Indonesia tightens document requirements for work permits, limited-stay visas

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Indonesia has introduced more stringent endorsement and signature requirements for those applying for work permits or limited-stay visas.

What does the change mean? Applicants will be required to provide additional stamps or endorsements when submitting curriculum vitae, education certificates and reference letters. The changes affect all applications dated Nov. 4 or later and could affect pending applications.

• Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Work permits and limited-stay visas.
• Who is affected: Employers and applicants for work permits or limited stay visas in Indonesia.
• Impact on processing times: Processing could be delayed if the new requirements are not followed.
• Next steps: Employers and foreign nationals should be prepared to take additional steps to comply with the new requirements.

Background: The changes are the result of a new regulation and cover work permits and limited-stay visa applications. Documents subject to the new requirements include curriculum vitae, education certificates and reference letters.

Curriculum vitae now require an official corporate stamp from the sponsoring employee, the applicant’s signature on each page and an IDR 6,000 duty stamp. Education certificates must be stamped with an official corporate stamp, translated into Bahasa Indonesian or English and accompanied by an IDR 6,000 duty stamp. Reference letters must be endorsed by a local sponsoring entity, stamped with the official corporate stamp of the employer and accompanied by an IDR 6,000 duty stamp.

Previous regulations did not require the additional procedures, but they are now part of the process for obtaining a work permit or limited stay visa.

BAL Analysis: Employers should be prepared to gather and provide the required stamps and endorsements in order for their employees’ applications to be processed in a timely manner. They should also be cognizant that pending applications filed on or after Nov. 4 could be affected by the new requirements.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Indonesia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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