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​A Brief Guide of Working Permits in Indonesia

Having your company employ expatriate workers or any foreign workers in Indonesia may seem complex. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a knowledge company should practice the correct terms to use foreign workers and working permits. In this article, we will discuss several guides to employ foreign workers in Indonesia correctly following provisions applied in Indonesia. 

Foreign Worker Permit is a decree that contains regulations on the permission of Foreign Citizens (WNA) to work in companies in Indonesia. In this case, the intention of Foreign Workers (TKA) is a foreign citizen holding a visa to work in Indonesia.

Many foreigners mistakenly think that a work permit is the same as Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS/ITAS). For a start, a working permit in Indonesia is called Expatriate Placement Hiring Plan (RPTKA). This document will be your ticket for legalization processed by Indonesian Immigration. 

The ratification of the Plan for the Employment of Foreign Workers (RPTKA) is a document that details specific tasks, positions, and length of service of foreign nationals in Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia issued the Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8/2021, which revised the Ministry of Manpower Regulation No. 10/2018 concerning the Procedure for Employment of Foreign workers. This latest regulation stipulates that RPTKA approval is now the basis for the authority to grant a limited stay visa (VITAS). Once you receive your VITAS, immigration in Indonesia will issue your limited stay permit (KITAS/ITAS).

The two most common types of visas used to conduct business in Indonesia are business visas and work permits visas, and the most important differences between the two visas are:

  • A business visa is for business dealings in Indonesia, such as conference seminars, unpaid training, etc. These types of Visa can not be used as working visas.

  • Work permits are used for services considered as labor or any work, with compensation in wages or salaries.

Legal Entities That Allowed to Employ Foreign Workers (TKA)