If you are a foreign professional talking to an Indonesian employer, you will hear four terms again and again: RPTKA, DKP-TKA, KITAS and counterpart. This guide explains each one in plain English, so you know what your employer has to do, what you need to prepare, and which questions to ask before you resign from your current job.
The rules below come mainly from Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 on the employment of foreign workers and Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021. They are summarised as general information — always confirm the current position with your employer's legal team or a licensed adviser.
The Short Version
- Your employer sponsors everything. You cannot apply for a work permit yourself.
- The employer first gets an RPTKA (foreign worker utilisation plan) approved for your specific position.
- The employer pays the DKP-TKA levy: US$100 per foreign worker per month.
- Immigration then issues your Work KITAS (index E23), a limited stay permit tied to that job.
- The employer must assign an Indonesian counterpart to work with you and receive training from you.
1. RPTKA — The Foreign Worker Utilisation Plan
The RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing) is the Ministry of Manpower's approval for a company to employ a foreign worker in a named position for a fixed period. The employer submits it online with company documents, an organisation chart, the draft employment contract and details of the Indonesian counterpart.
What this means for you:
- Your job title matters. The RPTKA is approved for a specific position. Doing a substantially different job, or holding two positions in the same company, is not allowed.
- The approval is for a period. Standard assignments can be approved for up to two years and extended; short temporary work has a much shorter cap.
- Some positions are closed to foreigners. Under Minister of Manpower Decree No. 349 of 2019, roles that manage personnel or human resources — for example HR Manager or Personnel Director — cannot be filled by foreign workers. An RPTKA for these roles will not be approved.
2. DKP-TKA — The Compensation Fund
For each approved foreign worker, the employer pays the DKP-TKA (Dana Kompensasi Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing), a compensation fund of US$100 per position, per foreign worker, per month. For a 12-month permit, that is US$1,200, generally paid in advance for the permit period.
This is an employer obligation. Be cautious of anyone who asks you, the candidate, to pay the employer's levy or "permit fees" to secure a job.
3. Work KITAS (E23) — Your Stay Permit
Once the RPTKA is approved and the levy paid, the employer applies for your Work KITAS — a limited stay permit (Izin Tinggal Terbatas) under visa index E23. It is commonly issued for 6 months, 1 year or 2 years, matching the approved work period, and can be renewed.
Things to prepare:
- A passport valid for well beyond six months from application.
- Degree or qualification certificates relevant to the job title.
- Evidence of experience — employers and advisers commonly cite at least five years in the field, or a recognised competency certificate.
- CV, photographs and any documents your employer's agent requests.
Processing from RPTKA filing to e-KITAS issuance is commonly reported at around four to eight weeks, but plan for delays.
4. The Indonesian Counterpart Rule
Indonesian law requires the employer to assign an Indonesian national to work alongside you and to provide education and training so that skills are transferred. The employer must also facilitate Indonesian language training for the foreign worker.
In practice, this means your role will include mentoring or knowledge transfer. It helps to show this in your CV and interviews — employers value candidates who can train a counterpart.
What You Cannot Do
- Work on a tourist, visit or visa-on-arrival stay. Working for an Indonesian employer without a Work KITAS can lead to fines and deportation.
- Use the remote worker permit (E33G) to work for an Indonesian company. E33G is for people working for employers or clients outside Indonesia.
- Switch employers on the same permit. The permit is tied to the sponsoring employer and position.
Questions to Ask Your Employer Before You Resign
- Has the RPTKA for my position been submitted — and approved?
- What exact job title is on the RPTKA?
- Who is handling the KITAS application, and what is the expected timeline?
- Who will be my Indonesian counterpart?
- Is the employer paying all permit costs, including the DKP-TKA?
- What happens to my permit if the contract ends early?
If the answers are vague, do not hand in your notice yet.
Where TalentBridge HR Fits In
TalentBridge HR is a recruitment brand, not an immigration agent, and we do not sponsor work permits — sponsorship always comes from the hiring employer. If you are a Farsi/Persian-speaking professional based in Indonesia, you can register your profile on our Persian-speaking candidates page. Registration does not guarantee an interview, job offer or permit.
For the wider picture of who Indonesian employers hire from abroad, read jobs in Indonesia for foreigners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a KITAS in Indonesia? A KITAS is a limited stay permit. For employment, it is the Work KITAS (visa index E23), sponsored by an Indonesian employer and linked to an approved position.
Can I apply for a Work KITAS myself? No. The Work KITAS requires an Indonesian employer to sponsor it after obtaining an approved RPTKA.
How much is the DKP-TKA? US$100 per foreign worker per month, paid by the employer.
How long is a Work KITAS valid? Commonly 6 months, 1 year or 2 years, matching the approved work period, and it can be renewed.
Can foreigners work in HR in Indonesia? No. Roles that manage personnel or human resources, such as HR Manager or Personnel Director, are closed to foreign workers under Minister of Manpower Decree No. 349 of 2019.
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Regulations and fees change. Confirm current requirements with Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower, the Directorate General of Immigration (imigrasi.go.id) or a licensed adviser.
