ months)
• Passport-sized photos (4x6 cm, white background)
• CV and cover letter
• Educational certificates (Bachelor's minimum for most positions)
• Employment contract (signed by you and new sponsor)
• New company's RPTKA approval
• New company's TDP, NIB, SIUP, Akta Pendirian
• Health insurance policy (covering Indonesia)
• Proof of old KITAS cancellation (from immigration)

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Coordinating Timing

Mistake: Resigning before your new sponsor's RPTKA is approved.

Result: You're unemployed in Indonesia with no legal sponsor. If your old KITAS is cancelled and your new one isn't ready, you're technically overstaying.

Fix: Time your resignation so your old KITAS cancels within 1-2 weeks of your new RPTKA approval.

---

2. Traveling During Transfer

Mistake: Leaving Indonesia after your old KITAS is cancelled but before your new one is approved (onshore processing).

Result: You can't re-enter Indonesia. Your old KITAS is invalid, and your new one isn't issued yet.

Fix: If you must travel, choose offshore processing and coordinate with your new sponsor to ensure visa approval before you exit.

---

3. Assuming Old Employer Will Handle Cancellation

Mistake: Leaving Indonesia immediately after resignation without confirming cancellation is complete.

Result: Old KITAS remains active in immigration records, blocking your new sponsor's application. You're stuck abroad waiting.

Fix: Use an agent (like Bali Zero) who coordinates both cancellation and new application. Get written confirmation from old sponsor that cancellation is filed.

---

4. Not Budgeting for Full Costs

Mistake: Only budgeting for new KITAS processing (IDR 34.5-36M) and forgetting cancellation (IDR 3.5M), dependent KITAS (IDR 11-13.5M each), flights, and miscellaneous fees.

Result: Cash flow problems mid-process; delays if you can't pay agent fees on time.

Fix: Budget IDR 45-55 million total for single applicant, plus IDR 14-17M per dependent.

---

When to Hire an Agent

KITAS transfers are legally doable without an agent, but practically difficult. Immigration offices prioritize agent applications (they're familiar faces with complete documentation). DIY applications often face:

• Document rejections due to formatting issues
• Longer processing times (immigration staff are overworked)
• Language barriers (many immigration forms are Bahasa Indonesia only)
• Bureaucratic runarounds ("come back tomorrow")

Recommended agents:

• Bali Zero (specialized in Bali, transparent pricing, English-speaking)
• LetsMoveIndonesia (Jakarta-focused, handles nationwide)
• Balindo (Bali-based, established reputation)

Agent fees: Typically IDR 8-12M above government costs, but includes document prep, immigration liaison, and troubleshooting.

---

FAQ

Can I start working for my new employer before my new KITAS is approved?

Technically no. Your IMTA (work permit) is sponsor-specific. Working without valid IMTA is illegal and can result in deportation and ban from Indonesia.

Practically: Many people do "soft start" (onboarding, training, admin tasks) while waiting for KITAS approval, avoiding client-facing or official work until IMTA is in hand. This is a legal gray area; proceed with caution.

---

What if my new employer is outside Bali but I live in Bali?

Your KITAS is tied to your sponsor's company registration, not your residential address. You can:

• Live in Bali with Wajib Lapor registered in Bali
• Work for company in Jakarta (your sponsor)
• KITAS processed in Jakarta immigration office (or nearest to sponsor's legal domicile)

Some agents can handle out-of-province processing remotely. Confirm with your agent if your sponsor is in a different province.

---

Can I transfer from Working KITAS to Spouse KITAS?

Yes, but it's a full re-application. If you're married to an Indonesian citizen:

1. Old sponsor cancels your E25B/E23 KITAS
2. Your Indonesian spouse applies for your E31 (spouse) KITAS
3. You no longer need RPTKA or IMTA (spouse KITAS doesn't allow work)

Cost: Spouse KITAS onshore is typically IDR 11-13.5M, cheaper than working KITAS.

---

How long is my new KITAS valid?

Your new KITAS validity matches your RPTKA duration, typically:

• 1 year for first-time or short-term positions
• 2 years for established companies and senior roles
• Up to 5 years cumulative (after 2-3 extensions, you may qualify for KITAP permanent residency)

After expiry, you extend (not transfer) unless you change sponsors again.

---

Conclusion

Transferring KITAS between sponsors in Indonesia is bureaucratically complex but entirely manageable with proper planning. The key is timing: coordinate with both your old and new employers to minimize the gap period between cancellation and approval.

Onshore processing (IDR 36M) is best if you cannot leave Indonesia; offshore processing (IDR 34.5M + flights) is better if you want a clean legal break and can afford to travel.

Budget 2-4 weeks and IDR 40-50 million total (including cancellation, agent fees, and miscellaneous costs). Use a reputable agent to navigate immigration bureaucracy, and ensure your old employer cooperates fully with cancellation.

If you're planning a KITAS transfer in Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia, contact Bali Zero for expert guidance and transparent pricing. We handle the entire process—from old sponsor cancellation to new KITAS collection—so you can focus on your new job.

---

Last Updated: February 17, 2026 AI Confidence Score: 0.89 Sources: Immigration Law No. 6/2011, Manpower Regulation No. 8/2021, Bali Zero internal case data (2024-2026)