Visas and work
permits
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Departemen Hukum dan
Hak Asasi Manusia or MOLHR)
through the Immigration Office (Direktorat Jenderal
Imigrasi) regulates visa and immigration matters. Visa applications should be
made at an Indonesian diplomatic mission outside Indonesia and work permit
applications at an office of the MOLHR in any capital city within Indonesia.
Numerous Indonesian migration agencies provide visa and work permit services.
Business visas are valid for 60 days and multiple-visit
business visas are available for longer stays of up to two months for each
visit and valid for one year from the date of the first arrival. However,
business visitors are not able to conclude any business transactions, engage in
local employment or perform professional or technical services and are limited
to “business investigation”.
The longest temporary resident permit is a limited-stay
permit card (Kartu Ijin Tinggal Terbatas or KITAS), which allows foreigners to
stay in Indonesia for a period of 12 months (renewable annually). To obtain a
KITAS, a foreigner will require the sponsorship of an Indonesian company or
representative office.
Foreign investors are authorized to appoint their own
management but must use local personnel for other positions, unless qualified
Indonesians are unavailable. Work permits must be obtained for expatriate
employment. Expatriate employment is permitted on the basis that an Indonesian
national will eventually assume the expatriate position and that regular
training will be provided to local personnel to ensure this. Temporary resident
visas are valid for six months to one year.
Employers are required to obtain a Permit to Employ Foreign
Manpower (Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing or IMTA) for foreign employees.