Indonesian Government Agencies you may have to deal with for documentation:
Indonesian Embassies, Consulate Generals and Consulates
These are the official Indonesian government offices outside of Indonesia where foreigners must go in order to apply for visas to Indonesia, as well as other matters relating to business and cultural relations with Indonesia. All of these offices have a “Consular Section” which handles consular issues. The embassy is located in the capital of each country. The Consulate Generals are in larger cities and serve a particular set of states/provinces. Consulates provide more limited services than Consulates General.
The offices in close proximity to Indonesia are in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Songkhla and Bangkok in Thailand. These offices provide the perfect destination for relatively inexpensive ‘visa runs’. Be careful to check that the Consulate is a Consulate General (like Penang and KL) or they may refuse to process the Visit Visa Application.
Note: Ambassador and Consul General names change frequently and the names listed below may be out of date. Always verify current personnel directly with the relevant office or via the Indonesian Foreign Ministry website at kemlu.go.id before making contact.
MALAYSIA
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia 233, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 504000, Malaysia Tel. (603) 21164000 Fax (603) 2141-7908, 2142-3878 Website: kemlu.go.id/kualalumpur
Indonesian Consulate General in Johor Bahru No.46, Jl. Taat, Off Jalan Tun Abdul Razak 80100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel. (601) 9790-2000 Fax (601) 9775-1572, (601) 9775-1573 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kemlu.go.id/johorbahru
Indonesian Consulate General in Penang 467, Jalan Burma, Pulau Pinang 10350, Malaysia (P.O.BOX 502) Tel. (604) 226-7412, 227-4686 Fax (604) 227-5887, 227-1370 Website: www.kemlu.go.id/penang
Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Lorong Kemajuan, Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 88817, Malaysia (P.O.BOX 11595) Tel. (60-88) 218-600, 218-258, 218-518, 219-110 Fax (60-88) 215-170 Website: www.kemlu.go.id/kotakinabalu
Indonesian Consulate General in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia Lantai 6, Bangunan Binamas No. 1, Jalan Pandungan 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia Tel. (60-82) 241734, 421734 Fax (60-82) 424370 Website: www.kemlu.go.id/kuching
Indonesian Consulate in Tawau City Jl. Sin On, Mile 2.5, Tawau Tel. +60 89 752969
SINGAPORE
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore 249761 Tel. (65) 6737-7422 Fax (65) 6737-5037, 6235-5783 Website: www.kemlu.go.id/singapore
THAILAND
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok 600-602 Petchburi Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Tel. (66-2) 252-3135 to 40 Fax (66-2) 255-1267 Website: www.kemlu.go.id/bangkok
Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Songkhla 19, Sadao Road, Amphur Muang, Songkhla 90000, Thailand Tel. (66-74) 311-544, 312-219, 441-867 Fax (66-74) 441-094 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kemlu.go.id/songkhla
See a full listing of Indonesian representative offices on the Menteri Luar Negeri (Indonesian Foreign Ministry) website at kemlu.go.id.
RT – Rukun Tetangga (pronounced err tay)
Every Indonesian knows who this is because they must report to him in the neighborhood where they live and also report any visitors staying longer than 24 hours. The RT is the “Neighborhood Chief” and as such is your first port of call for a lot of paperwork. You can obtain a confirmation letter from your RT to confirm that you live at your address, which you can then take to the Kelurahan before Kecamatan and other offices for other paperwork needs.
Kantor Kelurahan
The Kantor Kelurahan is your local registry office for giving notice of birth, marriage, death, change of KTP (for Indonesian nationals), and to obtain the Domicile letter which is required for your ITAS application. These government officials are paid a very minimal basic wage and rely on ‘donations’ to top it up. This is reflected by the lack of investment in their everyday operations — decades-old typewriters, foolscap paper and limited computers in sight in some offices.
The Kantor Lurah (which oversees a Kelurahan) is the smallest administrative division in Kotamadya or Kabupaten as defined in the decentralization law concerning regional government. They are headed by a Bapak Lurah who is chosen by the Regent (Bupati) or Mayor (Walikota) with the recommendation of the Bapak Camat (District Chief) who is/will be his direct supervisor. A Kantor Lurah oversees an area that is usually the size of a village. The Kantor Lurah has authority on community empowerment and services and is in charge of the implementation of peace and public order at the village/neighborhood level. They also are in charge of the maintenance of infrastructure and public services. You may have to deal with this office for procedures concerning birth certificates, SIM or SKTT, for example. Their exact function and privileges are defined by Regional Regulations (Peraturan Daerah) and vary a lot from one Kabupaten/Kota to another.
If you have any trouble with dealing with a Kantor Lurah, the first office you should head for is the Kantor Camat. It is worthwhile to pursue a just, fair and balanced relationship (do not refuse involvement/donations for your kelurahan) with the Kantor Lurah and any of its staff.
- Domicile letter for ITAS requirements
- Birth Certificates
- Drivers License – SIM
- Population Documents – SKTT
Kecamatan
This office is an organizational step up from the Kantor Kelurahan and may even be the same location in some locales. They provide additional processing for paperwork issued and signed by the Kantor Kelurahan. The Kecamatan is computerized and they issue the new KTP or Family Card for Indonesian citizens if there is a change of family circumstances (birth, death, marriage). If an Indonesian has changed their address but it is not on their KTP and they do it sometime afterwards — suddenly perhaps in response to an immigration requirement for you — beware, it can take a month to get the new KTP.
The Kantor Camat oversees a Kecamatan which is one of the administrative divisions or districts of a Kabupaten (Regency) or a Kotamadya (City). They are headed by a Bapak Camat who has several functions such as coordinating all the Kelurahan under his jurisdiction and handling, by delegation, the same duties at a higher scale, as a Bupati/Walikota. Many of the affairs of this office concern regional autonomy.
Their exact function is determined by Regional Regulations and may differ from one regency/city to another. It isn’t always true that the Camat handles KTP, for example. It would be best to check first at the Kelurahan level to ask which office is in charge of what. In Manado, for example, although the Kecamatan is involved in the process of KTP issuance, they do NOT actually issue the cards, which is the privilege of the Dinas Kependudukan dan Catatan Sipil.
The Bapak Camat is appointed by a Bupati/Walikota upon the recommendation of the Sekretaris Daerah (SekDa) who is his supervisor and who you should complain to if you have any trouble with your Kantor Camat (matters unsolved by Bapak Camat). The SekDa can be found in the Kantor Walikota (if you live in a city) or in the Kantor Bupati (if you live in a regency).
Other administrative offices are the Kabupaten (regency) or Kota (city) which are administrative divisions of a Province (Propinsi). The Kabupaten is headed by a Bupati, a Kota is headed by a Walikota (Mayor) and a Propinsi is headed by a Gubernur (Governor), helped by a Wakil Gubernur.
- KTP – Identity card for Indonesian citizens
- KK – Kartu Keluarga, Family Card for Indonesian Citizens and mixed couple households
Kantor Imigrasi
Important update (2024): Immigration in Indonesia was previously overseen by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan HAM / Depkumham). As of October 2024, under President Prabowo Subianto’s Merah Putih Cabinet, immigration functions have been separated into a dedicated ministry: the Kementerian Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan (Kemenimipas) — the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. All references to Depkumham in the context of immigration should now be understood as referring to Kemenimipas.
The Kantor Imigrasi (KanIm — immigration offices) are administrative units responsible for all immigration matters in Indonesia, as delegated by the Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi (DirJen Imigrasi). Immigration now falls under the authority of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas). KanIm are ranked depending on the importance of the area they supervise. There are four categories of KanIm:
- KanIm Kelas 1 Khusus (7 in Indonesia, including: Soekarno Hatta, Ngurah Rai, Surabaya, Medan, Jaksel, Jakbar and Batam)
- KanIm Kelas 1 (just over 30 KanIm are ranked as Kelas 1, including, among others: Manado, JakTim, JakPus, JakUt, Makassar, Tangerang, Bandung, Jogja, Surakarta, Denpasar, Semarang, Balikpapan, Surabaya Tanjung Perak, Pekanbaru, etc.)
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KanIm Kelas 2
- KanIm Kelas 3 (for remote areas)
KanIm are headed by a Kepala Kantor Imigrasi (Kakanim) and organized in sections (Seksi) for KanIm kelas 1, 2 & 3 or fields (Bidang) for KanIm kelas 1 khusus, which are under the supervision of a Kepala Seksi (KaSi) or a Kepala Bidang (KaBid). Typically the sections are:
- Seksi/Bidang Lalu Lintas Keimigrasian — responsible for paspor RI issuance and Izin Masuk/Izin Masuk Kembali
- Seksi Status Keimigrasian (Statuskim) or Bidang Pendaratan dan Izin Masuk — responsible for all status affecting foreigners (Izin Kunjungan, Izin Tinggal Terbatas/Tetap, etc.)
- Seksi/Bidang Informasi dan Sarana Komunikasi (Inforsakim) — responsible for collecting and inputting the data concerning your status and any changes affecting it
- Seksi/Bidang Pengawasan dan Penindakan Keimigrasian (Wasdakim) — the “immigration cops” — responsible for supervision and control of the foreign population. They deal with overstay, quarantine and deportation but also are in charge of any control of yourself or your sponsor.
There is a fifth section that foreigners never deal with, the Bagian Tata Usaha, who is responsible for accountancy, administration and matters that concern civil servants in the immigration office.
If you have any problems with an immigration officer at a locket in the office, ask to see his Kasi/Kabid. If you have any trouble with a Kasi/Kabid look for the Kakanim. If you are planning on doing your immigration work yourself (not through an agent) it is beneficial to have good relations or even just to meet and talk with the Kakanim; being seen talking to him can have a positive effect on your ability to work smoothly with his subordinates.
If you have any serious problems with your KanIm that the Kakanim cannot solve, is involved in, or does not want to receive your complaint, you can contact either the:
- Kepala Division Keimigrasian in the Kantor Wilayah
- Inspektorat Keimigrasian which is part of the Inspektorat Jenderal in Kemenimipas, Jakarta
Knowledge of this hierarchy (and a mention of it) often smoothes out bumps in procedures which are conducted in a manner not conforming to the law.
Digital services note: Indonesia has significantly expanded online immigration services. Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) and e-Visa applications are now processed through the official portal at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Many permit applications and extensions can now be initiated online before visiting an office. Always check the portal before attending in person.
Contacting Immigration Directorate General in Jakarta
Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi Email: [email protected] Hotline: 1500116 Website: www.imigrasi.go.id Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/DitjenImigrasi
Direktorat Izin Tinggal Keimigrasian Email: [email protected]
- Visa on Arrival – VOA extensions
- Exit / Re-Entry Permits – Izin Masuk/Izin Masuk Kembali
- Visas – Izin Kunjungan
- ITAS – Izin Tinggal Terbatas
- ITAP – Izin Tinggal Tetap
- Overstaying Your Visa, Quarantine and Deportation
Kantor Wilayah
Kantor Wilayah are an Instansi Vertikal of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas). They are the administrative division in charge of the control, centralization and supervision of the work of all administrative divisions of Kemenimipas at the provincial level.
Their activities by definition are very wide and include the coaching and socialization of law and human rights, including their protection, promotion, compliance, enforcement and respect thereof. Last but not least, they supervise all the KanIms in their area of authority (i.e., the province).
In each Kantor Wilayah, there is a Kepala Divisi Keimigrasian who is the real big boss for immigration matters at the provincial level. He is seconded by a Kepala Bidang Lalu Lintas, Izin Tinggal, dan Status Keimigrasian and a Kepala Bidang Intelijen, Penindakan & Sistem Informasi Keimigrasian.
If you have a major problem dealing with a Seksi/Bidang Lalu Lintas or a Seksi/Bidang Statuskim, explain it to the Kepala Bidang Lalu Lintas, Izin Tinggal, then Status Keimigrasian of the Kantor Wilayah. If you have a major problem involving the Inforsakim or the Wasdakim Seksi/Bidang, then contact the Kepala Bidang Intelijen, Penindakan & Sistem Informasi Keimigrasian of the Kantor Wilayah. Alternatively, write direct to the big boss! But do NOT contact any of them for petty problems that you can solve at the immigration office by writing to the relevant Kasi or Kakanim. Contacting the Kepala Divisi Keimigrasian of the KanWil because an official asked you for Rp 300,000 for a Visit Visa extension rather than the official rate of Rp 250,000 would be totally unnecessary. A simple letter stating the case to the Kasi or Kakanim would do the trick much better and faster.
- Third (and subsequent) Visit Visa extensions
Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi
Important update (2024–2026): The Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi now sits under the Kementerian Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan (Kemenimipas), not the former Depkumham. The current Director General of Immigration is Hendarsam Marantoko, inaugurated on 1 April 2026.
The Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi is located at Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-6, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan. It is headed by the Direktur Jenderal Imigrasi, who is assisted by various Direktur heading up individual Directorates. The current structure of DitJenIm comprises the following directorates:
Direktorat Visa dan Dokumen Perjalanan This office deals with passports and visas delivered by atase Imigrasi in KBRI/KJRI abroad and special entry permits. It is in charge of the preparation of technical guidance for travel documents, visas and entry permits, and oversees the planning for the Lalu Lintas section in the KanIm across Indonesia.
Direktorat Izin Tinggal dan Status Keimigrasian Deals with issues of residence permits and immigration status and prepares technical guidance concerning immigration status and conversion of immigration status. It supervises all work and provides guidance to the Seksi Statuskim in the KanIm across Indonesia.
Direktorat Intelijen Keimigrasian The intelligence directorate. The average expat or Indonesian resident shouldn’t be concerned by their field of activity.
Direktorat Penyidikan dan Penindakan Keimigrasian This office deals with investigation and prosecution of immigration offenses. It prepares the technical guidance for its field of operation and decides on any action taken against foreigners for offenses reported by the Wasdakim sections in the KanIm across Indonesia.
Direktorat Lintas Batas dan Kerja Sama Luar Negeri Keimigrasian This office deals with immigration cooperation between countries and international organizations, cross-border matters, and technical immigration tasks in KBRI abroad. This office has limited direct interaction with foreigners residing in Indonesia.
Direktorat Sistem Informasi Keimigrasian This office deals with immigration data management, including collection, processing and storage of data concerning both WNI (Indonesian nationals) and WNA (foreign nationals) inside and outside Indonesia. It is also responsible for the communication of internal and external information for the immigration office.
You don’t have to pay anything in the DitJenIm for any permit. Payment of any PNBP (Penerimaan Negara Bukan Pajak — the fees authorized to be charged by Imigrasi), concerning ITAS issuance, must be done in the KanIm, and a receipt (kwitansi) MUST be remitted on the spot.
Fee regulation update: All official immigration fees are now set by Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 45 Tahun 2024, which came into effect on 17 December 2024. This replaces the earlier PP Nomor 28 Tahun 2019 (note: there was also a PP Nomor 45 from 2014 — the governing regulation is now the 2024 version). The new regulation covers updated fees for temporary and permanent stay permits, visa applications, residency permit extensions, and passport issuance. Always verify current fees directly with your KanIm or via the official immigration website at www.imigrasi.go.id.
Police Offices
Article 4 of UU Nomor 2 Tahun 2002 tentang Kepolisian states that the Police of the Republic of Indonesia has the aim of ensuring national security, which includes maintaining security and public order, discipline and rule of law, as well as peace within the community by upholding human rights.
POLRI is headed by a Kapolri, who is appointed and dismissed by the President upon the approval of the DPR (Parliament).
The structure of the police organization — from the top to the smallest unit — is:
MABES POLRI — or Markas Besar POLRI is the main office of the Indonesian National Police, located in Jakarta.
Kantor POLDA or Kepolisian Daerah. This is the unit responsible for police at the provincial level. It is headed by a Kapolda who usually holds the rank of Jenderal and a Wakil Kapolda (Wakapolda). It oversees/supervises all other units such as POLTABES, POLRES, POLRESTA and their subdivisions. POLDA are organized by Direktorat (for example: lalu lintas, reskrim, intelkam, etc.) or Bidang (humas, Propam, etc.).
Kantor POLRES or POLRESTA or POLTABES. The name varies if they oversee police activities in a kota (often called POLTABES or POLRESTA) or a Kabupaten (usually called POLRES). They are usually headed by a Komisaris Besar Polisi (Kombes or KomBesPol — 3 golden flowers with 5 leaves), the highest rank in the perwira menengah (middle level field police officer).
Kantor POLSEK or Kepolisian Sektor. This is your friendly district police. They usually administer police affairs for a Kelurahan or a Kecamatan depending on the size of the population in the district. They are headed by a Kapolsek who is often an Inspektur Polisi Dua (one gold bar) or Inspektur Polisi Satu (two gold bars) in a small sektor, but they can be up to the rank of Komisaris Polisi (1 golden flower with 5 leaves) if the sektor is large. If you want to make a Surat Keterangan Kehilangan for a lost document, this is the office to deal with. Otherwise, for serious matters, head for a bigger unit.
Catatan Sipil
This is the Indonesian Civil Registry office, which deals with births, deaths, and marriages.
- Birth Certificates
Kantor Urusan Agama
This office operates independently of the Catatan Sipil. Muslim marriages can take place here and do not need to be registered with the Catatan Sipil. The KUA system is largely manual. They issue a Marriage Book to the husband and wife called Buku Nikah — it resembles a passport, not a marriage certificate. The fee for a foreigner to get married at a KUA office can vary significantly. The trick to keeping the price down is to ensure that your Indonesian wife (to-be) obtains a letter from her RT confirming low income status, as the KUA should then apply the lower fee.
If you are married in a Muslim ceremony overseas, you must report your marriage to this office for it to be legally recognized in Indonesia.
Divorce Registry
This office is organized in the same way that marriage registration is divided — between Catatan Sipil and Kantor Urusan Agama. Your city will have a Muslim and Civil Divorce Registry/Court.
Apart from Land Registry and Tax issues, these are the Indonesian Government authorities/offices with whom we, as foreigners, will most likely have dealings in Indonesia for the purposes of visas and documentation.
Our thanks to mrcibubur and Atlantis for the original submissions
