Working legally in Indonesia: permits, limits and remote work

The basic rule

Foreigners in Indonesia need specific authorisation to work. Being employed by a local company, earning income in Indonesia or running a local business all count as work. A tourist or social-visit status does not cover any of them.

This section draws on consultancy, payroll-provider and expat-community guides. These are practical sources, not government texts. Rules and agency names have changed several times, so check the current requirements with the Directorate General of Immigration (imigrasi.go.id) and the Ministry of Manpower before you commit.

What is allowed

• Employment with an Indonesian sponsor. The employer must be a registered Indonesian company with a tax number (NPWP) and a business licence. The company, not the individual, applies for the manpower approvals.
• Investor or shareholder status. There is a separate Investor KITAS for shareholders, directors or commissioners with significant investment in the company. According to one consultancy guide, it does not require an RPTKA.
• Remote work for an overseas employer on a dedicated visa. Indonesia launched a Remote Worker Visa (E33G) in 2024. According to an expat guide, it allows up to one year of residence while working for a foreign employer or your own business abroad.

What is not allowed

• Working remotely on a tourist or social-visit visa. Guides state that foreigners cannot legally work remotely for overseas companies while in Indonesia on these visas.
• Local employment or running a local business on the remote worker visa. The E33G does not authorise either.
• Working for a different company, in a different role or in a different location from the one in your approval. The permit is valid only for the specific company, role and location stated in the RPTKA.
• Starting work before all approvals are in place. Employers must have the RPTKA approval and work permit before the employee begins. Guides describe strict penalties for non-compliance. The usual risks for an individual are fines, deportation and being barred from re-entry. Check the exact penalties with immigration.

How the employer-sponsored route works

The process is run by the employer and has been fully digital since 2025:

1. RPTKA (foreign worker utilisation plan). The employer must justify why the role cannot be filled locally. One guide describes a two-step process: a feasibility assessment (HPK RPTKA), then a formal attestation (Pengesahan RPTKA) through the OSS system.
2. Work permit. This was formerly called IMTA and is now often called a Notification. It is issued to the employer.
3. VITAS (limited-stay visa). This is an e-Visa applied for through an Indonesian embassy or consulate. It is valid for about 60 days for entry only.
4. KITAS (e-ITAS). After you arrive, convert the VITAS into the stay permit at the local immigration office within 30 days. Biometrics are taken at this step.

The working KITAS (E23) is for people with an employment contract with an Indonesian legal entity who are paid by that entity. It is typically valid for up to 2 years, matching the work approval. One guide reports a typical processing time of 4–8 weeks for the full chain as of 2025.

Requirements for you as the employee

• Experience. One guide says the E23 applicant needs at least five years of relevant work experience. The check happens at the RPTKA stage, so a candidate who falls short causes the employer's application to fail before the visa stage.
• Documents. Typically a passport, CV, diplomas and the sponsor company's papers. Some professions also need proof of licences or certifications.

Common mistakes

• Treating a long tourist stay as a base for remote work. The permitted activities depend on the visa category, not on where your employer is based.
• Missing the 30-day conversion window after arriving on a VITAS.
• Assuming the permit moves with you. If your job, employer or location changes, ask the employer to confirm what must be amended.
• Relying on informal agents' advice about status. Confirm the visa category and conditions on the official immigration website or at an immigration office.

Before you decide

• If you work for a foreign employer, check the current E33G conditions (eligibility, income requirements, fees) on imigrasi.go.id.
• If you plan to be employed locally, ask the prospective employer whether it has handled RPTKA approvals for foreigners before.
• The Second Home Visa for high-net-worth individuals exists, but guides note that work restrictions apply. Check the exact conditions with immigration.