Differences Between KKI and Visa-MasterCard Credit Cards, Bank Indonesia Explains

Bank Indonesia, together with the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), launched the Kartu Kredit Indonesia (KKI) as an innovation in the domestic payment system industry on 17 August 2026. The Kartu Kredit Indonesia is an alternative payment instrument with a deferred payment facility that is processed domestically to support the expansion of an inclusive national digital economy and financial ecosystem. The Kartu Kredit Indonesia is used as a source of transaction funds, with payment made using QRIS, either by scan or tap.

So far, Bank Indonesia has appointed eight Payment Service Providers (PJP) to issue the Kartu Kredit Indonesia, namely BCA, Mandiri, BNI, BRI, CIMB Niaga, Permata, and Bank Mega, as well as BSI, which is developing sharia-compliant financing. Going forward, the Kartu Kredit Indonesia will continue to be developed, both in terms of features and services.

“The public can apply for a KKI by registering with a KKI-issuing PJP. The application, verification, approval, and activation process for the KKI follows the procedures and policies of each issuing PJP,” Bank Indonesia said in its explanation.

What, then, is the difference between the Kartu Kredit Indonesia, or KKI, and credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard? The main difference lies in the transaction processing scheme. The KKI is processed domestically through the National Payment System Infrastructure. Meanwhile, credit cards from international principals use processing schemes from international principals.

Bank Indonesia explained that the KKI coexists with credit cards from international principals. The public still has a choice of payment instruments according to their needs. According to Bank Indonesia, the KKI is available in the form of a digital card and a physical card. In the initial stage, the KKI is available as a digital card and can be used as a source of funds for transactions through the QRIS ecosystem, namely QRIS MPM, QRIS CPM, and QRIS TAP. Going forward, the KKI will be developed gradually to facilitate online transactions through Online Payment, as well as offline transactions using a physical card.

Provisions regarding the use of the KKI will refer to the channel used. The KKI QRIS feature will refer to existing QRIS provisions, including a transaction limit of Rp10 million per transaction with an MDR of 0% to 0.7%. Transactions and settlement refer to existing mechanisms.

Bank Indonesia revealed that in the initial stage, the KKI can be used for all types of public spending at merchants that accept QRIS payments, both domestically throughout Indonesia and abroad through the QRIS Cross Border scheme in partner countries.