Can an International Student Work in Indonesia in 2025?

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Can an international student work in Indonesia

Are you an international student seeking to work in Indonesia? Do you want to know- Can an international student work in Indonesia? You have come to the right page! This blog covers everything you need to know about working in Indonesia. Understand whether you will be allowed to work while studying, is there a work visa? If so, what are its types? How can you apply for a work visa and more? 

Can an International Student Work in Indonesia? An Overiew

International students cannot work in Indonesia without a work permit. Indonesia is a country that wants international students to solely focus on their education while enrolled in a university. Therefore, with a student visa, you cannot work.

The good news is that there is an alternative. You can work in Indonesia after completing your education. That is, with a work permit!  You can, therefore, stay in the country and work for a long time.

On the other hand, if you have already completed your education in India you can apply for a work permit, work visa, and later a residence permit to work in Indonesia.

What is the Difference Between a Work Permit and a Work Visa?

Is there an Indonesia Post Study Work Visa?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. International students cannot work in the country while studying. On top of that, you cannot apply for a post-study work permit. The reason? Indonesia does not issue post-study work visas. This means after you complete your studies you need to return to India. 

You can apply for a work permit and work visa and travel to Indonesia. You also need a residence permit to stay in the country.

These are the top Universities in Indonesia you can enrol in

How Do I Get a Work Permit in Indonesia?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. To work in Indonesia you need to get a work permit. A work permit is the authorisation from the government allowing you to work. To get a work permit you need to get the following-

  1. An offer letter from the recongised employer
  2. A work contract
  3. A passport copy, and passport-size photographs 
  4. Proof of educational and work experience
  5. Work experience certificate 
  6. Proof of health insurance from the employer 
  7. A health certificate 

The Indonesia work permit is called the IMTA. The employer applies for the IMTA.

What is the Process of Obtaining an Indonesia Work Permit?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. You must get a work permit. The work permit application is as follows-

  1. The employer gets approval from the government to hire a foreigner (RPTKA)
  2. The employer issues an offer letter and gives a work contract 
  3. Asks you to send the necessary documents 
  4. This applies to the IMTA on your behalf 
  5. You get your IMTA issued 

What Type of Visa Do I Need to Work in Indonesia?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. International students cannot work while studying in the country. If you have already completed your education in Indonesia you can get a work visa. It is also called the Temporary Stay Visa (VITAS). It is important to know that a work visa can only be issued after you have obtained a work permit. There are different types of work visas issued for employment.

Watch this video to learn about Indonesia work visas and permits

Indonesian Visa & Work Permits: A Short Guide
Credit: @WeAreAirswift

How Many Types of Indonesian Work Visas Are There?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. If you have completed your studies, you can apply for a work visa to travel to the country. Indonesia issues different types of work visas. That is, employment, professional, and visas for invited event participants. Below we have discussed the types of Indonesian employment visas.

Types of Employment Visas in Indonesia Description 
Employment -E23This visa is to undertake employment-related activities. You can enter, leave, and re-enter the country as long as the visa is valid.
Trade office worker- chamber of commerce-e23VUndertake activities related to your profession at the Chamber of Commerce. You can also bring your family
Digital Experts (E24)Undertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study, and bring your family.
Commissioners and executives – E25AUndertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study, and bring your family.
General Manager – E25DUndertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study,  bring your family, and invest in the country.
Manager- E25EUndertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study,  bring your family, and invest in the country.
Supervisor – E25FUndertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study,  bring your family, and invest in the country.
Preacher-E27Undertake activities related to digital specialisation. You can also study,  bring your family, and invest in the country.

Note- These are just some of the employment visas available. You can also find other types of employment visas.

What Documents are Required for a Work Visa in Indonesia?

The following are the general documents you require for a work visa. Depending on the visa you are applying for you need additional documents.

Documents Description 
Passport Valid for 6 months beyond the duration of stay
Funds You need at least USD 2,000 
PhotosYour colour photo
CVYour detailed CV
Travel itinerary Detailing your travel plans 
Statement of CommitmentWithin 90 days of arrival, you will notify the Ministry of Manpower 
RetrunReturn ticket to India

Indonesia Work Visa Fees ,Processing Time, and Valditiy

Can an international student work in Indonesia? Therefore, you can get a work visa. The work visa fees, processing time, and validity are provided below-

Particulars Indonesia Work Visa FeesIndonesia Processing TimeIndonesia work Visa Validity
Employment visa (all)Rp 5.250.000 (Up to 180 Days)- Rp 9.500.000 (Up to 2 Years)5 working daysUp to 2 years (extendable)

How to Get a Work Visa for Indonesia?

Can an international student work in Indonesia? Therefore, you can apply for a work visa. The work visa application is as follows-

  1. Visit the official website- You need to visit the official website- evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Indonesia issues an e-visa for Indians. 
  2. Apply– You can select the option to apply, fill in your details, ensure you meet the requirements, and start the visa application process.
  3. Upload documents and pay fees- You need to upload your documents online and pay the fees electronically.
  4. Wait for processing- This is an evisa. Therefore, the processing is quick. You will get your visa in a week.
  5. Decision- You will get a decision on your application. Once a decision has been made, you can print your e-visa for work.

How can I Get a Temporary Residence in Indonesia?

A visa and a work permit is not sufficient. You need to get a KITAS. This is a residency permit. Once, you land in Indonesia, you need to report to the local immigration office. Thereafter, the visa official will check your documents. After this is done, they issue ITAS. This is the residency permit. The residency card you obtain is called KITAS. This is the proof of your legal temporary stay. 

Why Should I Work in Indonesia? Give Me 5 Reasons.

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. However, you can get a work permit later on to start working. These are some of the reasons why you should work in this country.

  1. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia has the fastest-growing economy. Opportunities in digital startups, finance, and manufacturing sectors are plenty.
  2. The lifestyle in Indonesia is affordable. You can enjoy a high quality of life without working on the finances.
  3. The country has a strong expat community. Therefore, there are plenty of networking opportunities.
  4. You can also get a rich cultural experience. The county has a total of 17,000 Islands!
  5. There are penalties of employee benefits in Indonesia. For example, severance pay, maternity leave, public holidays, religious holidays, overtime compensation, insurance benefits, and more.

Understand the cost of living in Indonesia-: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Countries

10 Most Paying Jobs in Indonesia for Foreginers 

Can an international student work in Indonesia? No. You cannot work at the time of studying. Later on, you can apply for a work permit and work. These are the highest-paying jobs in Indonesia for foreigners.

Highest Paying Jobs in Indonesia Approximate Average Monthly Salary
C-Suite executivesIDR 50 million 
Sales Director (Sales & Marketing)IDR 150 million 
Vice President, Engineering (Technology)IDR 120 million 
Legal Director (Legal)IDR 130 million 
Vice President, Engineering (Technology)IDR 120 million 
Site Director (Manufacturing Operations)IDR 95 million 
Head of Finance (Accounting & Finance)IDR 100 million 
Head of Compliance (Banking & Financial Services)IDR 90 million
Retail General Manager (Retail)IDR 70 million 
Head of Procurement (Procurement & Supply Chain)IDR 80 million 
Quality Director (Engineering & Manufacturing)IDR 75 million 

FAQs

Can an international student work in indonesia for indian students?

No. International students including Indian students are not allowed to work in Indonesia. You will have to solely focus on your studies while you are in the country. You will have to return to your home country. Thereafter, you can apply for a work permit, a work visa, and a residence permit to work.

Is Indonesia a good place for international students?

Yes. Indonesia is an excellent country to study. Not only does the country offer you quality education, the cost of living is also less. You can choose from a diverse range of courses. Moreover, the nationals are welcoming to international students.

Can a foreigner get a job in Indonesia?

Yes. You can get a job in Indonesia. However, to work in the country you need a work permit, a work visa and a residence permit. The work permit is applied by your employer. You can apply for a work visa and a residence permit.

Is it easy to get work permit in Indonesia?

Yes. It is easy to get a work permit in Indonesia because your employer applies for it, The employer will provide you with an employment contract, a job offer, and apply for a work permit. You need to provide the necessary documents to get a work permit.

Is Indonesia cheap to live?

Yes. Indonesia is a cheap country to live. The average cost of living in Indonesia is around USD  600 and USD 1,000 per month. The cost of living is 57% less than the UK, and 62% less than US.

We hope you now have the answer to your question- Can an international student work in Indonesia? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey! 

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