It is usually easy for expats to obtain their work permit and stay permit (ITAS) in big cities and popular regions (such as Bali). This is often not the case when foreigners work on projects in remote areas (read also: Work Permits for Projects). In these remote areas expats usually face more scrutiny from local authorities. This happens because local Immigration and Manpower offices handle a low number of expats. This puts any foreigner working in the region on the radar. These local authorities usually impose additional reporting requirements to expats living and working in their region. The central government does not regulate these additional requirements. However, when expats do not follow them, they may cause serious problems for them or their sponsor companies.
In this article we will discuss briefly the standard work and stay permit application process. After that, we will discuss the additional reporting requirements for expats traveling or working in remote areas. Remote areas are cities or locations other than Jakarta or Bali.
STANDARD WORK AND STAY PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS
The standard work and stay permit application process consists out of three phases:
PHASE 1: WORK PERMIT APPLICATION
In the first phase, the sponsor company is required to obtain 2 permits, from the Ministry of Manpower:
- The RPTKA is a corporate licence that specifies the job titles of foreign workers, the number of foreign workers in a company and the duration of their assignment in Indonesia. It is used as the basis to apply for a foreign worker’s work permit.
- Once a company has obtained the RPTKA, it can apply for the work permit of a foreign worker. The work permit is also a corporate license which is issued for each individual foreign worker. It specifies their identity, job title, work locations, sponsor company and validity period.
PHASE 2: STAY PERMIT APPLICATION
During this phase the foreign worker will obtain the following permits / visas:
- eVisa (electronic visa) from the directorate general of immigration: Once the work permit is ready, the company can pay the visa fees to initiate the application of the eVisa. Foreigners can print out this eVisa and show it to the immigration officials at the airport upon entry into Indonesia. This eVisa is the prerequisite to obtain the stay permit (ITAS) and re-entry permit (MERP).
- Stay Permit (ITAS) and Re-entry Permit (MERP), issued by the immigration officer at the airport: Immigration officials will issue the stay permit and re-entry permit at the immigration checkpoint at the airport. The directorate general of immigration will usually issue the e-ITAS within 3 working days after the date of entry into Indonesia.
PHASE 3: LOCAL PERMIT APPLICATION
Upon entry into Indonesia, the foreign worker can immediately start working, however there are still a few permits and reports which needs to be arranged, namely:
- The police report (STM) from the local police;
- Certificate of Temporary Residence (SKTT) from the local civil registration; and
- Existence Report (LK) from the local manpower department.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN REMOTE AREAS FOR FOREIGN WORKERS
FOREIGN WORKERS ASSIGNED IN JAKARTA WHO ARE TRAVELING TO REMOTE AREAS
When the expats need to visit a remote area, they must obtain any or all of the following permits / reports prior to their arrival to such area:
- a Travel Permit (SKJ) from the national police;
- Report to the local immigration office;
- Report to the local police office; and/or
- Report to the local manpower office.
In remote areas hotels usually report foreigners who stay at their hotel to the local authorities. In case the company fails to report their foreigner workers to the local authorities, it will significantly increase the risks of audits and will lead to an increased risk of issues with these local authorities. This may ultimately lead to deportation of and re-entry bans for the foreign workers and potential penalties for the employer company of the foreign workers.
FOREIGN WORKERS WHO LIVE IN REMOTE AREAS
In case expats are living in the remote area, and their company holds its domicile in this area, they do not require to process any additional local report. However, in case the expat travels to another remote area, then he or she may require a travel permit (SKJ), local immigration report, local police report, and/or local manpower office report.