Foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens, who intend to engage in any form of employment in Indonesia must first obtain either a “business visa” or a “work visa” prior to entering the country. Among these, a “work visa” is mandatory for any job that involves actual hands-on duties. In addition to the visa, a permit allowing a certain period of residence in Indonesia is also required.

This article will first explain the various types of visas related to employment in Indonesia. It will then detail the requirements, procedures, necessary documents, and costs involved in obtaining a work visa. Furthermore, it will highlight changes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Types of Work Visas Available in Indonesia

Work Visas and Business Visas

There are several types of visas available for conducting business in Indonesia. Among them, the Single Entry Visit Visa (B2/C2, formerly B211A/B211B) and the Multiple Entry Visit Visa (D2, formerly D212) are categorized as “business visas,” and are distinct from the “work visas” (E23/E24, formerly C312).

Visa Types and Details

Visa Type	Visa Name	Purpose of Use	Validity Period	Extension
VOA	B2	・On-site inspection of offices, factories, or production sites; sales activities, meetings, and purchasing of goods ・Contract negotiations, discussions, signing ・Tourism-related activities and visiting friends or family	30 days	Extendable for 30 days
Single Entry Business Visa	C2	Same as above	60 days	Extendable
Multiple Entry Business Visa	D2	Same as above	1, 2, or 5 years Max 60 days per entry	Not extendable
Work Visa (Employment Visa)	E23/E24	Professional duties This visa is generally required for working in Indonesia	180 days (6 months), 1 year, or 2 years	Extendable

Reference: The Official e-Visa Website for Indonesia

The work visa categorized under Index E23/E24 is a type of limited stay visa known as VITAS (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas), intended for temporary residency in Indonesia. Accordingly, E23/E24 is also referred to as a “limited stay visa” or “VITAS,” though for consistency, this article will refer to it simply as a “work visa.” Notably, E24 applies to professionals in the IT sector, while E23 covers all other professional fields.

Entering Indonesia and engaging in employment without a valid work visa may result in penalties, including fines or deportation. In principle, activities that directly generate profit—such as operational tasks within a company or factory or supervising work on-site—cannot be conducted under a business visa.

Moreover, inspections by the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration Office are frequent, so travelers entering on a business visa must avoid any actions that could be construed as unauthorized employment.

About the C317 Visa for Spouses

In addition to the aforementioned visas, there is also the “C317 visa,” intended for individuals who are married to Indonesian nationals or accompanying family members of foreign nationals working in Indonesia.

This visa is valid for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years and requires supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, family registry, and a copy of the identification card of relatives residing in Indonesia.

However, according to a spokesperson from the Directorate General of Immigration, not everyone who claims to be a family member of an Indonesian national or a foreign resident in Indonesia is automatically eligible to apply for this visa. It is important to confirm whether one’s personal circumstances meet the eligibility criteria for the C317 visa.

Additional Requirements for Working in Indonesia Beyond the Work Visa

To work in Indonesia, foreign nationals must obtain not only the aforementioned work visa but also a Limited Stay Permit known as ITAS (Izin Tinggal Terbatas). The maximum validity period for ITAS is two years, and extensions must be processed at a local immigration office.

While the ITAS is valid, holders may leave and re-enter Indonesia without needing to reapply for a visa—allowing for temporary returns to their home country. In most cases, the company sponsoring the foreign worker will handle the ITAS application concurrently with the work visa application.

Note: Following a Presidential Decree in 2018, the previously required Foreign Worker Employment Permit (IMTA: Izin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing) is no longer necessary.

It is also worth noting that ITAS is sometimes referred to as KITAS, where the “K” stands for Kartu (meaning “card” in Indonesian). This terminology dates back to when the limited stay permit was issued in card format.

Currently, after an online application, the permit is issued in the form of a stamp in the passport rather than a physical card. Therefore, ITAS and KITAS are not separate permits, nor can applicants choose between a card or a stamp.

Reference: Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus TPI Soekarno-Hatta, “LIMITED STAY PERMIT (ITAS)”

Requirements for Obtaining a Work Visa in Indonesia

Foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens, must meet certain requirements to obtain a work visa for Indonesia.

As indicated in the section on types of work visas, the scope of jobs that foreign nationals can perform in Indonesia is significantly restricted. Moreover, in line with Indonesia’s policy of transferring skills to local workers, it is mandatory for foreign workers holding a work visa to be accompanied by an Indonesian assistant.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, individuals (assignees) applying for a work visa must generally meet the following criteria:

If these conditions are not met, the application may be rejected or a visa with the desired validity period may not be granted. However, the requirements are not strictly codified, and decisions may vary depending on individual circumstances. Thus, failing to meet every condition does not automatically result in disqualification.

• Possess academic qualifications appropriate for the intended position
• Have at least five years of relevant work experience or demonstrate equivalent competence for the position

Regarding educational background, a university degree (including vocational colleges or junior colleges) is considered a general guideline, though individual situations may be taken into account. Age-wise, it was previously suggested that applicants should be “generally under 60 years old,” but this is also considered a flexible benchmark.

Reference: Pelayanan Penggunaan TKA Online, “SYARAT PENGAJUAN DOKUMEN PERIZINAN PENGGUNAAN TENAGA KERJA ASING”

Steps to Apply for and Obtain a Work Visa in Indonesia

The process for obtaining a work visa in Indonesia involves the following steps:

1. Submit a Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) to the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
2. Participate in an interview with the Ministry of Manpower
3. Apply for the Foreign Worker Employment Authorization
4. Pay the Compensation Fund for the Employment of Foreign Workers (DKP-TKA) and obtain the Employment Authorization
5. Obtain the work visa (VITAS Index C312)
6. Obtain the Limited Stay Permit (ITAS)

With the exception of the final step—obtaining the ITAS—these procedures can now be completed online.
Let us now examine each step in detail.

1. Submission of the Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) to the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration

The Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) is a document submitted by a company to demonstrate its readiness to employ foreign nationals (such as assignees from Japan). It includes details such as the organizational chart, number of foreign employees, job descriptions, duration of assignment, salary, and workplace location. TKA stands for Tenaga Kerja Asing, which means “foreign worker” in Indonesian.

In this step, the employer registers with the TKA Online system, inputs the required information, uploads the necessary documents, and submits the application to the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration. If all documents are in order, approval (in the form of a Foreign Worker Notification) is typically granted within two business days.

Once the approval is received, the employer must upload the assignee’s personal data.

Reference: Directorate General of Immigration, “ONLINE VISA APPROVAL”

The Foreign Worker Notification also serves as a recommendation letter for both the work visa and ITAS. The information uploaded via TKA Online is forwarded to the Directorate General of Immigration, enabling the work visa application process to proceed with minimal additional procedures.

Note: The previously mandatory IMTA (Foreign Worker Employment Permit) is no longer required at this stage.

2. Interview with the Ministry of Manpower

After submitting the Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) via the TKA Online system, the employer is required to undergo an interview conducted by the Ministry of Manpower via Skype. It is important to note that the interview is not conducted with the foreign applicant, but rather with an Indonesian employee of the company.

During the interview, the Ministry typically verifies the following:

• The company’s specific business activities
• The necessity of employing a foreign worker
• The number of workers involved

Upon conclusion of the interview, the Ministry of Manpower issues an evaluation result.

3. Application for the Foreign Worker Employment Authorization

Once the evaluation result has been received, the employer (company) must submit the application for the Foreign Worker Employment Authorization to the Ministry of Manpower.

4. Payment of the Compensation Fund for the Employment of Foreign Workers (DKP-TKA) and Issuance of the Employment Authorization

After submitting the application for the Foreign Worker Employment Authorization, an invoice for the Compensation Fund for the Employment of Foreign Workers (DKP-TKA) will be issued. Upon receiving this invoice, the employer must make an advance payment of USD 100 per worker per month to a designated bank account for the Skills Development Fund.

The DKP-TKA must be paid using the billing code provided with the Foreign Worker Notification, and the payment must be completed within five business days from the date of issuance (unless the employer is a government institution or similar entity).

Once payment is confirmed, the Ministry of Manpower will issue the official Foreign Worker Employment Authorization.

5. Obtaining the Work Visa (VITAS Index E23/E24)

The process for applying for and obtaining a work visa is as follows:

1. The Directorate General of Immigration issues a payment instruction for the application fee to the employer
2. Once payment is confirmed, a background check on the foreign worker, including criminal records, is conducted
3. If no issues are found, the work visa is issued within four business days after the payment is made

Previously, it was necessary for the applicant to visit an overseas Indonesian mission in person to receive the visa. However, as of 2024, the entire process can now be completed online. The assignee may print the electronic visa (eVisa or visa elektronik) sent via email and present it upon entry into Indonesia.

Note that the applicant must enter Indonesia within 90 days of visa issuance. If entry does not occur within this period, the visa becomes invalid.

６. Obtaining the Limited Stay Permit (ITAS)

Following a Presidential Decree issued in 2018, the application for a work visa is considered to also serve as an application for the ITAS. Therefore, there is no need to apply for the work visa and ITAS separately. Once the work visa is issued, the foreign worker will receive the ITAS at the designated immigration counter upon arrival at the airport in Indonesia.

Where to Obtain the ITAS

In general, it is also possible to apply for and obtain the ITAS after entering Indonesia, provided the holder has a visa that matches the intended purpose of visit. However, as a COVID-era precaution, there may be cases where entry into Indonesia is not permitted unless the ITAS has already been obtained from an overseas mission (e.g., the Embassy of Indonesia in Japan). It is essential to confirm the most current information in advance.

Reference: JETRO, “Regulations on Foreign Employment and Residence Permits in Indonesia”

Alternative Methods for Obtaining a Work Visa

Aside from the standard procedures described above, there is also an alternative route: entering Indonesia with a Visa on Arrival (VOA), then exiting the country to apply for a work visa.

As the name implies, the Visa on Arrival is obtained at the airport upon arrival in Indonesia. It is typically used for purposes such as tourism, family visits, or business meetings. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days.

After entering Indonesia on a VOA, one may leave the country and apply for a work visa at an overseas Indonesian diplomatic mission. A common choice for this purpose is the Embassy of Indonesia in neighboring Singapore.

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Required Documents for Visa on Arrival (VOA) Application

• A passport with at least six months of remaining validity
• Round-trip airline tickets
• A fee of IDR 500,000 (approximately USD 32 as of exchange rate ¥1 = IDR 130) [Note: Please update based on the actual current rate]

Required Documents for Applying for and Obtaining a Work Visa

In most cases, the application for a work visa is handled by the employer (company) and an authorized visa agent. However, there are certain documents that must be prepared by the assignee themselves.

Note that the naming and recommended formats for application forms, letters of undertaking, and contracts may vary depending on the visa agency. Sample forms or templates may be provided, so please confirm the requirements with the respective agent.

Documents to Be Prepared by the Employer (Company)

• Identification document of the company representative or person in charge of recruitment
• Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP)
• Certificate of Domicile (Domisili Perusahaan, issued by the local authority)
• Business License (SIUP, issued by the relevant ministry)
• Company Registration Deed (AKTA Perusahaan)
• Articles of Association certified by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Pengesahan Kehakiman / Legalisir)
• Company organizational chart
• Company declaration form (Wajib lapor perusahaan)
• Company registration certificate (TDP, issued by the neighborhood unit RT/RW)
• Employment contract (Wajib lapor perusahaan)
• Application form
• Compensation Fund for the Employment of Foreign Workers (DKP-TKA)
• Visa issuance fee
• Letter of invitation in English
• Letter of recommendation in English (prepared by the Japanese company if applicable)

Documents to Be Prepared by the Assignee (Individual)

• Passport:
  • For stays up to 180 days: minimum validity of 12 months
  • For stays up to 1 year: minimum validity of 18 months
  • For stays up to 2 years: minimum validity of 30 months
• ID photograph (6 cm × 4 cm)
• Certified copy of diploma or academic transcript in English, either with apostille or official legalization; or other documents proving sufficient academic qualifications for the assigned position (Personal Data Form)
• Health insurance certificate (a translated version of national health insurance card is acceptable)
• English-language certificate of competency or curriculum vitae (CV), or documents proving more than five years of relevant work experience (e.g., employment certificates from former employers)
• Proof of financial resources to support oneself and/or accompanying family members during the stay in Indonesia, with a minimum of USD 2,000 or its equivalent (e.g., a copy of a bank passbook)

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C2 (Participation in business meetings and purchasing goods): $230
C19 (After-sales service) / C20(Installation and repair of machinery): $300
D2 (Participation in business meetings and purchasing goods (1-year validity)): $380
E23/E24/E25 (Work VISA): $1,500

Visa Application Procedures in Indonesia Are Frequently Subject to Change and Exceptions

In recent years, the procedures for obtaining a work visa in Indonesia have been significantly streamlined compared to the past. The digitization of the visa issuance process reflects not only responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the Indonesian government’s broader initiative to promote paperless public services.

However, there are still many ambiguities in the conditions for applying for a work visa. Responses may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the company or assignee, as well as the discretion of immigration officers.

Moreover, regulations in Indonesia are frequently subject to change. It is therefore strongly recommended to check for the latest updates regularly and allow sufficient time to prepare accordingly.