RPTKA in Indonesia: Foreign Worker Hiring Approval Explained

RPTKA (Rencana Penggunaan Tenaga Kerja Asing) is Indonesia’s official Foreign Manpower Utilization Plan, a mandatory approval from the Ministry of Manpower that allows a company to hire a foreign worker.

It outlines the job position, duration of employment, and the company’s justification for hiring a foreign national.

RPTKA must be approved before an IMTA (work permit) and Work KITAS can be issued, making it the first and most important step for any Indonesian business employing foreign staff.

Key Requirements for RPTKA

Documents from Company

• Company Deed + Amendments
• SK AHU (Ministry of Law approval)
• NIB (Business Identification Number)
• NPWP (Company Tax ID)
• Business license (SIUP/IUT/IP)
• Company organization structure
• Employment contract template
• Mandatory Manpower Report (WLKP)
• Company bank statements (if required)
• Director’s KTP or passport
• Statement letter explaining the need for the foreign worker

Documents from Applicant (Foreigner)

• Passport copy
• CV (showing relevant experience)
• Diploma / educational certificate
• Recent photograph
• Certificate of competence (if required for the position)

Types of RPTKA

• Regular RPTKA: Standard for most foreign hires.
• Temporary RPTKA: For short-term work (e.g., training, installation, emergency work).
• Special RPTKA: For investors/directors in PMA companies (simplified process).

How to Apply for RPTKA (Fast Breakdown)

1. Company creates an account in the TKA Online system.
2. Submit company documents + proposed job details.
3. Ministry reviews the position and company eligibility.
4. Interview may be scheduled (for some cases).
5. RPTKA is approved and issued digitally.
6. Company can proceed to IMTA and VITAS.

Validity & Renewal

• RPTKA typically valid for 1 year or matches the length of employment.
• Renewable with updated documents and justification.

Who Needs RPTKA?

• All companies hiring foreign employees:
  • PT PMA (foreign-owned companies)
  • PT (local companies)
  • Representative Offices
• Required for each individual foreign worker and each job position.

Why RPTKA Is Important

RPTKA is the legal foundation for hiring foreign staff in Indonesia. It:

• Confirms the company’s need for a foreign worker.
• Defines the approved job title, location, and employment period.
• Prevents sanctions for employing foreigners without proper authorization.
• Serves as the basis for the next steps: IMTA/work permit stage, VITAS, and Work KITAS.

Without an approved RPTKA, a foreign employee cannot legally work or obtain a valid work stay permit.

Common Issues to Avoid

Some of the most frequent problems during RPTKA applications include:

• Incomplete or inconsistent company documents (NIB, licenses, tax data).
• Incorrect or prohibited job titles that don’t match the company’s business field.
• Foreign worker qualifications not aligned with the proposed role.
• Choosing the wrong RPTKA type (temporary vs regular vs special).
• Unreported changes such as job title updates or new work locations.
• Late renewal, causing delays in work permit and KITAS processing.

A clear, well-prepared application avoids most of these issues.

RPTKA vs IMTA vs KITAS (Simple Comparison)

Conclusion

RPTKA is the first and most important step in employing a foreign worker in Indonesia. A correct RPTKA ensures smooth processing of the work permit and KITAS, reduces the risk of delays, and keeps the company fully compliant with manpower regulations.

How BaliEasy Can Help With RPTKA Applications

BaliEasy assists companies in preparing and submitting RPTKA applications through the TKA Online system. We help verify all company documents, job position eligibility, and justification requirements to ensure the RPTKA is approved smoothly. Once approved, we continue supporting you through the next steps: IMTA, VITAS, Work KITAS, and civil registration.

That will make the entire hiring process for foreign staff faster and easier for your business.

WhatsApp: +62 813 6562 6111

Email: visa@balieasy.com