The Complete Process Guide to the Work KITAS (E23)
A practical, step-by-step guide to the Limited Stay Permit for foreign nationals employed by a corporate sponsor in Indonesia — process flow, document requirements, official government fees, and the legal basis behind each stage.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Work KITAS
- Legal Basis for the Process
- Key Requirements Before Applying
- Complete Process Flow — 5 Stages
- Documents from the Sponsoring Company
- Documents from the Foreign Worker
- Estimated Process Timeline
- Official Government Fees
- Validity and Renewal
- Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Common Mistakes That Delay the Process
- Checklist Before Applying
- Glossary of Terms
- FAQ
The Work KITAS is the Limited Stay Permit issued to a foreign national who is legally employed by a corporate sponsor in Indonesia. Because the process spans two ministries and several sequential stages, employers and foreign nationals frequently ask exactly how the process runs, what documents are needed, and how long each stage takes.
This guide sets out the full Work KITAS process in order — from RPTKA approval at the Ministry of Manpower through to the physical KITAS card and post-arrival civil registration — so it can be used as a quick reference when answering customer questions. If you need hands-on support, the STEPS.ID team can assist through our KITAS handling service.
01 What Is the Work KITAS
KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is the physical or electronic proof of a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) granted to a foreign national to reside in Indonesia for a defined period. The "Work KITAS" is the ITAS issued on the basis of a Limited Stay Visa for employment purposes — currently classified under Visa Index E23, for foreign nationals employed by a sponsoring company in Indonesia.
Since the Job Creation Law took effect, the employer-side work authorisation has been simplified into a single document — the RPTKA approval. The previously separate Foreign Worker Work Permit (IMTA) has been abolished and folded into the RPTKA mechanism.
02 Legal Basis for the Process
03 Key Requirements Before Applying
A Registered Corporate Sponsor
A Work KITAS can only be applied for once a legally registered Indonesian company agrees to sponsor the foreign national.
Position Matches Business Classification
The proposed position must match the sponsor's registered KBLI business classification and may not be a personnel/HR role.
Qualifications & Local Counterpart
The foreign national must have at least 5 years of relevant experience, and the company must appoint a local counterpart for knowledge transfer.
04 Complete Process Flow — 5 Stages
In practice, the Work KITAS process runs through five sequential stages:
05 Documents from the Sponsoring Company
For the RPTKA application, the sponsoring company typically needs to prepare:
- Business Identification Number (NIB), synchronised with the OSS system
- Deed of establishment and any subsequent amendments, duly ratified
- A formal RPTKA application letter stating the clear and detailed reason for hiring a foreign worker
- An organisational chart showing the position the foreign national will fill
- A completed RPTKA form: number of foreign workers, position, work location, and assignment duration
- A draft employment contract between the company and the foreign national
- A letter appointing a local counterpart employee for knowledge transfer purposes
06 Documents from the Foreign Worker
From the foreign national's side, the documents typically required include:
- A national passport valid for at least 18 months at the time of VITAS application
- Recent colour photographs meeting immigration specifications
- An educational certificate relevant to the position to be filled
- A competency certificate or work reference confirming at least 5 years of relevant experience
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- A health certificate from a recognised medical facility
- A copy of the employment contract with the sponsoring company
07 Estimated Process Timeline
Actual processing time varies by case, but as a general reference across the five stages:
| Timeframe | Stage |
|---|---|
| Week 1–3 | RPTKA submission & approval at the Ministry of Manpower |
| Week 3–4 | DKP-TKA payment & VITAS issuance |
| Week 4–5 | Arrival & conversion to KITAS |
| Week 5–6 | MERP processing |
| Week 6–8 | SKTT, STM & physical KITAS card issued |
08 Official Government Fees
Beyond any service fee, there are official levies set by the government and paid directly to the state treasury:
- DKP-TKA (Foreign Worker Utilisation Compensation Fund): under Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, this is set at USD 100 per month, per position, per foreign worker, paid by the sponsoring company at the Notification stage via SIMPONI.
- Immigration PNBP (state non-tax revenue): charged for VITAS and KITAS issuance, under Government Regulation No. 45 of 2024 on Immigration PNBP Tariffs.
09 Validity and Renewal
A Work KITAS (E23) is issued for a validity of 1 to 2 years, aligned with the underlying RPTKA and employment contract period.
A 1-year KITAS can be renewed up to 5 times, and a 2-year KITAS up to 2 times, subject to a maximum cumulative stay of 6 consecutive years under the same sponsor and permit category. Once this cap is reached, the foreign national cannot simply extend further under the same structure and will need a different route or a break in sponsorship.
10 Ongoing Compliance Obligations
Once the Work KITAS is issued, obligations for the company and the foreign national continue throughout the employment period. Under Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021:
- Register the foreign worker with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and BPJS Kesehatan if employed for 6 months or more; if under 6 months, the worker must be insured with an Indonesian-registered insurer
- Ensure the foreign worker only holds the position stated in the approved RPTKA and Notification
- Carry out the required knowledge-transfer programme with the appointed local counterpart
- Report any change in data, including renewal or termination of employment, to the relevant authorities
- Maintain a valid MERP for any international travel during the KITAS validity period
11 Common Mistakes That Delay the Process
- Applying for the VITAS before DKP-TKA payment via SIMPONI is confirmed
- Uploading foreign-language documents that have not been translated by a sworn translator
- Proposing a position in the RPTKA that does not match the company's KBLI, or that falls under a restricted HR/personnel role
- Missing the 14-day window to register for SKTT and STM after KITAS issuance
- Assuming biometric verification can be delegated to a representative — it cannot; the foreign national must appear in person
- Overlooking MERP, leaving the holder unable to re-enter Indonesia smoothly after travel
12 Checklist Before Applying
- ☐ Company NIB is synchronised with the OSS system
- ☐ The proposed position matches the company's KBLI and is not an HR/personnel role
- ☐ A local counterpart employee has been appointed
- ☐ All of the foreign worker's documents (passport, qualifications, experience) are complete and translated where needed
- ☐ A draft employment contract has been prepared
- ☐ Budget for DKP-TKA and PNBP fees has been set aside
- ☐ A BPJS registration plan is in place from the outset
- ☐ The foreign national's travel schedule allows for an in-person biometric appointment
13 Glossary of Terms
- RPTKA
- Foreign Worker Utilisation Plan — the company-level approval required before hiring a foreign worker.
- DKP-TKA
- Foreign Worker Utilisation Compensation Fund, a levy paid by the sponsor to the state treasury at the Notification stage.
- VITAS
- Limited Stay Visa, applied for before entry and converted into the KITAS upon arrival.
- ITAS/KITAS
- Limited Stay Permit and its card/proof document, issued by the immigration office after conversion from VITAS.
- E23
- The current visa/KITAS index for employment-based limited stay, in force since 2 June 2025 (replacing legacy codes such as C312).
- MERP
- Multiple Exit Re-entry Permit, allowing repeated travel in and out of Indonesia during the KITAS validity period.
- SKTT
- Certificate of Domicile, registered with the local Civil Registry Office within 14 days of KITAS issuance.
- STM
- Certificate of Reporting issued by the local police, confirming the foreign national's arrival has been reported.
- Sponsor
- The company or party legally responsible for guaranteeing a foreign national's presence and activities in Indonesia.
14 FAQ
What is the difference between RPTKA and the Work KITAS?
RPTKA is a company-based approval authorising the company to employ a foreign national in a specific position. The Work KITAS is an individual-based stay permit that grants that foreign national the right to reside legally in Indonesia.
Is C312 still a valid classification?
No. Since 2 June 2025, under Decree M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025, the legacy C-series codes including C312 were consolidated into the new E-series. The Work KITAS is now classified under index E23.
How many times can a Work KITAS be renewed?
A KITAS with a 1-year validity can be renewed up to 5 times; a 2-year KITAS up to 2 times — with a maximum cumulative stay of 6 consecutive years under the same sponsor and permit category.
How much is the DKP-TKA levy?
Under Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, DKP-TKA is set at USD 100 per month, per position, per foreign worker, paid via SIMPONI before the visa stage.
What is MERP and why is it needed?
MERP (Multiple Exit Re-entry Permit) allows a KITAS holder to leave and re-enter Indonesia repeatedly during the permit's validity period without applying for a new entry visa each time.
What happens if I don't register for SKTT and STM in time?
SKTT and STM registration is required within 14 days of KITAS issuance. Missing this window can result in administrative penalties and complications with subsequent immigration processes.
Can biometric verification be done by a representative?
No. In-person biometric verification (fingerprints, photo, and identity confirmation) is mandatory at the immigration office and cannot be done remotely or delegated — renewal schedules should be planned so this session falls while the holder is in Indonesia.
What are the risks of working without a valid Work KITAS?
The foreign national risks deportation and being placed on an immigration blacklist. The sponsoring company risks facing simultaneous immigration and labour law enforcement action.
Which government bodies handle the Work KITAS process?
Two ministries are involved: the Ministry of Manpower for RPTKA and DKP-TKA, and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kemenimipas) for VITAS and ITAS/KITAS issuance.
Can STEPS.ID handle the entire Work KITAS process?
Yes, the STEPS.ID team can provide full support from RPTKA approval through DKP-TKA payment, VITAS application, arrival and KITAS conversion, MERP processing, and civil registration.
Need help arranging a Work KITAS?
Get a free consultation with STEPS.ID on our KITAS handling service — we provide full support from RPTKA through to your KITAS card being issued, in line with Indonesian government regulations.
Work KITAS Indonesia The Complete Process Guide (E23)
