Case: A Manufacturing Company Expanding to Indonesia
A German manufacturing company planned to open a PT PMA in Jakarta. They needed five foreign engineers to install new machinery and train local staff.
The challenge: Indonesian labor law requires every foreign employee to have a valid work permit (RPTKA + IMTA) and KITAS before starting work. The company had no local HR team and no experience dealing with immigration procedures.
They partnered with Swift Visa Indo to handle the entire process.
Step 1: Planning and RPTKA Approval
Swift Visa Indo started with a manpower planning session:
- Identifying positions eligible for foreign workers
- Preparing documents for the RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan)
- Submitting the RPTKA application to the Ministry of Manpower
This step is mandatory before applying for the work permit itself.
(Related: Foreign Investment Company)
Step 2: Work Permit and Visa Application
Once the RPTKA was approved, the next steps included:
- Applying for the Notifikasi (Work Permit / IMTA)
- Paying the DKP-TKA (foreign worker compensation fund)
- Getting the Telex Visa (VITAS) issued from the Directorate General of Immigration
Swift Visa Indo handled all submissions through their direct government access channel, which cut approval time from the usual 6 weeks to only 3 weeks.
Step 3: KITAS Issuance and Arrival
When the five engineers arrived in Indonesia:
- They submitted passports to immigration for biometric registration
- Swift Visa Indo converted the VITAS into KITAS (limited stay permit)
- Each KITAS was valid for 12 months and renewable
(Related: Foreign Worker Visa)
Step 4: Compliance and Reporting
After permits were issued, Swift Visa Indo continued to assist with:
- Monthly reporting to the Ministry of Manpower
- Annual renewal tracking
- Exit permit arrangement if employees leave early
This prevented overstays and kept the company’s status compliant, which is crucial to maintain their PT PMA license.
Results
- All five engineers were onboarded within 6 weeks, compared to the 10–12 weeks average without expert support.
- No penalties or document rejections.
- The company passed a random labor inspection with zero findings.
Why Companies Use Swift Visa Indo for Work Permits
- Direct government submission channel (faster approval)
- Handles enterprise work permit Indonesia from start to finish
- Supports enterprise expatriate visa Indonesia and Indonesia visa for corporate employees
- Aligns work permit compliance with payroll and tax reporting
- Provides company-sponsored visa and KITAS bulk applications for large teams
FAQs
Q: How long is a work permit valid?
A: Usually 12 months, depending on the contract period.
Q: Can companies apply for multiple work permits at once?
A: Yes. Swift Visa Indo handles bulk applications to save time.
Q: What if a foreign employee resigns early?
A: The company must process an exit permit and cancel the KITAS to avoid penalties.
Getting an enterprise work permit in Indonesia can be complex and time-consuming. But with the right partner, companies can bring in foreign staff quickly and legally.
Swift Visa Indo combines speed, compliance, and full coordination with government offices allowing businesses to focus on operations, not paperwork.
Need to hire foreign professionals? Contact Swift Visa Indo and get your work permits done fast and correctly.
