Regency officials issued 71 special identity cards to foreign nationals in 2025, a process mandated for permanent residency permit holders, but acknowledge coordination gaps in tracking eligible individuals.
BADUNG, Bali — The Civil Registry Office (Disdukcapil) of Badung Regency issued 71 Indonesian Identity Cards (KTP) to foreign nationals residing in the area throughout 2025, according to local authorities. The distinct orange cards, designed specifically for foreigners with permanent residency permits, were predominantly issued to residents in South Kuta.
“We issued 71 KTPs for foreign nationals in Badung Regency in 2025,” stated Putu Suryawati, Acting Head of Badung Disdukcapil, on Friday, January 23, 2026.
The distribution reflects the concentration of long-term foreign residents in Bali’s most visited districts: South Kuta (26 cards), North Kuta (24), Kuta (13), Mengwi (7), and Abiansemal (1). No cards were issued in Petang district.
Mandatory Reporting and Administrative Gaps
Officials emphasized that obtaining the special KTP is a mandatory administrative step for all foreign nationals holding a Permanent Stay Permit (KITAP). The ID card is crucial for accessing civil registration services and provides legal clarity during their residency.
“Ownership of a KITAP must be reported to the local Civil Registry Office. This is very important for us to know the number of foreigners residing in our area,” Suryawati explained.
However, she acknowledged a significant challenge: the office suspects many KITAP holders have not reported to claim their KTPs, and there is currently no synchronized data system between local civil registries and the national immigration authority that issues the permits.
“If we don’t know how many KITAPs Immigration has issued, we cannot effectively monitor and follow up,” Suryawati noted, adding that improved inter-agency coordination and integration into the national ‘Satu Data Indonesia’ (One Data Indonesia) program is needed.
Practical Implications for the Foreign Community
The absence of this local ID can create complications in critical situations. Authorities warned that without a KTP WNA, processing official documents—such as a death certificate—for a foreign resident becomes significantly more difficult.
“It would be quite difficult to issue a death certificate. Our appeal to all KITAP holders is to report immediately to obtain their civil registration rights,” Suryawati concluded.
The data provides a snapshot of the formal long-term foreign resident population in Bali’s core tourist region and highlights an ongoing administrative process that is essential for the legal residency of expatriates and foreign spouses in Indonesia.
Hey Bali News provides this information to help the international community understand and comply with important local residency regulations.
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