Expats who want to work legally in Indonesia have to get the appropriate work authorization and stay permit before beginning any professional activity. In practice, Indonesia's system is employer-sponsored and closely regulated, and work permissions are generally issued for specialist roles that are tied to a specific employer. This article gives you an idea about the main types of work visas and permits in Indonesia, eligibility criteria, key conditions and formalities, typical costs, and what you can expect regarding social security contributions after you have worked in the country.
Types of work visas in Indonesia
There are a few different types of visas and permits that you can get in order to work in Indonesia legally. These are:
Work KITAS (Employment KITAS / ITAS)
This is the standard, fully legal work visa where you'll be sponsored by an Indonesian company. To obtain the work KITAS:
- You must have a job secured before your arrival.
- Your employers must be approved to hire foreigners.
- You'll require government approval via RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan) and the Ministry of Manpower notification.
A work KITAS is typically valid for 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years and can be renewed. You can only work in your approved role, and only for the sponsoring company. We will look into the details of this below.
Investor KITAS
For foreigners who own or invest in an Indonesian company (PT PMA), you won't need a separate work permit. The investor KITAS allows you to manage your own business and is usually issued for 1–2 years. It requires a minimum investment/shareholding and is very common for founders and long-term entrepreneurs. If you want to learn more about starting a business in Indonesia, read our dedicated article.
Remote worker visa (E33G / Remote worker KITAS)
If you're a digital nomad or remote employee, then you might want to look at the remote worker visa (E33G / remote worker KIT,AS) which falls under the KITAS framework. It's the closest thing Indonesia offers to a “digital nomad visa”. With this visa, you can work for non-Indonesian companies only. No Indonesian-sourced income allowed, which means no local employment. If you want to learn more about working as a digital nomad in Indonesia, read our dedicated article.
Process of getting a work KITAS in Indonesia
Indonesia doesn't usually issue a standalone “work visa” that functions independently of a stay permit. Instead, working legally involves a combination of employer approvals and immigration-issued permits. So, in most standard employment cases, foreign employees will go through this process of holding:
- A Limited Stay Visa (VITAS) issued before entry (employment purpose).
- A Limited Stay Permit (ITAS / KITAS) issued after arrival.
- The relevant employer approvals to hire a foreign worker.
It's worth noting that work authorization in Indonesia is typically role-specific and employer-specific. This means:
- Your permission is tied to one employer.
- It applies to a particular role and scope of work.
- Changing employers or job functions usually requires a new application.
Short-term assignments (for example, time-limited technical support or training) can be possible under specific visa categories, but these may be quite restrictive. Employers should always confirm the correct route before you travel.
Eligibility for a work KITAS in Indonesia
To be eligible to work in Indonesia, foreign nationals generally need:
- Sponsorship from a legally established Indonesian company.
- Qualifications and/or experience that match the position.
- A role that is permitted for foreign employment in the relevant sector.
Basically, authorities expect foreign workers to fill specialist positions. Entry-level or general roles are far less likely to be approved, particularly when local hiring is available.
Eligibility is also assessed at the employer level. This means that your employer may need to demonstrate that:
- The role requires specific expertise (that only you can do!).
- The hire supports operational needs.
- The position complies with sector rules and permitted job titles.
Important:
Eligibility and requirements can vary by sector, and as is typically the case with Indonesia, conditions tend to change over time. Both your potential employer and you, the applicant, should always verify the current requirements at the time of application.
Documents required for an Indonesian work KITAS
Getting a work KITAS (visa along with a limited stay permit with work authorization) is a two-party thing. You need to provide both your documents and documents from the sponsoring Indonesian company:
Documents from the applicant:
- Valid passport (usually at least 18 months' validity).
- Passport photos (usually 4×6 cm with red background).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) and employment contract with the sponsor company.
- Educational certificates/diploma (often legalized).
- Work experience documents (often a minimum of 5 years).
- Proof of health insurance valid in Indonesia.
- Bank statement showing financial means (amounts vary).
- Sometimes other documents, like reference letters and contact info details, are required.
Documents from the employer/sponsoring company
The Indonesian company must provide a range of legal corporate documents, such as:
- Company Deed of Establishment and Decree from the Ministry of Law.
- Business registration (NIB) and tax number (NPWP).
- Company domicile letter and labor reports (Wajib Lapor).
- Organizational structure, company letterhead, and stamp.
- Local employee IDs are required for ratio reporting.
- Sponsor letters and approvals, such as RPTKA (Manpower Placement Plan) and IMTA / work permit notification.
Application process and formalities
In most cases, the employer manages the process. While the exact steps may vary, the sequence generally follows a similar pattern. The employer first secures the necessary approvals to hire a foreign worker. You then apply for and obtain the appropriate VITAS, which allows you to enter Indonesia. Once in the country, this visa is converted into an ITAS or KITAS. After arrival, additional administrative steps are required, including local registration and enrollment in the social security system.
Processing times can vary widely depending on the employer's readiness, the nature of the position, and how well your documents are prepared. Even when the process is handled by experienced professionals, delays are common, so it is best to begin as early as possible. Before starting work, it is essential to confirm that the visa type matches the activities you will perform, that all employer and job details are accurate, and that extensions and renewals are planned well in advance of the expiry date.
The cost of getting an Indonesian work KITAS
The total cost of getting an Indonesian work KITAS depends on the length of your stay and the role you're in. In general, it consists of mandatory government fees plus any optional agent or service fees. One of the highest costs is the work permit levy (DPKK), which is charged at USD 100 per month and paid upfront to the Ministry of Manpower. On top of this, there are additional fees for manpower approvals (such as the RPTKA and work authorization notification) and for immigration processing.
As a rough guide, government fees alone will probably total around IDR 22–25 million for a 6-month KITAS, IDR 30–35 million for a 12-month KITAS, and IDR 50 million or more for a 24-month KITAS. Obviously, these figures can change depending on the regulations in place at the time of application and whether additional approvals are required for the position or sector.
Many employers or applicants choose to use a visa agent, which will add service fees on top of the government charges, but definitely makes the whole process a bit smoother (at least in theory). Agent fees differ a lot, but can usually add a few million Indonesian rupiah to the total cost. Because fees and requirements change frequently, it's best to confirm the latest costs with an Indonesian immigration authority or a licensed visa agent before you begin applying.
Conditions and restrictions for foreign workers in Indonesia
Work authorization in Indonesia typically comes with some clear limitations:
- It is linked to the sponsoring employer.
- It applies only to the approved role and activities.
- Secondary work or freelance activities are generally not permitted under standard employment arrangements.
- Working outside the correct authorization can lead to fines, deportation and re-entry restrictions.
In some cases, employers may also be required to support skills transfer or training for local staff as part of the approval framework, depending on the role and sector.
Social security contributions and refunds in Indonesia
Foreign employees working in Indonesia may also be required to participate in national social security programs, including:
- BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (employment-related coverage/benefits).
- BPJS Kesehatan (healthcare coverage).
Contributions are typically shared between you and your employer, depending on the arrangement.
It's worth noting that if you leave Indonesia permanently after working in the country, some employment-related benefits (for example, old-age savings components) may be withdrawable depending on your contribution history and status. The steps and eligibility requirements can vary, so it is recommended that you:
- Keep records of your BPJS registrations and payments.
- Check withdrawal procedures before your departure.
- Ask your employer or the BPJS office about your specific case.
Good to know:
Health coverage contributions are usually treated as coverage rather than a refundable balance, so refunds are not typically handled in the same way as savings-type benefits.
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
