KITAS Worker Application (Step-by-Step)

KITAS Worker Application

KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is the Limited Stay Permit Card. The Worker KITAS lets foreigners legally work and live in Indonesia, typically tied to an Indonesian company that sponsors them.

Total time: 45-60 days end-to-end Total cost: Rp 15-30 million (RPTKA processing + DKPTKA + VITAS fees + KITAS issuance)

Overall Flow (5 stages)

1. RPTKA approval (Ministry of Manpower) — 7-14 days
2. DKPTKA payment (compensation fund) — 1 day
3. VITAS application (Telex Visa at Embassy) — 5-7 days
4. Enter Indonesia on VITAS — you must arrive within validity
5. KITAS conversion (at Immigration office) — 5-7 days after arrival

Stage 1 — RPTKA (Foreign Worker Utilization Plan)

RPTKA is essentially your company's "license to employ foreigners." You must get this BEFORE you can apply for a visa.

Step 1.1: Access TKA Online

Go to https://tka-online.kemnaker.go.id

Step 1.2: Register or log in as Pemberi Kerja TKA (Employer of Foreign Workers)

You'll need:

• Company NIB
• Company NPWP
• Director authorization letter

Step 1.3: Submit RPTKA application

Fields required:

• Jabatan: Job title (must match approved positions list)
• Jumlah TKA: Number of foreign workers
• Lokasi Kerja: Work location
• Masa Kerja: Duration (typically 12 months, max 24)
• Alasan: Justification for why this role cannot be filled by an Indonesian
• Rencana Pendampingan: Indonesian counterpart training plan (mandatory)
• Upload: Job description, organizational chart, CV of foreign worker

Step 1.4: Wait for approval

Typical 7-14 days. Can be rejected if:

• Position is not on approved list
• Salary below minimum threshold
• Unclear training plan for Indonesian counterpart
• Company doesn't meet minimum employment of Indonesians

Step 1.5: Receive RPTKA Decree

Digital PDF from Kemnaker. This is required for Stage 2.

Stage 2 — DKPTKA Payment

DKPTKA (Dana Kompensasi Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing) = Compensation Fund for Foreign Worker Utilization.

Amount: USD 100 per foreign worker per month of employment (so 12 months = USD 1,200)

Step 2.1: Generate payment code

After RPTKA approval, generate payment ID via TKA Online.

Step 2.2: Pay via Indonesian bank

Transfer to specified government account. Must be from an Indonesian bank account.

Step 2.3: Upload receipt

Upload to TKA Online to complete the stage.

Stage 3 — VITAS (Telex Visa)

VITAS is the electronic visa notification that allows you to enter Indonesia to later apply for KITAS.

Step 3.1: Immigration application

Go to https://visa-online.imigrasi.go.id

Step 3.2: Submit supporting docs

• RPTKA approval PDF
• DKPTKA payment receipt
• Passport (6+ months validity)
• Photo
• CV/resume
• Degree certificates (may need apostille)

Step 3.3: Pay VITAS fee

Approximately USD 50-100 depending on processing speed.

Step 3.4: Receive Telex approval

Digital notification sent to you and to the Indonesian embassy/consulate in your home country.

Step 3.5: Collect visa at embassy (if required)

Some nationalities must physically visit the Indonesian embassy to collect the VITAS sticker in their passport. Others can enter directly on the electronic notification.

Stage 4 — Enter Indonesia

• You must enter Indonesia within VITAS validity (typically 90 days)
• At arrival, immigration officer stamps VITAS → gives you 30 days to convert to KITAS
• Keep all arrival documents safe

Stage 5 — KITAS Conversion

Within 30 days of arrival, go to the designated Immigration office.

Step 5.1: Office appointment

Book at https://visa-online.imigrasi.go.id

Step 5.2: Submit documents

• Passport with VITAS stamp
• Photo (red background, 4x6 cm)
• SK Kemenkumham + NIB of sponsor company
• RPTKA approval
• Employment letter from sponsor company
• Address registration (from RT/RW where you live)

Step 5.3: Biometrics

Fingerprint + photo taken at Immigration office.

Step 5.4: Pay KITAS fee

Approximately Rp 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 depending on validity period.

Step 5.5: Receive KITAS

Typically 5-7 days. You can pick up the physical KITAS card, or it's registered digitally to your passport.

After You Have KITAS

You can:

• Legally work for your sponsor company
• Stay in Indonesia for the KITAS validity period
• Travel in/out with a valid MERP (Multi Exit Re-entry Permit)
• Open a personal bank account
• Get a local driving license

You CANNOT:

• Work for any company other than your sponsor
• Conduct unrelated business activities
• Stay past KITAS expiry without renewal

KITAS Renewal

Must be renewed BEFORE expiry:

• RPTKA renewal (Stage 1 repeats)
• DKPTKA payment renewal
• KITAS renewal at Immigration (no need to leave Indonesia)

Start the renewal process 60 days before expiry to avoid gaps.

Common Problems

• RPTKA rejected: Usually because job title doesn't match "approved positions" list or training plan is weak. Revise and resubmit.
• Salary requirement: Indonesia has unwritten rules about minimum salaries for foreign workers (typically USD 1,200+/month). Lower salaries often get RPTKA rejected.
• Late arrival: If you miss the VITAS window, you must restart Stage 3
• Missing R/W address registration: You must register your residential address at the local RT/RW office when you move in. This is required at KITAS conversion step.

_Source: PP 34/2021 on Use of Foreign Workers; Permenaker 8/2021; imigrasi.go.id official guides._