Working in Indonesia without the right documents is not a grey area. KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is Indonesia’s Temporary Stay Permit Card, issued by the Directorate General of Immigration (Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi) under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham). To work legally in Indonesia, most foreign nationals need both a valid KITAS and an IMTA (Izin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing), a work permit issued by the Ministry of Manpower. Working without these documents is a criminal offense under Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011, with penalties that include fines, deportation, and imprisonment.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot legally work in Indonesia without both a valid KITAS and an IMTA. Tourist visas, business visas, and social visas do not permit employment or paid activity of any kind.
- KITAS alone does not grant work rights. The Working KITAS (E23) must be paired with an IMTA issued by the Ministry of Manpower before any work can legally begin.
- Violations of Indonesian immigration law can result in fines up to IDR 500 million and up to 5 years imprisonment under Article 119 of Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011, plus deportation and a re-entry ban.
- Remote workers employed by overseas companies have one legal option: the E33G Remote Worker KITAS, introduced in 2024, which requires a minimum annual income of approximately USD 60,000 and prohibits work for Indonesian entities.
- Employers who hire foreign workers without proper RPTKA, IMTA, and KITAS also face criminal liability and can lose the right to sponsor foreign staff in the future.
What Is KITAS, and Does It Automatically Allow You to Work?
KITAS is the card that proves you hold a valid temporary stay permit in Indonesia. It does not, by itself, give you the legal right to work for an Indonesian company or earn income from Indonesian sources.
Indonesian immigration law separates two distinct legal concepts: the right to stay and the right to work. Your KITAS covers residency. Your IMTA covers employment. Both must be in place before a foreign national can legally start work.
Learn more about what is KITAS in Indonesia
What Counts as “Working” Under Indonesian Immigration Law?
This is where many foreign nationals run into trouble. Indonesian immigration law does not only target formal employment. Any activity that generates income or constitutes a professional service performed inside Indonesia can qualify as work under the law, even without a formal contract.
Common scenarios that constitute illegal work:
Working on a Tourist Visa or Visa on Arrival
Tourist visas (B211A) and Visa on Arrival cover tourism and short-term visits. They do not permit any form of paid activity. Foreign nationals who manage client deliverables, run local operations, or freelance while on these visas are in violation of Indonesian immigration law.
Working on a Business Visa
A business visa permits attending meetings, negotiations, and conferences. It does not allow income from Indonesian sources or employment duties for a local company. Working under a business visa is among the most cited grounds for deportation in enforcement actions by the Directorate General of Immigration.
Freelancing or Consulting for Local Clients
Providing professional services to Indonesian businesses or earning fees from Indonesian clients while on any non-work visa is illegal. This covers design, content creation, consulting, IT services, and similar activities where the payor is based in Indonesia.
Remote Work on a Tourist Visa
Foreign nationals who live in Indonesia on a tourist visa while working remotely for overseas clients occupy a position that Indonesian immigration authorities have increasingly clarified: it is not permitted. The Directorate General of Immigration has confirmed that any work activity conducted in Indonesia requires valid IMTA and KITAS. The E33G Remote Worker KITAS was created specifically to provide a legal route for this situation.
Also Read: Is It Legal to Be a Digital Nomad in Bali?
What Are the Legal Risks of Working Without KITAS in Indonesia?
Penalties fall on both the foreign worker and their sponsoring employer. Indonesian immigration enforcement has intensified in recent years, particularly in Bali and Jakarta, where immigration task forces conduct inspections at workplaces, co-working spaces, and residential areas.
Criminal Fines and Imprisonment
Under Article 119 of Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011, a foreign national who engages in work activity without the required permits faces a maximum fine of IDR 500 million and up to 5 years imprisonment. The same law holds employers and anyone who facilitates unauthorized work criminally liable.
Deportation and Re-Entry Bans
Deportation is the most common outcome when immigration authorities catch foreigners working without authorization. Under Article 75 of the same law, immigration officials can cancel the stay permit and issue forced departure. Deportation typically triggers a re-entry ban ranging from 6 months to several years. In serious cases, the ban can be permanent.
Immigration Detention
Where immediate deportation is not possible, foreign nationals in violation can be held in an Immigration Detention Center (Rumah Detensi Imigrasi, or Rudenim) until deportation is completed. Detention periods vary and conditions differ significantly by location.
Overstay Fines
If your KITAS has expired on top of an illegal work situation, you face an additional fine of IDR 1,000,000 per day of overstay under Article 78 of Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011. This caps at 60 days, after which deportation proceedings begin automatically.
Employer Penalties
Indonesian companies that employ foreign nationals without valid RPTKA, IMTA, and KITAS face fines and can lose authorization to hire foreign workers in the future. Company directors may face personal legal liability during Ministry of Manpower and immigration investigations.
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Can I Work Remotely in Indonesia Without a Work KITAS?
Yes, but only through one specific permit: the E33G Remote Worker KITAS, introduced in 2024 under Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 22 of 2023. This is the only legal route for foreign nationals who want to live in Indonesia while employed by or serving clients based outside the country.
The E33G does not require an Indonesian company sponsor, but it comes with firm requirements and restrictions:
Income Requirement
Applicants must show a minimum annual income of approximately USD 60,000, or around USD 5,000 per month. Acceptable documentation includes an employment contract from an overseas company and three months of bank statements showing an average balance of at least USD 2,000.
Work Restriction
The E33G explicitly prohibits any work for, or payment from, Indonesian companies or clients. You can serve your overseas employer or international clients, but the moment you earn from an Indonesian entity, you have violated the permit conditions.
Duration and Tax Residency
The E33G is valid for up to one year. If you stay beyond six months, you become a tax resident in Indonesia and may be required to declare and pay Indonesian income tax on worldwide income.
Also Read: Income Requirement for the Bali Digital Nomad Visa: What You Need to Prove
How Do You Get a Work KITAS Legally in Indonesia?
Getting a Working KITAS (E23) follows a set sequence that starts with the employer. Work cannot legally begin until every step is complete. Skipping steps or starting work while applications are still pending is a violation in its own right.
Step 1: RPTKA Approval from the Ministry of Manpower
The Indonesian employer submits and receives approval for an RPTKA from the Ministry of Manpower (Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan). This document outlines the specific position the foreign worker will fill and justifies why a local candidate cannot perform the role.
Step 2: IMTA Issuance
Once the RPTKA is approved, the employer applies for the IMTA, the actual work permit. The IMTA is tied to a specific employer, position, and work location. Any of those changes require a new IMTA before work in the new capacity can begin.
Step 3: Working Visa (C312) and Entry
With RPTKA and IMTA in place, the employee applies for a C312 working visa through Indonesia’s e-visa immigration portal. Since July 2024, this process is fully online at the e-visa imigrasi website. The C312 is valid for 60 days and is used to enter Indonesia.
Step 4: KITAS Application After Arrival
Within the C312 validity period, the employee must appear at the local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) for biometric registration and document submission. The KITAS is typically issued within 4 to 6 weeks and must be renewed at least 30 to 45 days before it expires to avoid overstay penalties.
For employers and foreign workers who want the process handled without documentation errors, InvestinAsia’s Work KITAS service covers RPTKA coordination, IMTA application, and KITAS issuance end-to-end.
Also Read: How to Renew KITAS in Indonesia: Step-by-Step Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do freelance work in Indonesia on a tourist visa?
No. Freelance work, consulting, or any paid professional activity performed in Indonesia requires a valid KITAS and IMTA. A tourist visa covers tourism and personal visits only. Working while on a tourist visa violates Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011 and can result in deportation and a re-entry ban.
Does a business visa allow me to earn income or work for a local company in Indonesia?
No. A business visa permits attending meetings, conferences, and negotiations, but it does not allow you to receive payment from Indonesian sources or perform employment duties for a local company. Any activity that crosses into fee-earning work or employment requires a Work KITAS and IMTA.
Does owning a PT PMA allow me to work in Indonesia without a Work KITAS?
Not automatically. PT PMA shareholders who actively manage their own company can apply for an Investor KITAS rather than a Work KITAS. The Investor KITAS covers management of your own investment activities and does not require RPTKA or IMTA. However, if you take on duties outside the investor role or work for another Indonesian entity, a separate Work KITAS and IMTA are required. Confirm your specific situation with an immigration professional.
What happens to an Indonesian employer if a foreign worker is caught working without KITAS?
Under Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011, employers who hire foreign workers without valid RPTKA, IMTA, and KITAS face criminal liability alongside the worker. Consequences include fines, loss of authorization to hire foreign staff in the future, and potential personal liability for company directors during Ministry of Manpower investigations.
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a Work KITAS while inside Indonesia?
In most cases, a status change from tourist visa to Work KITAS requires leaving Indonesia and applying through the standard RPTKA, IMTA, and C312 visa process from abroad. Indonesia introduced a Bridging Visa policy in 2024 that permits certain immigration status changes without departure, but eligibility depends on your current visa type and employer setup. An immigration specialist can assess whether this option applies to your situation.
How long does it take to get a Work KITAS in Indonesia?
The total timeline from RPTKA submission to KITAS issuance typically ranges from 4 to 10 weeks, depending on application complexity and current processing times at the Ministry of Manpower and the Directorate General of Immigration. The KITAS card itself is usually ready within 4 to 6 weeks after arriving on a C312 visa. Starting work before all permits are issued is not permitted under any circumstances.
References
1. Directorate General of Immigration, Republic of Indonesia. (2011). Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration (official English translation). Retrieved from
2. Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Republic of Indonesia. (2023). Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 22 of 2023 on Visa and Stay Permits. Referenced via
https://peraturan.go.id
3. Directorate General of Immigration, Republic of Indonesia. (2024). Indonesia e-Visa Immigration Portal. Retrieved from
https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id
4. Ministry of Manpower, Republic of Indonesia. (n.d.). OSS Online Single Submission system for RPTKA and IMTA processing. Retrieved from
https://oss.go.id
