EPO and ERP: how to close a KITAS properly

A KITAS does not close itself — not when you leave for good, and not when it expires. While the permit sits active in the immigration database, you cannot apply for a new Indonesian visa, not even a visa on arrival. There are two procedures: EPO if you are still in Indonesia, ERP if you have already left. With us either one costs IDR 1,500,000.

Updated: 27 August 2026 · Reviewed by the Malina Visa team

Why you cannot simply abandon a KITAS

The logic of “it expires, so it goes away” does not hold. Your stay permit lives in the immigration database independently of where you physically are, and closing it is a human action, not a calendar event.

!An unclosed KITAS stays active in the system — even if you flew out a year ago
!While it is active you cannot get a new visa. That includes the eVOA many people count on as a fallback
!If the KITAS expires while you are abroad and nothing has been filed, an overstay record may appear against you
!Your sponsor stays formally attached to the permit, so the questions land on them too

This surfaces later and at the worst moment: when you decide to come back and apply for a new visa. Unwinding the history after the fact costs more time and money than closing the permit on time.

EPO: if you are still in Indonesia

EPO (Exit Permit Only) is the procedure for people still inside the country. Immigration cancels the KITAS and gives you a window to fly out.

✓You have 7 days to depart once it is issued — miss the window and overstay begins
✓Your passport is physically submitted to the immigration office, so you cannot travel while it is being processed
✓The KITAS is cancelled immediately — you cannot come back on it, any return needs a new visa
✓It applies to an expired KITAS too — a common misconception is that an expired permit needs no closure. It does

Do not book the flight first. Procedure first, ticket second. While your passport sits with immigration you physically cannot fly, and public holidays stretch the timeline easily. A ticket for the day after tomorrow is the most common source of panic in this process.

ERP: if you have already flown out

ERP (Exit Re-entry Permit) covers the case where you are already outside Indonesia with a KITAS left open. It is handled remotely: you stay abroad, your agent or sponsor files here.

✓You do not need to be present — everything is done in Indonesia under your authorisation
✓The KITAS is closed — the permit is cancelled exactly as it would be under EPO
✓You cannot return on it — despite the words “re-entry” in the name, this is a closure procedure, not a way back
✓You will need your ticket and exit stamp — proof that you actually left the country

About the name. The acronym is misleading: historically “exit re-entry permit” meant permission to leave and come back. In KITAS closure practice, however, ERP refers to the offshore cancellation procedure. Returning on a closed KITAS is not possible — if you plan to come back, what you need is a new visa, not an ERP.

Which one applies to you

You are in Indonesia

EPO. Close the permit and fly out within 7 days.

You have already left

ERP. We close it remotely, no need for you to be here.

You want to return

Neither helps with that — you need a new visa. The old permit still has to be closed.

Both procedures cost IDR 1,500,000 with us. The only difference is where you physically are when it is filed.

When closing the KITAS is mandatory

There are more situations than “leaving for good”. Closure is required whenever an old permit has to make room for a new one.

✓Leaving Indonesia permanently — even with six months still left on the KITAS
✓Switching KITAS type — for example from E33G to an investor KITAS after setting up a company. The new permit will not be issued while the old one is live
✓Changing employers — a work KITAS does not transfer between companies. The old one closes, the new one starts from scratch
✓Closing the company that sponsored you — PT liquidation and closing the attached KITAS go together

What to settle before closing

A KITAS drags a tail of things attached to it, and they are easier to close while the permit is still valid.

✓Bank account — it is tied to your permit. Once cancelled, access can be restricted with your money still inside. More on accounts
✓Tax — if you were a tax resident, a final filing and your NPWP status remain to be handled. Do not leave this to sort out from abroad
✓Family KITAS — your spouse’s and children’s permits are tied to yours and close with it
✓Rentals, vehicles, subscriptions — anything registered with your KITAS details and address

Frequently asked questions

Can I just fly out and leave the KITAS open?

You will most likely pass through departures — an active permit does not block you. The problem comes later: the KITAS stays live in the database, and you cannot apply for a new Indonesian visa until it is closed. You will end up filing the same procedure anyway, only remotely and under more stress.

My KITAS expired on its own. Do I still need to close it?

Yes. This is the most common misconception. Expiry is not closure: the record stays in the system and has to be cleared by procedure. Both EPO and ERP can be filed on an expired permit.

How long does it take?

Expect several working days, plus the departure window in the case of EPO. The exact timing depends on the immigration office and its workload, so we quote it after reviewing your case rather than upfront. Do not plan a tight departure: public holidays stretch the schedule.

Can I come back to Indonesia after EPO or ERP?

Yes, but on a new visa. A closed KITAS cannot be revived and gives no right of entry. Closing a permit properly does not harm your record — quite the opposite, a cleanly closed KITAS makes future applications easier. It is the abandoned one that looks bad.

How much does it cost?

IDR 1,500,000 per procedure, for both EPO and ERP. If you also need to close the sponsoring company or arrange a new status, we will quote the whole thing together.

Can I get an EPO at the airport before my flight?

No. An EPO is processed at the immigration office covering your registered address, in advance, with your passport physically submitted. There is no same-day or airport option.

We’ll close your KITAS properly

Tell us where you are right now — in Indonesia or already abroad — and we’ll name the procedure, the timeline and the documents. IDR 1,500,000.