When an international sports event or a concert of a foreign artist is organized in Indonesia, usually a large number of foreign personnel will enter Indonesia and perform specific activities in relation to the event or concert. Examples of foreigners working at sports events are athletes, coaches, doctors, event organizers, operations staff, and others. Examples of foreigners working at concerts are artists, make-up artists, light and sound technicians, managers and others. Depending on the length of stay and the exact type of activities they will perform, they will either require a work permit or a business visa (type of C7/D7).
Sports events and concerts are usually accompanied by a large number of foreign workers, who all require a work permit or business visa
Work Permit for Foreigners Working at a Sporting Event or Concert
Most foreign personnel who will perform activities at the sports event or concert for a long-term duration (more than 30 days) may require a work permit. A work permit must be sponsored by a local entity in Indonesia, which is active as impresario agency as regulated by article 3 Paragraph 1 letter f of Manpower Regulation 8/2021. Since the organizers of these events usually do not an entity in Indonesia, they can engage with a third-party impresario agency that is willing to sponsor the foreign personnel. Our firm is able to assist clients with providing third-party impresario agency sponsorship as we have set-up cooperations with various trusted impresario agencies.
Application procedure
The application procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Application of Work Permit at the Ministry of Manpower
The first step in the application at the Ministry of Manpower is the application of the Hasil Penilaian Kelayakan RPTKA (Feasibility Assessment Result). For this application the following documents must be prepared:
- Cooperation agreement between the international event organizer and the Indonesian impresario company;
- A recommendation letter from the Ministry of Sport (in case of a sports event) or from the Ministry of Tourism (in case of a concert);
- The list of job titles to be used by the foreign personnel, artists or sports athletes. These job titles must be in line with the job titles provided by the Ministry of Manpower Regulation number 228/2019. However if the specific job titles are not mentioned in this regulation the Ministry of Manpower officials my approve alternative job titles on case-by-case basis; and
- A statement letter which states that the foreigners are employed and insured.
After the RPTKA is issued, the impresario company will apply for the work permit of each foreigner (notification).
Step 2: Application for Stay Permit and Police Permit
The application of the stay permit (ITAS/MERP) and police permit follow the standard procedure. Once the eVisa is issued by the Directorate General of Immigration, the foreigners can directly enter Indonesia. They will receive their stay permit (ITAS) and multiple re-entry permit (MERP) on arrival at the immigration checkpoint at the airport.
Upon entry intro Indonesia, the foreign personnel can immediately start working for the event. The immigration agent will in parallel arrange the police report (STM) at the local police office. The foreigners are not required to attend during this application process.
Business Visa for Foreigners at a Sporting Events or Concerts
In 2023, Immigration launched many brand-new types of visas including non-commercial sport events and concerts. Foreign nationals who will engage in those activities for a short duration (not longer than 60 days) are now allowed to use a specific business visa. The applicable visa types are as follows:
Single Entry Business Visa
- C7 – for Art and Culture Performers (duration no longer than 30 days)
- C7A – for Music performer (duration no longer than 30 days)
- C7B – for Crew of Music events (duration no longer than 30 days)
- C8A – for Athlete (duration no longer than 60 days)
- C8B – for Official of International Sport event (duration no longer than 60 days)
Multiple Entry Business Visa
- D7 – for Art and Culture performer (duration no longer than 30 days)
- D7A – for Music performer (duration no longer than 30 days)
- D7B – for Crew of Music events (duration no longer than 30 days)
- D8A – for Athlete (duration no longer than 60 days)
- D8B – for Official of International Sport event (duration no longer than 60 days)