02 Sep 2026 · TAMA Insight
Can a Foreign National Hold More Than One Stay Permit in Indonesia?
Under Indonesian immigration law, a foreign national (Warga Negara Asing or “WNA”) cannot hold more than one stay permit at the same time. The Indonesian immigration system essentially…
Under Indonesian immigration law, a foreign national (Warga Negara Asing or “WNA”) cannot hold more than one stay permit at the same time. The Indonesian immigration system essentially applies the principle that one foreign national may have only one active stay permit corresponding to their immigration status at any given time.
Legal Basis: Prohibition on Holding More Than One Stay Permit
Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration (“Immigration Law”) recognizes three main types of stay permits, namely the Visit Stay Permit, Limited Stay Permit (ITAS), and Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP).
The prohibition on holding more than one stay permit is expressly stipulated under Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013, which provides that every Foreigner staying in the Territory of Indonesia may not hold more than 1 (one) Stay Permit.
The same principle is reaffirmed under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023, which requires Foreigners staying in Indonesia to have a stay permit and prohibits them from holding more than one stay permit.
Accordingly, Indonesia’s immigration regulatory framework establishes a clear principle: one foreign national, one active stay permit.
Change of Status Does Not Mean Holding Two Stay Permits
The existence of several types of stay permits should not be interpreted as allowing a foreign national to hold multiple stay permits simultaneously.
Under the Immigration Law, a Visit Stay Permit may end when its status is changed into a Limited Stay Permit. Similarly, a Limited Stay Permit may end when its status is changed into a Permanent Stay Permit.
Therefore, a change in immigration status constitutes a change of stay permit status, rather than the addition of a new permit on top of an existing active permit.
For example, when a foreign national changes from an ITAS to an ITAP, the foreign national does not retain both the ITAS and ITAP as two active stay permits simultaneously. The previous stay status ends through the applicable change-of-status mechanism, and the new status becomes the basis of the foreign national’s stay permit.
This is also consistent with the Immigration Law, which regulates the granting and cancellation of ITAS and ITAP by the Minister or designated Immigration Officer.
Exceptions Do Not Mean Multiple Stay Permits Are Permitted
Indonesian immigration regulations recognize certain circumstances in which a foreign national may be exempted from the obligation to hold a stay permit.
For example, Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013 regulates certain circumstances involving foreign nationals whose stay permits expire while they are undergoing detention or imprisonment, as well as certain categories of victims of trafficking in persons.
These provisions do not constitute an exception allowing a foreign national to hold two stay permits. Rather, they constitute an exception to the obligation to hold a stay permit under certain circumstances.
If the foreign national is subsequently declared not to have committed the relevant criminal offence, a stay permit may be granted again in accordance with Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013. This mechanism again demonstrates that the immigration system is oriented toward one applicable stay status, rather than the simultaneous issuance of a second stay permit.
Implications for Foreign Nationals and Sponsors
The principle of one active stay permit becomes particularly important when a foreign national changes the basis or purpose of their stay in Indonesia, for example, from employment to investment, family reunification, or another eligible category.
A foreign national should not assume that meeting the requirements for another stay permit category automatically entitles them to retain their existing stay permit while obtaining a second permit.
Instead, the appropriate mechanism may involve a change of status, cancellation, expiry, or issuance of a new stay permit, depending on the applicable immigration basis and procedure.
For sponsors and companies, this principle is also important from a compliance perspective. The foreign national’s immigration status, sponsor, employment or investment basis, and supporting information should remain consistent with the active stay permit recorded in the immigration system.
How TAMA Global Mobility Can Assist
TAMA Global Mobility supports Foreign Nationals, families, employers, multinational companies, and foreign investors in navigating Indonesian immigration and Global Mobility matters, including:
- assessment of applicable stay permit options and immigration status;
- review of existing immigration status and stay permit records;
- advisory on change of status, renewal, and transition between stay permits;
- review of sponsorship, employment, investment, and other underlying immigration grounds;
- immigration compliance assessment and identification of potential status inconsistencies; and
- strategic advisory on complex immigration, Global Mobility, and regulatory matters.
TAMA Global Mobility assists clients through an approach focused on structured immigration, global mobility, and regulatory compliance.
Disclaimer: Here
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TAMA Global Mobility
WhatsApp: +62 821-1015-402
Email: info@tamaglobalmobility.com
For additional insights on Indonesian immigration compliance and global mobility matters, explore our related publications:
Can Foreign Nationals Convert KITAS to KITAP in Indonesia?
Can Foreign Nationals Extend Their Stay Permit in Indonesia Online?
When Immigration Conducts an Inspection: What Can Immigration Officers Ask in Indonesia?
Change of Address in Indonesia: Immigration Reporting Obligations for Foreign Workers (TKA)
Foreign Artists Performing in Indonesia: When Is a Work Permit Required?
