Given that Indonesia has a high unemployment rate and in order to enhance the employment opportunities for of local workers, the Ministry of Labor is usually very selective in the approval process of Work Permit for foreign employees. Based on the line of business of a company there are only a few positions that are allowed for a foreign employee.
Every foreign workers who wish to work and stay in Indonesia must obtain an IMTA (Work Permit). IMTA consists of information about foreign worker, such as Sponsor Company, address, Designation, work location and the validity of the work permit. If foreign employees wish to work in other location which is not listed in IMTA he/she must obtain a travel permit (SKJ-Surat Keterangan Jalan) from Local Police Station.
The maximum validity of IMTA (Work Permit) is 12 months, and may be extended in accordance with the work period indicated on RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Warga Negara Asing) or Expatriate Manpower Utilization Plan. But for jobs that are temporary, IMTA can be obtained under 12 months of validity. Minimum period for which IMTA (Work Permit) can be approved is 1 month.
The IMTA (Work Permit) is actually issued to the Sponsor Company for hiring the foreign worker. If that worker is no longer working for his sponsor company, he/she is not permitted to work anywhere in Indonesia without obtaining a new IMTA (Work Permit) which will be sponsored by another company/institution. Work Permit issued to the company/institution that sponsors foreign worker does not give permission to his/her Spouse and Children to work as well. If the spouse or children of a foreign employee plan to work in Indonesia, they must obtain IMTA (Work Permit) by themselves.
The documents required to obtain an IMTA (Work Permit) from Ministry of Labor are as follows:
- Copy of Passport of applicant
- Copy of KITAS (Stay Permit Card) of the applicant
- Copy of RPTKA (Expatriate Manpower Utilization Plan)
- Copy of TA-01 (Visa Recommendation for Work)
- Copy of VITAS (Visa approval/Telex)
- Copy of proof of payment of DPKK (Expertise and Skills Development Fund)
- Passport size photo (4X6, 2 Copies in red background)
- Fully filled application form signed by the Director of Sponsor Company
