Having a baby in Indonesia as a foreign national involves more than arranging hospital and civil registration documents. Parents must also ensure that their newborn has the appropriate immigration status to remain legally in the country.
A child’s citizenship and immigration status are separate matters. Being born in Indonesia does not automatically grant a child Indonesian citizenship. Instead, the child’s nationality and the appropriate stay permit depend on the circumstances of the parents, including whether they hold Indonesian citizenship, a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS/KITAS), or a Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP/KITAP).
For expatriate families, understanding the correct immigration route is particularly important. A newborn may qualify for a direct ITAS application, while other circumstances may require a family-sponsored visa or a different immigration arrangement.
Under Indonesia’s immigration regulations, parents must also observe a specific reporting and application deadline following the child’s birth.
Which Immigration Route Applies to a Newborn in Indonesia?
The appropriate immigration route depends on the parents’ legal status and the circumstances of the child’s birth.
The following table provides an initial overview:
| Parent’s immigration status | Relevant immigration route |
| Parent holds ITAS/KITAS | Newborn ITAS route, subject to applicable requirements |
| Parent holds ITAP/KITAP | Dependent KITAP route, subject to eligibility |
| One parent is an Indonesian citizen | E31C, where applicable |
| Parent’s stay permit is approaching expiry | Assessment based on the existing permit and the child’s eligibility |
Understanding E31E and E31C Family Visas
E31E, commonly referred to as a Dependent Visa, is a family-based immigration route that allows eligible foreign nationals to join a parent or sponsor holding ITAS or ITAP.
For children joining a foreign parent, E31E may be relevant depending on the circumstances and applicable immigration requirements. However, it should not automatically be treated as the required route for every newborn.
A newborn born in Indonesia to a parent holding ITAS may qualify for a specific direct ITAS application under Indonesia’s stay-permit regulations. In such circumstances, the child may not need to obtain an E31E visa before receiving the stay permit.
Meanwhile, E31C applies to certain children from marriages involving an Indonesian citizen, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions. This may also be relevant to family immigration arrangements involving spouses of Indonesian citizens, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
The distinction matters because the correct procedure depends on the child’s circumstances, rather than simply the general category of a Dependent Visa.
2. How to Get a KITAS for a Newborn Baby in Indonesia
For foreign parents, obtaining a KITAS for a newborn involves several administrative procedures. These include hospital documentation, civil registration, passport issuance and immigration reporting before the ITAS application can be submitted.
Step 1: Obtain the Hospital Birth Documentation
The first step is to obtain official birth documentation from the hospital or healthcare facility where the baby was delivered.
Indonesian immigration regulations recognise a hospital birth certificate or a birth certificate issued by the competent authority as supporting evidence for a newborn ITAS application.
Parents should check that the document contains accurate information, particularly the baby’s full name, date of birth and parents’ details.
Step 2: Register the Birth with Dukcapil
Parents should complete the applicable civil registration procedures with the Population and Civil Registration Office (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil or Dukcapil).
The registration process establishes the child’s civil identity in Indonesia and provides supporting documentation for subsequent passport and immigration procedures.
Further information is available through the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration.
Step 3: Arrange the Baby’s Foreign Passport
A newborn requires a valid passport or other recognised travel document before the ITAS application can be completed.
Foreign parents should contact their respective embassy or consulate to understand the nationality registration and passport issuance procedures.
Requirements and processing times vary between countries. Some embassies may require additional documents, including the hospital birth record, parents’ passports and evidence of their marital status.
Starting this process early can help prevent delays in the subsequent immigration application.
Step 4: Complete Lapor Lahir with Immigration
Before submitting the newborn’s ITAS application, the parent or guarantor must report the child’s birth to the relevant Immigration Office.
This procedure, commonly known as Lapor Lahir, records the birth in Indonesia’s immigration system.
Parents should not overlook this requirement. Birth reporting is a separate administrative step and should be completed before proceeding with the newborn ITAS application.
Step 5: Submit the Newborn ITAS Application
Once the required documents and immigration birth reporting have been completed, the parent or guarantor can proceed with the newborn’s ITAS application.
The application must include the baby’s passport or travel document, birth documentation and the relevant supporting documents concerning the parents’ immigration status.
Under the regulations referenced in this guide, Immigration must process the newborn ITAS within a maximum of three working days after receiving the immigration fee payment.
It is important to understand that this processing period begins after payment has been received, rather than from the date of the baby’s birth.
Step 6: Check the Baby’s Stay Permit Details
Once the ITAS has been issued, parents should verify the permit details carefully.
In particular, check the baby’s identity information, permit validity and relationship to the qualifying parent or sponsor.
This is especially important when the principal KITAS holder is approaching an extension, changing immigration status or preparing for international travel with the family.
3. What Documents Are Required for a Newborn KITAS?
The supporting documents for a newborn ITAS application establish the child’s identity, parentage and eligibility for the relevant stay permit.
Based on the immigration requirements outlined in this guide, the core documents include:
- Valid passport or travel document belonging to the baby.
- Hospital birth certificate or birth certificate issued by the competent authority.
- Valid passport of the father and/or mother.
- Valid ITAS of the qualifying parent.
- Proof of guarantee, where the parent has a guarantor.
- Other supporting documents requested by Immigration to establish the child’s status or purpose of stay.
Additional documentation may be required depending on the family’s circumstances and the applicable immigration route.
Parents should also ensure that the information across all documents is consistent. Differences in names, dates of birth, passport numbers or parental details may create complications during the application process.
This is particularly relevant when the baby’s birth documents are issued in Indonesia, while the passport is issued by a foreign embassy or consulate.
4. When Should Parents Apply for a Newborn KITAS?
Timing is one of the most important considerations when arranging immigration status for a newborn in Indonesia.
Under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023 (Permenkumham 22/2023), parents must submit the newborn ITAS application within 90 days of the child’s birth.
The child’s birth must also be reported to Immigration before the ITAS application is submitted.
Parents should not interpret the 90-day period as time available to postpone the entire process. Several administrative steps may need to be completed first, including:
- Obtaining hospital birth documentation.
- Completing the applicable civil registration.
- Registering the child’s nationality.
- Obtaining the baby’s foreign passport.
- Reporting the birth to Immigration.
- Preparing the supporting documents for the ITAS application.
These procedures involve different authorities, and processing times can vary. Beginning the process early gives parents more time to address administrative requirements before the deadline.
If the principal KITAS holder’s permit is also approaching expiry, both immigration matters should be assessed together.
5. What Happens If the Newborn KITAS Application Is Submitted Late?
Missing the 90-day deadline does not necessarily mean that the newborn can never receive an ITAS.
Under the provisions described in Permenkumham 22/2023, the Head of the Immigration Office may still grant an ITAS after the 90-day period following an examination of the parents.
However, late submission introduces an additional immigration compliance matter that may require further assessment.
It can also complicate practical arrangements, including:
- Family travel and international departure plans.
- Coordination with the principal KITAS holder’s extension.
- Subsequent immigration applications.
- Employer-managed expatriate mobility arrangements.
For this reason, parents should begin preparing the newborn’s documents as soon as they are available rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.
Where the 90-day period has already passed, it is advisable to seek an assessment from an immigration professional before proceeding.
6. How Does the Parent’s KITAS or KITAP Affect the Newborn’s Immigration Status?
A newborn’s immigration arrangements are closely connected to the legal status of the parents. However, the applicable route may differ depending on whether the parent holds ITAS, ITAP or Indonesian citizenship.
If the Parent Holds KITAS
A foreign parent holding a valid KITAS may be eligible to arrange a newborn ITAS through the specific procedure applicable to children born in Indonesia.
This route should be assessed against the parent’s current permit, sponsorship arrangements and the child’s supporting documents.
If the Parent Holds KITAP
Where a parent holds KITAP, the child’s eligibility for a dependent permanent stay permit may need to be assessed.
The appropriate route and supporting requirements should be confirmed based on the parent’s permit and the child’s circumstances.
If One Parent Is an Indonesian Citizen
Children born to a foreign national and an Indonesian citizen may fall under different nationality and immigration considerations.
E31C may apply to certain children from marriages involving an Indonesian citizen, subject to the relevant eligibility conditions.
Parents should establish the child’s nationality position before deciding which immigration procedure to follow. Birth in Indonesia alone does not determine the child’s citizenship.
7. How LMI Consultancy Can Assist with a Newborn KITAS Application
Arranging a newborn’s immigration status involves coordination between several authorities, including hospitals, civil registration offices, foreign embassies and Immigration.
For expatriate families, managing these procedures alongside the responsibilities of caring for a newborn can be challenging, particularly when the principal KITAS or KITAP holder also has an upcoming extension.
LMI Consultancy provides immigration consultation and assistance for foreign nationals and their families in Indonesia, including Dependent Visa and family-sponsored KITAS arrangements. Our immigration service also supports foreigner families in assessing their applicable stay-permit requirements.
The appropriate procedure depends on the family’s immigration circumstances. An initial assessment can help identify the relevant requirements and reduce avoidable delays.
Need to arrange a KITAS for your newborn in Indonesia?
Contact LMI Consultancy for an immigration consultation. Our team can help assess your family’s circumstances and coordinate the necessary immigration procedures.
