"KITAS" (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is a limited stay permit issued to foreign citizens in Indonesia. KITAS can be for work, investment, retirement, education, research, religious purposes, or repatriation. Based on this, it is correct to say "work KITAS," but it is incorrect to say "KITAS is a work visa."
The actual name of the permit is "ITAS" (Izin Tinggal Terbatas), which translates to Limited Stay Permit. KITAS, on the other hand, is the printed document indicating the presence of ITAS, a card certifying the presence of ITAS. The owner of such a work visa receives an electronic document of their ITAS, which they can print themselves on an A4 sheet.
ITAS may be issued for various reasons:
- For foreign investors (owners of a PMA company).
- For foreign professionals or experts - most expatriates have this type of ITAS. They should possess skills that are not readily available among Indonesians, which is why they are referred to as "tenaga ahli/experts."
- For foreign researchers who come for research purposes (usually with the agreement of an Indonesian university).
- For dependents of foreign spouses/children (up to 18 years old) sponsored by the ITAS holder or an Indonesian citizen.
- For religious ministers (foreign priests/imams, etc.).
- For foreign citizens on retirement.
- For former Indonesian citizens returning to Indonesia as repatriates to regain their citizenship.
Applications for ITAS are made online, but the passport needs to be presented for stamping. ITAS can be printed by the applicant on a regular printer.
KITAS is a restricted form of residence in Indonesia or a temporary residence permit valid from six months to one year. It requires Indonesian sponsorship. KITAS allows its holder to live in Indonesia for up to five years with extensions every twelve months.
A work KITAS is sponsored by an Indonesian company or organization registered in Indonesia. This can be an Indonesian company, a foreign company, a representative office, a government or private institution.
Before obtaining a work KITAS, one must obtain a work permit/IMTA (Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing, permission to employ foreign workers). One needs to confirm their position and place of work in the sponsoring company in Indonesia. The position determines the allowed duration of the KITAS.
Sponsorship is required before any work visa or work permit is processed. Sponsoring companies are legally responsible for visa applicants, meaning they pay fees and fines if the respective applicants are unable to do so.
For visa applications and extensions in Indonesia, it is recommended to use Legal Indonesia. This is an official company that handles visas, and they can be trusted. Legal Indonesia provides an optimal solution in terms of price and speed.
"KITAS" (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is a limited stay permit issued to foreign citizens in Indonesia. KITAS can be for work, investment, retirement, education, research, religious purposes, or repatriation. Based on this, it is correct to say "work KITAS," but it is incorrect to say "KITAS is a work visa."
The actual name of the permit is "ITAS" (Izin Tinggal Terbatas), which translates to Limited Stay Permit. KITAS, on the other hand, is the printed document indicating the presence of ITAS, a card certifying the presence of ITAS. The owner of such a work visa receives an electronic document of their ITAS, which they can print themselves on an A4 sheet.
ITAS may be issued for various reasons:
- For foreign investors (owners of a PMA company).
- For foreign professionals or experts - most expatriates have this type of ITAS. They should possess skills that are not readily available among Indonesians, which is why they are referred to as "tenaga ahli/experts."
- For foreign researchers who come for research purposes (usually with the agreement of an Indonesian university).
- For dependents of foreign spouses/children (up to 18 years old) sponsored by the ITAS holder or an Indonesian citizen.
- For religious ministers (foreign priests/imams, etc.).
- For foreign citizens on retirement.
- For former Indonesian citizens returning to Indonesia as repatriates to regain their citizenship.
Applications for ITAS are made online, but the passport needs to be presented for stamping. ITAS can be printed by the applicant on a regular printer.
KITAS is a restricted form of residence in Indonesia or a temporary residence permit valid from six months to one year. It requires Indonesian sponsorship. KITAS allows its holder to live in Indonesia for up to five years with extensions every twelve months.
A work KITAS is sponsored by an Indonesian company or organization registered in Indonesia. This can be an Indonesian company, a foreign company, a representative office, a government or private institution.
Before obtaining a work KITAS, one must obtain a work permit/IMTA (Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing, permission to employ foreign workers). One needs to confirm their position and place of work in the sponsoring company in Indonesia. The position determines the allowed duration of the KITAS.
Sponsorship is required before any work visa or work permit is processed. Sponsoring companies are legally responsible for visa applicants, meaning they pay fees and fines if the respective applicants are unable to do so.
For visa applications and extensions in Indonesia, it is recommended to use Legal Indonesia. This is an official company that handles visas, and they can be trusted. Legal Indonesia provides an optimal solution in terms of price and speed.
Steps to Obtain a Work KITAS
Step 1: RPTK (Foreign Manpower Employment Plan)
A plan for the placement of expatriate workers (RPTKA) must be submitted to the Ministry of Manpower. RPTKA stands for "Rencana Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Asing," which translates to the plan for the placement of foreign workers.
Processing an RPTKA typically takes 7-10 working days or 4 working days after an approved "Skype Expose." A "Skype Expose Meeting" is held between a representative of the hiring company and a representative of the Ministry of Manpower.
The Indonesian government takes into account the foreign expertise required for the country's development and determines who may be granted work permits.
National, multinational, or joint-venture companies must submit a foreign labor plan to the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (Kemenakertrans) (Article 42 of Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower). This document outlines their annual needs for foreign labor.
Typical documents required to obtain an RPTKA for expatriate positions include:
- A detailed letter explaining the reasons for hiring an expatriate and the specific positions they will hold.
- RPTKA application form.
- Deed of Establishment for the company, Ministry's approval, and amendment.
- The company's paid-up capital must be at least IDR 1,000,000,000.
- Standard company documents: Business License (Izin Usaha), Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP), Company Registration (TDP), and Trading Business License (SIUP) or Permanent Business License (IUT) for PT PMAs.
- Organizational structure of the company.
- A recommendation letter from the relevant ministry (e.g., education, transportation, oil and gas, mining industry). This is not required for trading or consulting companies.
- Training and professional development plan for Indonesian counterparts.
- Wajib Lapor Ketenagakerjaan (WLK), an annual report indicating the number of expatriates and local employees.
The Department of Manpower's office on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Jakarta receives all online applications, such as the RPTK and IMTA (Work Permit) applications or amendments to RPTK and work permits for review and processing.
The company applying will receive an online queue number (barcode) after submitting an online application on the tka-online website. Each application should use the company's username, and the date of submission of the physical application to the department will be determined by the authority.
For foreign investment companies with only the "Principal Permit" and without a Permanent Business License (IUT) for positions other than directors or commissioners, the authorization period is less than 6 months (according to Permenakertrans No. 12, 2013, Article 12).
Company sponsorship is required for an expatriate to be issued a work permit/visa. This sponsorship is required BEFORE a visa and work permit are processed. Foreigners wishing to work in Indonesia cannot obtain a work permit without first securing employment.
If a company wants to hire a foreigner, they must submit an RPTKA to the Department of Manpower if the employer company is a domestic company or to BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board) if the company is a foreign investment company.
For positions in RPTKA that are meant for expatriates, permits are issued for three years for companies with foreign investments (e.g., directors occupied by foreigners) and can be extended directly before the expiration of their term. Note that positions of directors occupied by foreigners apply only to foreign investment (PMA) companies.
Other positions in RPTKA are typically issued for one year and can be renewed annually, usually up to a fixed number of years.
Small Indonesian companies registered as CVs are not permitted to hire expatriates. So-called "medium-sized companies" can only hire two expatriates.
In large companies, there are no limits on the number of expatriates hired, as long as the "1 expatriate: 1 local expert as a partner" ratio is maintained.
Step 2: Notification/Confirmation Letter of Work Permit Duration
After submitting the RPTKA to the Ministry of Manpower, the potential foreign employee must apply for a confirmation letter of the work permit duration (along with a payment code request).
The confirmation letter will be issued by the Ministry of Manpower within 3-7 working days from the date of the confirmation request submission to the Ministry of Manpower.
Step 3: Payment of the Skill and Expertise Development Fund Tax (DPKK, Dana Pengembangan Keahlian dan Ketrampilan)
After the issuance of the confirmation letter by the Ministry of Manpower, the DPKK tax must be paid within 3 days in accordance with the confirmation letter.
Companies hiring foreigners are required to pay $100 USD per month ($1,200 USD per year) for each expatriate employee to compensate for the expenses related to the training of Indonesian citizens.
This tax is administered through the Ministry of Manpower. Before obtaining the work permit, it is necessary to confirm the payment of the Skill and Expertise Development Fund tax at BNI bank for one year in advance, in the amount of $1,200 USD (this amount is non-refundable).
For positions other than directorial roles, the foreigner's expertise must be proven. Government regulations limit the employment of foreigners in Indonesia as "experts" to contribute to national development. Due to the high unemployment rate among Indonesian citizens, it is necessary to demonstrate that the foreigner's expertise cannot be provided by an Indonesian citizen.
Staffing plans are only approved for one year. When a company's staffing plan is approved, the Ministry of Manpower approves a specific number of positions for foreigners. If a company wants to add another foreigner to its workforce, it must apply to the Ministry of Manpower, revise its staffing plan, and wait for approval, which can take several months.
Step 4: Uploading DPKK Payment Confirmation and Online IMTA Issuance
IMTA (Izin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing) - Work Permit for Foreign Workers.
After the RPTKA has been granted, the company hiring the expatriate must submit an application for a work permit known as IMTA.
IMTA is the only legal permit that allows a company to employ a foreigner. If expatriates working in Indonesia do not have an IMTA, they are not working legally in Indonesia.
To obtain a work permit, the employing company must submit the following documents:
- Proof of education relevant to the position the foreigner will hold
- Competency certificate or proof of at least five years of work experience in the relevant position
- Statement from the expatriate agreeing to transfer knowledge to an Indonesian colleague
- Copy of the employment contract for the Indonesian colleague
- Taxpayer identification number (Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak, NPWP) if the expatriate will work for more than six months
- Insurance policy issued by an insurance company registered in Indonesia
- Social security policy when working in Indonesia for more than six months
- Receipt of DKP-TKA payment ($1,200 USD per year)
- Approval of the RPTKA
- Copy of the expatriate's passport indicating they are between 25 and 55 years old (for the oil and gas industry) or 60 years old (for teachers)
- Two color photographs sized 4x6 cm
- Recommendation letter from the relevant technical ministry (if applicable)
Directors and commissioners do not need to fulfill the first four requirements listed above.
Deportation of foreigners for misuse of work permits is not uncommon.
A common offense is when a person works in a position different from the one specified in their work permit. If your work permit states that you are a Production Director, but your business card states that you are a Managing Director, this is grounds for deportation due to misuse of the work permit.
Another issue arises when the declared workplace address on the IMTA differs from the actual workplace location. If they do not match, it can lead to the cancellation of the IMTA and put the employee at risk of deportation. Be cautious about what you put on your business card and ensure that your job title aligns with your work permit.
One common misconception is that the IMTA belongs to the foreign employee; it is actually issued to the company, not the foreign worker. If a foreign worker loses their job, they are not allowed to work for another company without obtaining a new IMTA, even if the previous IMTA is still valid.
The work permit issued to a foreigner does not grant their spouse the right to work. A "dependent spouse" must obtain their own sponsor and IMTA to work in Indonesia.
Step 5: Electronic Visa - eVisa
Since October 2020, the Indonesian government has provided visa applicants with the option to go through an online visa application process for all visas (except for VOA and the multiple-entry business visa 212). You can submit your application at visa-online.imigrasi.go.id.
There is a daily quota for visa applications, so if the quota is reached, you will need to apply the next day.
Previously, the immigration office issued a "telex approval" for your visa, and you had to visit an Indonesian embassy to get a sticker in your passport reflecting the approval.
With the changes in procedures due to COVID-19, the Directorate General of Immigration now issues an "electronic visa" instead. The eVisa is sent by email to the applicant or their sponsor. Once the visa is issued, you can travel to Indonesia, provided there is no current ban on the entry of foreigners into the country.
The approximate processing time for online visa applications is 5-7 days.
VITAS - Visa for Limited Stay Permit (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas). This eVisa allows entry into Indonesia. It is issued before an ITAS (or KITAS) and is stamped in the foreigner's passport by the immigration service upon arrival.
Within 30 days of arrival, you must request the conversion of VITAS to an actual temporary stay permit (ITAS or KITAS) through an online application for a stay permit.
Dependent family members (spouse/children) must wait for the issuance of a visa with index 312 for the working spouse before the company can apply for family accompanying visas (index 317).
To apply for these visas, the following are required:
- Electronic visa
- E-Itas & MERP (multiple-entry and exit permit)
- Reporting document (Surat Tanda Melapor, STM)
- Residence certificate (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal, SKTT)
Step 6: Submission of Visa and Multiple Entry Permit to the Immigration Office upon Arrival
Upon entering Indonesia, the electronic visa & MERP (multiple-entry and exit permit) must be submitted to the local immigration office in the area where the expatriate will reside.
Step 7: Reporting Document to the Police (Surat Tanda Melapor, STM)
Step 8: Certificate of Domicile (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal, SKTT)
Within 7 days of arrival in Indonesia, potential foreign workers and family members under their sponsorship must report to the immigration service to declare their arrival ("lapor diri") and complete the necessary documents.
Failure to comply with this requirement within 7 days will constitute a violation of status, leading to legal complications that can be resolved through court visits and may result in significant fines.
At the immigration service, biometric data must be provided, various documents signed, and four color photographs measuring 2 x 3 cm must be provided.
Step 9: Conversion of VITAS to KITAS
After arriving in Indonesia, the foreign job applicant has 30 days to convert the VITAS visa to a working KITAS. They cannot leave the country during the process, or else their VITAS will become invalid. VITAS is a single-entry visa.
To do this:
- An application is prepared along with the necessary documents.
- Biometric data is collected at the immigration service.
The process takes 8 working days.
Once the KITAS is approved, it will be available as an online record along with the MERP.
With the KITAS and MERP, you can exit and re-enter Indonesia an unlimited number of times. MERP has the same validity period as KITAS.
Working in Indonesia without a work permit (IMTA)
Recent immigration laws provide for severe penalties if a foreign citizen is caught working without the proper visa and work permit.
If you are offered a job in Indonesia, make sure that the employer provides a work permit and a work visa; otherwise, you will be in an illegal situation with penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to 500 million Indonesian Rupiah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a KITAS valid for?
It depends on the type of KITAS. For example, a retirement KITAS is valid for one year, while a Work KITAS is valid for six months to one year. There is an exception for an investor KITAS, which is valid for two years. KITAS can be extended upon its expiration.
What is the cost of an Indonesian KITAS?
The cost varies depending on the type of KITAS you wish to obtain.
Is it possible to extend a KITAS in Indonesia?
Yes. A KITAS can be extended for up to five years.
What is an Exit Permit Only (EPO) for a KITAS holder in Indonesia?
A KITAS holder must apply for an Exit Permit Only (EPO) when switching between jobs, leaving their current employment, exiting Indonesia, or changing their type of KITAS.
How can I convert my KITAS into a permanent residence KITAP in Indonesia?
Requirements may vary between different types of KITAP. The spouse of an Indonesian citizen holding a KITAS can apply for a KITAP after a 2-year period of marriage. A holder of a Work KITAS can apply for a KITAP after using the KITAS four times in a row.
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