Indonesia is a promising market for the employment of expats. The country attracts foreigners with its growing economy and rapid development. Find out what is required to obtain a work visa and where expats usually work

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Indonesia is a colorful and extremely picturesque country with unique views, nature, landscapes, as well as very hospitable and friendly people. It is no wonder that this exotic land attracts foreigners from all over the world.

The state is interesting not only for tourism, but also for residence and employment. The economy of the country is developing rapidly, the cities are modern, the infrastructure is comfortable, and the standard of living is high.

Despite the fact that the country is open to foreigners, finding a job here can be quite difficult. How to move to Indonesia for work? We will talk about working conditions and the procedure for obtaining a work visa below.

What does an expat need for employment in Indonesia?

For long-term residence and employment in Indonesia, it is necessary to have a long-term visa and a work permit.

The employer is usually responsible for drawing up a package of documents for foreigners. Therefore, the process of moving should start with job search.

Where can a foreigner look for a job in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, there are several reputable job sites, such as employment agencies: Jobs DB,  Job Street or Workster, which are aimed specifically at expats.

Alternatively, you can also search for jobs on Facebook groups or through Upwork and Fiverr portals.

 After you have found a job and agreed with the employer on all terms, you can start the visa application procedure.

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.

Work permit and work visa to Indonesia

As we have already mentioned, the employer is mostly responsible for issuing the work permit, and the local office of the Ministry of Labor issues the document. Usually, a foreign worker has the right to legally stay in the country for up to a year, rarely up to 3-5 years. The term depends on the vacancy and place of work.

  A temporary residence permit in Indonesia is called KITAS.

KITAS based on employment

What term is issued: 1 year (with the possibility of extension).

Minimum expenses: $2020 per year.

How to get?

A working KITAS can be obtained for a period of 1 year, exclusively for a specific position in a company that officially hires and becomes a visa sponsor. It is necessary to renew the permit every year, and after 5 years you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

In order to obtain a visa, the employer must obtain permission from the Indonesian government and the Indonesian Immigration Service to hire a foreign specialist. To do this, provide the employer with copies of an education certificate or a certificate of at least five years of work experience.

At the Indonesian consulate in the country of residence, the future expat receives a VITAS entry visa based on permission from the employer. Then, upon arriving in the country, he receives a permanent residence permit.

Family members who are financially dependent on the applicant are allowed to move, but they are not allowed to work.

The approximate period of processing documents is 2 months.

List of documents for obtaining a work permit in Indonesia

The standard package of documents for obtaining a work permit in Indonesia includes:

1. Foreign passport, the validity period of which expires no earlier than 18 months from the moment of submission of documents.

2. Birth certificate.

3. Photo on a red background (6 pieces of each size 2x3 cm, 4x6 cm, 3x4 cm).

4. Questionnaire and visa application.

5. Address of residence in Indonesia.

6. Medical insurance for 1 year.

7. Invitation from the employer company with the term of the contract and working conditions.

8. Resume in English with a description of previous professional experience.

9. Charter and license of the inviting company.

Where do expats work in Indonesia?

Most of the jobs for foreigners are concentrated in the capital, Jakarta. Cities such as Surabaya and Bandung, as well as the island of Kalimantan and the province of Papua, where there are many vacancies in the oil and gas or mining industry, are also promising for employment. If you are interested in working in the field of tourism, the best place will be the island of Bali.

In general, about 48% of the country's workforce is employed in the service sector, 13% in the industrial sector, and 39% in the agricultural sector.

For foreigners, the most available vacancies are mostly in the following areas:

- finance, insurance and banking;

- automobile industry;

- petrochemical and mining industry;

- tourism;

- logistics;

- Information Technology;

- electronics;

- engineering.

- health care;

- telecommunications and advertising.

Young specialists are often employed as teachers and tutors of the English language.

Salary level in Indonesia

Currently, the average salary in Indonesia is approximately 8-9 million Indonesian rupiah per month, or $565-635.

However, in general, the level of earnings depends on the profession, field, place of work, qualification. For example, in international companies, qualified specialists can claim a salary of $2,000-$3,000 and above.

Financial managers in the country earn from 1500 to 3000$, and experienced engineers have up to 5000$ per month.

Tax system for foreigners in Indonesia

In Indonesia, the income of residents is taxed regardless of where they work, and non-residents pay taxes only for the income they received on the territory of the Republic. As for the amount of taxation, for residents they are up to 30% of the total income, and for non-residents - 20% of the total income.

Working conditions and work culture

A typical working day in Indonesia is 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, with some businesses also open half a day on Saturdays.

Work culture in Indonesia places a strong emphasis on hierarchy and group harmony. Decisions are often made by consensus, and respect for senior team members is paramount.

In recent years, Indonesia has become increasingly popular among expats, so it is worth considering this country when planning to move abroad.

We will remind you that we talked about the labor market in Angola and the prospects for expats here. The ranking of the best cities in the world for employment of expats in this article.

Photo: insights.worldref