Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It presents opportunities across local and multinational companies and a range of industries. The country’s natural wonders and diverse culture are additional attractions for foreign nationals considering work opportunities there.
If you are planning to start a career in Indonesia, you should be familiar with the country’s immigration and foreign-worker regulations. This article explains the main steps for a sponsored Indonesian work visa, the related limited stay permit, and the documents commonly required.
Steps to Apply for an Indonesian Work Visa
Indonesia’s work-visa process involves both employment and immigration requirements. Start early and coordinate closely with your employer or sponsor. The exact timeline depends on your circumstances, so do not rely on a fixed processing period.
For standard sponsored employment, Indonesian Immigration currently lists the E23 work visa. The related limited stay permit is called an ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas). The permit is issued electronically, and a physical card is also available at an immigration office.
- Pengesahan RPTKA is the Ministry of Manpower’s approval of the employer’s foreign-worker utilization plan. It is generally required for employers hiring foreign workers, subject to specific exemptions.
- VITAS is a limited stay visa used to enter Indonesia for an eligible limited-stay purpose, including sponsored employment under the appropriate visa category.
- ITAS is the limited stay permit issued for the approved activity.
- KITAS commonly refers to the physical ITAS card. Indonesian Immigration states that the electronic limited stay permit is used and that a physical card is also available at an immigration office.
Because requirements can vary by role and visa category, your employer or sponsor should confirm the correct route on Indonesia’s official eVisa platform and with the Ministry of Manpower’s TKA Online system.
Provided that you already have an employer in Indonesia, you can proceed with the following steps:
Step 1. Your Employer Applies for an Expatriate Placement Plan
Your employer will generally need approval of a Foreign Worker Utilization Plan, known as Pengesahan RPTKA. The correct Indonesian term is Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing. The application is submitted online to the Ministry of Manpower or the designated official and includes information about the employer, the reason for using a foreign worker, the role, the work period, and the work location.
Indonesian regulations prioritize the use of Indonesian workers. A foreign worker may fill a role that cannot be occupied by an Indonesian worker, taking the domestic labor market into account.
Step 2. Obtain an Indonesian Work Permit
The older IMTA terminology is outdated. Under the current framework, Pengesahan RPTKA is the main employer-side manpower approval used as a recommendation for the worker’s visa and stay permit. Your employer submits the required worker data and supporting documents through the labor-authority process.
Do not rely on a single fixed processing time for the complete work-visa process. The regulations contain timelines for certain parts of the Pengesahan RPTKA process, but the total time can vary depending on the application and the agencies involved.
Step 3. Apply for a VITAS
After the applicable employment requirements are addressed, your sponsor should arrange the correct work-visa application through Indonesia’s official eVisa platform. For standard sponsored employment, Indonesian Immigration currently lists the E23 work visa. Other work categories may use different visa indexes.
The current E23 visa page lists a passport valid for at least six months, proof of living expenses of at least US$2,000 or the equivalent, a recent color photograph, a curriculum vitae, a travel itinerary, and a statement of commitment that must be fulfilled within 90 days after arrival, such as a Notification from the Ministry of Manpower.
Step 4. Travel to Indonesia
Once your visa is approved, you can arrange your travel to Indonesia. Check the visa carefully before traveling. Indonesian Immigration states that the E23 visa must be used within 90 days of issuance and that the visa-validity period is different from the permitted period of stay.
Step 5. Apply for Your KITAS
Your ITAS is an electronic limited stay permit. Indonesian Immigration also states that a physical limited stay permit card is available at an immigration office. Ask your sponsor whether you need the physical card for local administrative purposes.
You should also check the registration requirements of the local Population and Civil Registration Agency (Disdukcapil). For example, local authorities issue an SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal) for foreign residents with an ITAS. Do not assume that a Police Report Letter (STM) is required for every foreign worker: the current police regulation addresses police certificates for foreigners conducting journalistic and research activities in certain locations.
Documents Needed for an Indonesian Work Visa
Indonesia has several limited-stay visa categories. These include sponsored work visas, foreign-investment visas, family-reunification visas, and retirement visas. The correct visa category depends on the purpose of your stay.
For standard sponsored employment, the E23 work visa is the relevant current category. Indonesian Immigration states that the initial ITAS period for E23 may be 180 days, one year, or two years. Extensions may be granted for a period no longer than the initial ITAS period, with the overall ITAS period limited to six years.
The official E23 page currently lists the following visa-document requirements:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity
- Proof of living expenses of at least US$2,000 or the equivalent
- A recent color photograph
- A curriculum vitae
- A travel itinerary
- A statement of commitment that must be fulfilled within 90 days after arrival, such as a Notification from the Ministry of Manpower or a statement from a government agency if the foreign national is guaranteed by that agency
Your employer may need additional documents for the Pengesahan RPTKA process, including documents related to your education, competence or work experience, employment agreement, work location, and sponsorship. Use the official portals and follow your sponsor’s instructions for your specific visa category.
We hope that this article on how to get an Indonesian work visa was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!
