Indonesia is a colorful and extremely picturesque country with unique views, nature, and landscapes, as well as very hospitable, friendly people. It is no wonder that this exotic land attracts foreigners from all over the world.

The republic is interesting not only for tourism but also for residence and employment. Even though the economy in Indonesia is not too rich, it is a fairly highly developed country with modern cities, comfortable infrastructure, and a decent standard of living.

Today, about 350,000 emigrants live in the Republic, mostly in Jakarta. Even though the country is very open to foreign tourists, it is quite difficult to get a job here. Later in the article, we will find out how to find a job in Indonesia and move, what documents are needed for this, as well as what prospects await foreigners.

What needs to be done to come to the country to get a job

If we are talking about trips to the country for a short period, then most tourists do not need a visa. However, for work and long-term residence, it is necessary to have a long-term visa.

In Indonesia, the laws regarding the employment of foreigners are quite strict, and the labor immigration process can take some time. The main requirements for foreign nationals who want to work legally in the country are a work permit and a visa. Therefore, before completing the documents, you need to find an employer.

You can search for vacancies in Indonesia on the following sites:

• Jobstreet.co.id;

• bestjobsindonesia.com;

• Jakarta Post;

If it is difficult to find a suitable job on resources, you can contact recruitment agencies.

The work permit is usually applied for by the employer, and the local office of the Ministry of Labor issues the document. Usually, a foreign worker has the right to legally stay in the country for up to one year, rarely up to 3-5 years. The term depends on the vacancy and place of work. After obtaining permission, you can apply for a work visa at the consulate.

In general, there are two types of visas for foreigners who are going to work in Indonesia:

• Izin Tinggal Terbatas visa (VITAS);

• Izin Tinggal Terbatas (ITAS) limited-term visa.

It is also worth taking into account that the immigration laws in Indonesia change frequently, so it is advisable to regularly monitor the information and clarify all the details.

Terms 

After arriving in the territory of the Republic, within the first 7 days, it is necessary to apply to a regional immigration office to obtain a temporary residence card, which is valid for up to one year. The document is usually issued within two weeks.

Foreigners arriving in Indonesia with a work visa are also advised to register with the state health insurance system.

If a person works and lives in the country for about 5 years and has an ITAS, he/she can apply for a Kartu Izin Tinggal Tetap (KITAP), which gives the right to permanent residence.

Documents required

To obtain a work visa to move to Indonesia, a foreign worker must submit the following documents:

• a copy of the valid passport;

• a document confirming medical insurance;

• color photos;

• a copy of the document on higher education, certified by the seal and signature of the employer;

• a copy of the resume, certified by seal and signature.

• a document confirming the availability of at least five years of relevant experience.

You can learn more about immigration, terms, and documents on the Direktorat Jendral Imigrasi website.

Taxes

In Indonesia, the income of residents is taxed regardless of where they work, and non-residents pay taxes only on the income they received in the territory of the Republic. As for the amount of taxation, for residents, it is up to 30% of the total income, and for non-residents - 20% of the total income.

Job prospects

Most of the jobs for foreigners are concentrated in the capital, Jakarta. Cities such as Surabaya and Bandung, as well as the island of Kalimantan and the province of Papua, where there are many vacancies in the oil and gas or mining industries, are also promising for employment. If you are interested in working in the field of tourism, the best place will be the island of Bali.

In general, about 48% of the country's labor force is employed in the service sector, 13% in the industrial sector, and 39% in the agricultural sector.

For foreigners, the most available vacancies are mostly in the following areas:

• finance, insurance, and banking;

• automobile industry;

• petrochemical and mining industry;

• tourism;

• logistics;

• IT;

• electronics;

• engineering.

• health care;

• telecommunications and advertising.

Young specialists are often employed as teachers and tutors of English.

In terms of income, the average salary in Indonesia is currently around IDR 8-9 million per month, or $565-635. However, the level of earnings depends on the profession, field, place of work, and qualification. For example, in leading international companies, qualified specialists can claim a salary of 2-3 thousand dollars and above. Financial managers in the country earn from 1.5 to 3 thousand dollars, and experienced engineers make up to 5 thousand dollars.

If you have professional skills, knowledge of English and Indonesian, as well as qualifications, and work experience of at least 5 years, in this case, you can find a decent job with a decent salary in Indonesia.