Hiring international talent can help a business introduce specialist knowledge, support technical projects, and strengthen its operations. Before arranging an overseas employee’s assignment, however, employers need to understand the approval requirements that apply to foreign workers in Indonesia.
RPTKA approval in Indonesia is a central part of this preparation. A well-prepared application connects the employer’s staffing needs with the proposed position, the candidate’s qualifications, and the intended employment period.
For business owners and HR teams, understanding these requirements early makes it easier to organize documents, coordinate responsibilities, and plan realistic onboarding dates.
What Is RPTKA Approval?
RPTKA stands for Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing, commonly translated as the Foreign Worker Employment Plan. Its approval, known as Pengesahan RPTKA, concerns the employment of foreign workers in specified positions for a defined period.
Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 establishes the framework for employing foreign workers, including employer responsibilities and the use of an approved RPTKA. The Ministry of Manpower’s legal database currently lists this regulation as in force. Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021.
The practical starting point is the proposed assignment: who will employ the candidate, what work they will perform, where they will work, and how long their expertise is needed.
Who Should Review RPTKA Requirements?
Companies planning to hire or assign foreign personnel should review the applicable RPTKA requirements before confirming employment arrangements.
This is particularly relevant when preparing for a new overseas hire, bringing in a technical specialist, or reviewing an existing expatriate assignment.
The initial assessment should establish:
- Whether the employer is eligible to employ foreign workers.
- Whether the proposed position is permitted.
- Whether an RPTKA exemption applies.
- Which application category fits the assignment.
- How employment approval will connect with immigration arrangements.
Employers should verify an exemption against the relevant provisions rather than relying on a candidate’s job title or ownership status alone.
RPTKA Requirements: Documents to Prepare
A useful way to organize an RPTKA application is to separate company records from the foreign employee’s supporting documents.
Employer Documents
For a typical application involving work exceeding six months, the published TKA Online manual identifies documents including:
- An RPTKA approval application letter.
- An assignment letter or power of attorney.
- Business Identification Number, known as NIB, and/or business licence.
- Deed of establishment and relevant approval or amendment documents.
- Evidence of mandatory company manpower reporting.
- Employer domicile information.
- A draft employment agreement or other relevant agreement.
- The company’s organizational chart.
Foreign Employee Documents
The manual also identifies candidate documents including:
- Educational diploma.
- Competency certificate or evidence of work experience.
- Employment agreement or another agreement with the employer.
- A colour copy of the passport.
- A recent colour photograph meeting the specified requirements.
These lists are a preparation guide; additional documents and category-specific exceptions may apply. TKA Online Manual, document requirements.
Before submission, compare the candidate’s name, passport details, position, and employment dates across the file. For example, if the employment agreement names a different position from the application, resolve that discrepancy before uploading the documents.
RPTKA Application Process in Indonesia
The established procedure under Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021 covers employer registration, application submission, feasibility assessment, candidate verification, applicable compensation payment, and approval issuance. Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, Article 6.
Employers can use the following sequence to plan their preparation.
1. Define the Assignment
Prepare a clear description of the proposed role and the business reason for engaging the foreign worker.
Avoid a generic description that could apply to any employee. Explain the actual responsibilities and the expertise needed for the assignment.
2. Confirm the Applicable Online Submission Route
Check the current official submission route before starting the application.
On 9 September 2026, BKPM announced integration arrangements connecting OSS, SIAPkerja, and the All Indonesia application for foreign-worker services relating to investment. The announcement identifies OSS as the single entry point, with the Ministry of Manpower responsible for RPTKA assessment and issuance through SIAPkerja.
Employers should therefore check the instructions available for their application category instead of relying entirely on older portal walkthroughs. BKPM announcement on foreign-worker service integration.
3. Prepare and Submit a Consistent File
Organize the company records, employment information, and supporting documents before entering the application.
Assign one person to maintain the final document set. This helps prevent different departments from submitting conflicting versions of an agreement or organizational chart.
4. Respond to Assessment and Verification Requests
Keep the person responsible for the application available to answer questions and coordinate any requested corrections.
A practical internal checklist should record what was requested, who will prepare the response, and when it must be submitted.
5. Complete Applicable Payment and Review the Approval
Where required, complete the DKPTKA payment according to the official billing instructions. After issuance, review the approval details and retain the document with the employee’s employment and immigration records.
How Much Is the DKPTKA Payment?
Under Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, DKPTKA is set at US$100 per position, per foreign worker, per month, payable in advance for the relevant approval period. Specified exemptions apply.
For a chargeable twelve-month assignment involving one worker in one position, the calculation would be US$1,200. This calculation concerns DKPTKA; employers should budget separately for applicable immigration charges and professional service fees. Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, Articles 35–36.
How Long Does RPTKA Approval Take?
Build the employment schedule around the whole application, including document preparation, assessment, corrections, payment, and immigration coordination.
A processing period attached to an individual government stage should not be treated as a guaranteed completion date for the entire assignment.
Before committing to a start date, HR teams should confirm which documents are ready, which require further preparation, and which approvals remain outstanding.
Does RPTKA Approval Replace a Work Visa or ITAS?
RPTKA approval and immigration permission serve different purposes. The employment approval supports the relevant work-related visa and stay-permit process; it does not replace those documents. Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021 expressly connects approved RPTKA with recommendations for work-related visas and stay permits. Article 21.
Treat employment approval, travel arrangements, and stay-permit preparation as connected parts of the same onboarding plan.
Prepare Your RPTKA Application with Devisa Global Services
A foreign employee’s assignment is easier to coordinate when the company understands its document requirements and administrative responsibilities from the beginning.
Devisa Global Services provides professional consultation and administrative assistance for work permits, visas, and stay permits in Indonesia. Contact our team to discuss your proposed assignment and the support available for preparing the next steps.
Planning to hire a foreign employee in Indonesia? Consult Devisa Global Services on WhatsApp to discuss your company’s requirements.
Devisa Global Services is an independent private consultancy. RPTKA approval, visa decisions, and document issuance remain under the authority of the relevant government agencies.
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