Living apart from loved ones is difficult. For mixed couples and expatriate families residing in Bali, the constant cycle of short-term visa runs to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur is expensive and emotionally draining. In 2026, the Indonesia Directorate General of Immigration streamlined regulations to keep families together. The Family Reunion Visa Indonesia (Index C317) offers a stable solution, allowing foreign spouses and children to reside in the archipelago for up to two years.
Navigating the C317 permit requires precision, as the unified eVisa system has tightened checks. This permit is specifically designed as a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS), bridging the gap between a casual visit and residency. It is the pathway for foreign nationals in a binding marriage to Indonesia citizens, or those joining a spouse holding a valid ITAS or ITAP. Unlike tourist visas, this Bali residency permit acknowledges the right of families to live together without looming expiration dates.
To secure this, applicants must navigate document verification and marriage sponsorship obligations via the official immigration portal. From proving solvency to registering a marriage with civil authorities, every step must align with Permenkumham 22/2023. This guide breaks down the requirements, ensuring your transition to life in Bali is managed with legal certainty.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Eligibility and Who Qualifies
- Essential Document Checklist in 2026
- The C317 Application Process Step-by-Step
- Costs, Validity, and Renewal Timelines
- Real Story: From Visa Runner to Resident
- Rights vs Restrictions: Work and Taxes
- From ITAS to ITAP: The Permanent Residency Path
- Common Pitfalls and Risk Management
- FAQ's about Family Reunion Permits
Understanding Eligibility and Who Qualifies
The C317 index is strictly categorized to prevent misuse, limiting eligibility to genuine family units living in Indonesia. The primary candidates are foreign nationals legally bound by marriage to an Indonesian citizen (WNI). This category is prioritized, supporting the unity of a citizen’s household in Bali or Jakarta. However, the marriage must be recognized by the state; religious ceremonies alone without civil registration (Catatan Sipil) are insufficient for C317 sponsorship.
The second category includes foreign spouses and children joining a primary sponsor who is a foreigner holding a valid ITAS (Limited Stay Permit) or ITAP. For example, if a software engineer holds a working ITAS in Bali, their spouse and children under 18 can apply for the Family Reunion Visa Indonesia to accompany them. Additionally, children of mixed marriage families holding foreign passports are eligible, ensuring they grow up with both parents in Indonesia.
Essential Document Checklist in 2026
Success in your C317 application hinges on dossier completeness before logging into the portal. The critical document is the passport, which must have a minimum validity of 18 months for a one-year stay, or 30 months for the two-year ITAS. Immigration authorities in Bali are uncompromising on this, often rejecting C317 applications falling short by days.
You must provide proof of funds, typically a bank statement showing USD 2,000 (or equivalent) to demonstrate you can support living costs in Indonesia. For relationship proof, a marriage certificate or Buku Nikah is mandatory. If the marriage occurred abroad, the certificate must be translated into Indonesian language or English by a sworn translator and reported to the Embassy (KBRI) or Civil Registry Office (Disdukcapil) upon arrival in Bali. Finally, a guarantee letter signed by your sponsor—your Indonesia spouse or the ITAS holder—formalizes their responsibility.
The C317 Application Process Step-by-Step
The workflow is digitized, shifting administrative burden to the sponsor. The process begins with your sponsor registering on the eVisa website. They select the “Penyatuan Keluarga” (Family Reunion) category and input applicant data exactly as it appears on the passport. This digital entry is the first filter; name or birth date mismatches can trigger system flags, delaying Bali relocation.
Once verification is complete, the sponsor receives a billing code (SIMPONI). The C317 fee must be paid promptly via a local bank. Upon approval, the eVisa is sent via email, allowing entry to Indonesia. However, the process continues. Within 30 days of arrival in Bali, you must report to the local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) for biometric data (fingerprints and photo) to convert the visa into a physical ITAS card.
Costs, Validity, and Renewal Timelines
Financial planning is key for relocation to Bali. Under 2026 regulations, the government fee (PNBP) for a one-year Family Reunion Visa Indonesia (ITAS) is IDR 1,500,000, while the two-year option is IDR 2,000,000. These fees cover ITAS issuance only, excluding agent fees. Notably, a C317 permit is cheaper than a work permit as it excludes the USD 1,200/year DPKK tax.
Holders of the C317 ITAS enjoy a Multiple Re-Entry Permit (MERP). This allows exiting and re-entering Indonesia freely during the ITAS validity, ideal for visiting family. Extensions should start 30 days before expiry. Since mid-2025, ITAS extensions require a mandatory in-person visit to the Bali immigration office for verification; you cannot renew online from abroad.
Real Story: From Visa Runner to Resident
Meet Elena, a 34-year-old freelance graphic designer from Greece, and her husband, Wayan, a local surf instructor. For the first two years of their marriage, they lived in Pererenan, Bali. Their life seemed idyllic, but Elena was anxious. She survived on social visas, flying to Singapore every 60 days to reset her stay in Indonesia.
“The humidity of Bali is heavy, but the weight of my passport stamps was heavier,” Elena recalls. “Every time I landed at Ngurah Rai Airport, I was terrified the officer would ask why a ‘tourist’ had visited for two years straight.” A flight cancellation nearly caused her to overstay, risking a ban that would separate her from Wayan and end their life in Bali.
They stopped the “visa runs” and applied for the C317 Family Reunion ITAS. The process provided stability but introduced tax complexity. Once Elena stayed in Indonesia for over 183 days legally on her ITAS, she became a domestic tax subject. Confused by reporting rules, she consulted a trusted tax management company to register for her NPWP (Tax ID). Today, Elena no longer fears the immigration desk. She lives in Pererenan as a documented ITAS resident, compliant with Indonesia immigration and tax laws.
Rights vs Restrictions: Work and Taxes
A common misconception is that the C317 visa grants work rights in Indonesia. It does not. The C317 ITAS is strictly for residence. A foreign spouse cannot take formal employment or receive a salary from an Indonesian company. To work legally in Bali, you generally need a Working ITAS or work permit (RPTKA), although specific exemptions exist for spouses of Indonesia citizens to run small informal businesses supporting the family marriage livelihood.
However, holding an ITAS triggers tax obligations. As seen in Elena’s story, staying in Bali for over 183 days classifies you as a tax resident. You must report global income to the Indonesia tax office. Ignoring this leads to audits and fines, jeopardizing future C317 renewals. Compliance is as important as the ITAS itself.
From ITAS to ITAP: The Permanent Residency Path
The goal for many mixed marriage families in Bali is the KITAP (Permanent Stay Permit), valid for five years and renewable. The C317 offers a direct pathway. Under current regulations, a foreign spouse of an Indonesian citizen can convert their ITAS to an ITAP after two consecutive years of marriage.
For other categories, such as dependents of ITAS or ITAP holders, the requirement is typically holding the ITAS for four years. The ITAP is the “gold standard” of residency in Indonesia, removing annual ITAS renewals and offering status near-equal to citizenship in civil rights. It signifies a permanent commitment to life in Bali.
Common Pitfalls and Risk Management
The path to residency in Indonesia has traps. The most severe is an unregistered marriage. If your marriage certificate is foreign and unreported to the Indonesia embassy or Disdukcapil in Bali, it holds no weight. This leads to immediate rejection of the C317 application.
Another risk is the passport validity trap. Many apply for a 2-year ITAS with a passport valid for only 24 months. Indonesia immigration requires a buffer (usually 6 months beyond expiry), so 30-month validity is necessary for the longer C317 permit. Finally, never assume work rights. Officers in Bali monitor foreigners; working on a spouse ITAS without authorization is a leading cause of deportation.
FAQ's about Family Reunion Permits
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Can I work in Bali with a Family Reunion ITAS?
Generally, no. This C317 visa is for residence. Foreign spouses of Indonesia citizens have limited rights to work in informal sectors, but formal employment requires a work permit.
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How long does the C317 application take?
Online approval takes 5 to 10 working days, followed by 3 to 5 days for biometric processing and ITAS card issuance after arriving in Indonesia.
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Can I travel overseas while holding this C317 visa?
Yes, the ITAS includes a Re-Entry Permit (MERP) allowing free exit and re-entry to Indonesia while valid.
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What happens to my ITAS if my marriage ends in divorce?
For spouses of Indonesian citizens, the ITAS usually becomes void. If the marriage lasted over 10 years, you may be eligible to maintain residency.
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Is the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy applicable to ITAS holders?
No, holders of a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) or Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP) in Bali are exempt from the levy.
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Do I need to pay a deposit for the C317 proof of funds?
No deposit to the Indonesian government is needed, but you must show a bank statement with a minimum USD 2,000 balance for the last 3 months.
