Yes, you can convert a tourist visa (VoA/e-VoA, C1 [formerly 211A], or certain D-visas) into a KITAS without leaving Bali by applying for a Bridging Visa with a 60-day stay validity. To be eligible, your current stay permit must still be valid. A Bridging Visa functions as a transition visa that allows you to move from a tourist status to a KITAS.
You can convert to a Work, Investor, Family, or Student KITAS as long as you have at least 15 days of valid stay remaining. However, having 30+ days left is recommended because it provides extra processing time and reduces the risk of overstays, delays, or rejection. This is not a legal requirement, but it makes the process safer.
You cannot convert if the KITAS type is offshore-only (such as Digital Nomad E33G or Retirement KITAS), or if you have overstayed your visa.
Key Terms (So the Rules Make Sense)
To understand what you can convert, it helps to know how Immigration sees your stay:
- ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan): Visit Stay Permit, the status you hold once you’re inside Indonesia on a tourist / business / social visa.
- ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas): Limited Stay Permit = what people call KITAS
- Bridging Visa / Bridge Visa: a 60-day, non-extendable permit that lets you change from one status to another without leaving Indonesia.
The Bridging Visa: The Key to Changing Status Without Leaving
The Bridging Visa (sometimes called Bridge Visa) was formally introduced to make status changes easier:
- It lets foreigners in Indonesia change from one stay permit to another without leaving the country.
- It’s valid for 60 days, non-extendable.
- It can be applied for online via the official e-Visa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) when you hold:
- Visa on Arrival
- Limited Stay Permit (ITAS / KITAS)
- Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP / KITAP)
For many onshore KITAS scenarios, the real sequence is:
Tourist Visa (VoA / C1 / etc.) → ITK → Bridging Visa → ITAS/KITAS
rather than a direct “instant conversion” from tourist visa to KITAS.
When You Can Convert a Tourist Visa to KITAS in Bali
1. Visa on Arrival (VoA / e-VoA)
- You arrive on VoA / e-VoA and receive a 30-day stay, extendable once to 60 days.
- Before your VoA stay ends, you can apply for a Bridging Visa via the e-Visa system (https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/) or get help from Visa BaliEasy as a Bali visa agency.
- The Bridging Visa gives you 60 days of legal stay, non-extendable.
- Within the first 29 days of that Bridging Visa, you submit your KITAS application (work, family, investor, student, etc.) so that at least 15 days of Bridging validity remain while Immigration processes your KITAS.
This route is now openly advertised by several firms as VoA → Bridging → KITAS without leaving Indonesia.
2. C1 (Previously 211A)
If you entered with a C1 tourist visa or certain other C/D visit visas, you usually hold an ITK stay permit that can be upgraded to ITAS/KITAS.
Typical conditions:
- You must have sufficient time left on your stay (commonly 31+ days).
- If you have less time, you first move to a 60-day Bridging Visa, then convert from there.
From here, you may transition to:
- Investor KITAS (if you own or invest in a PT PMA)
- Work KITAS (if you’re employed by an Indonesian company with RPTKA/IMTA approval)
- Family / Dependent KITAS (sponsored by spouse/parent)
- Student KITAS (school / university sponsor)
When You Cannot (or Should Not) Convert Onshore
1. Certain KITAS Types Are Offshore Only
- Remote Worker / Digital Nomad KITAS (E33G)
- Retirement KITAS
So even though the Bridging Visa is flexible, not every KITAS category is open for a tourist-to-KITAS jump while you sit in Bali.
2. You Are Already Overstay
Indonesia now enforces very strict overstay rules:
- IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay for up to 60 days.
- Overstay > 60 days can lead to deportation and re-entry bans.
In that situation, Immigration is focused on clearing the overstay and getting you out, not converting you to KITAS. The Bridging Visa and onshore conversion options assume you are still in valid status when you apply.
Step-by-Step Converting a Tourist Visa to KITAS While in Bali
⚠️ This is a general overview, not legal advice. Your exact steps and allowed route depend on your nationality, your sponsor, and current regulations.
1. Identify Your Current Status
- Check:
- What visa did you enter with? VoA/e-VoA, C1, D1, etc.
- Is it already extended?
- What expiry date is stamped as your stay limit?
- You need to still be in valid stay, not overstay.
2. Confirm That Your Target KITAS Can Be Done Onshore
- Discuss with a professional whether your plan is realistic, for example:
- Work KITAS with a sponsoring company
- Investor KITAS tied to a PT PMA
- Family KITAS based on marriage/children
- Student KITAS via school/university
- Be aware that some types (e.g. Nomad E33G, Retirement) may still require offshore application, even if you are already in Bali.
3. Arrange a Sponsor
Every KITAS needs a sponsor:
- Company sponsor for work / investor KITAS (with RPTKA, IMTA/work permit where required).
- Indonesian spouse / parent or foreign spouse with KITAS/KITAP for Family KITAS.
- Educational institution for Student KITAS.
Your sponsor will also provide guarantee letters and company/family documents used in the ITK → ITAS conversion.
4. Apply for a Bridging Visa (If Needed)
If you’re starting from VoA / e-VoA or your visit stay is running low:
- Your sponsor or agency submits a Bridging Visa application via the official e-Visa system.
- Once approved, you receive 60 days of stay under the Bridging Visa.
- This keeps you legal in Indonesia while you prepare the KITAS documents.
5. Submit Your KITAS Application
- Within the first 29 days of your Bridging Visa (or while you still have 31+ days on your ITK if not using Bridging), your sponsor files your KITAS (ITAS) application under the correct index (work, investor, family, student, etc.).
- Immigration reviews your documents and may request clarifications or additional paperwork.
6. Biometrics & Local Immigration Visit
For most KITAS, you’ll need to visit a local Immigration Office (Kantor Imigrasi) to:
- Take photos & fingerprints (biometrics)
- Sign documents and confirm your address
7. Receive Your KITAS
If approved:
- Your KITAS (ITAS) is issued electronically (PDF) and/or as a stamp/record in the system.
- The Bridging Visa or previous ITK closes automatically, and you now hold KITAS status.
