How to Verify a Visa Agency License in Indonesia and Avoid Scams

Getting a visa to Indonesia is a crucial step if you’re planning a long-term stay — whether for work, investment, or everyday life. But when dealing with visa agencies, extra caution is needed. One wrong move could risk your passport, your money, or even your right to remain in the country legally. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to verify a visa agency’s license in Indonesia and avoid falling victim to fraud.

Why should you verify an agency’s license?
What licenses should an agency have?
How to check an agency’s documents
How to choose a trustworthy visa agency
KITAS and work permits
How scammers misuse foreign passports
Online services for business verification
Common mistakes when choosing an agency
Conclusions

Why should you verify an agency’s license?

In Indonesia, visa agencies are legally required to have official business registration, valid operational licenses, and formal agreements with immigration authorities. If an agency operates without these documents, you risk more than just a visa refusal — you could face serious legal consequences, including deportation.

Important: According to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan HAM) and the Immigration Directorate General (Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi), all agencies offering visa and immigration services must be officially registered. Learn more at ahu.go.id.

What licenses confirm an agency is legitimate?

Before handing over your passport or making any payment, ensure the agency holds the following documents:

SIUP (Surat Izin Usaha Perdagangan) — Commercial business license issued via the OSS platform or local government offices.
NPWP (Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak) — Company tax identification number. You can ask the agency to provide it or check it on official documents. The standard format has 15 digits, e.g., 01.234.567.8-901.000.
Contract with Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi — The right to act as an authorized intermediary when submitting visa applications on behalf of clients.

How to check an agency’s documents

You can verify whether an agency’s licenses are active using public government resources:

Via the AHU portal (ahu.go.id):
Visit this site and enter the company name to confirm its legal registration in Indonesia. Go to ahu.go.id → “Perizinan Perusahaan.”
Check the NPWP:
Request the NPWP number from the agency. You can verify it by logging in at ereg.pajak.go.id or through a taxpayer account.
Submit a written inquiry to Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi:
If in doubt, send a formal request asking whether the agency cooperates with the immigration office.

How to choose a trustworthy visa agency

Signs of a reliable company include:

Transparent legal information: full company name, address, contact details, Indonesia Business Number (NIB), a website with official company credentials.
A written service agreement and official payment receipts are provided.
Passport handling is transparent — the agency requests a notarized copy or issues a signed receipt when taking the original.
Reviews on independent platforms (Google Maps, Trustpilot), as well as feedback within Russian-speaking Indonesian communities.

3 essential questions to ask:

Can you provide your SIUP / NPWP license number and registration link?
What type of KITAS (Stay Permit) do you offer, and is it issued through a registered PT PMA?
Do you include a written contract and official receipts in your process?

KITAS and work permits: what to look for

If the agency offers to help you obtain a KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit), that’s a key sign of legitimacy. This requires a sponsor in the form of:

PT PMA — A company with foreign direct investment;
PT Lokal with a valid IMTA (permit to employ foreign nationals).

You are entitled to request:

Scans of the sponsoring company’s licenses (SIUP and NIB);
Business registration details via AHU system;
A valid IMTA issued by the Ministry of Manpower.

If the agency refuses to disclose its KITAS partners, that’s a major red flag.

How scammers misuse foreign passports

A passport is among your most valuable documents — especially in a foreign country. Fraudsters can cause serious harm, such as:

Using your identity for fake sponsorship or employment applications;
Registering a company or opening a bank account without your consent;
Listing you as a KITAS sponsor and dragging you into criminal issues.

Never hand over your original passport without a receipt, contract, and verification of the recipient’s identity!

Always request scans or photos of any documents you give to an agency.

Online services for checking legal status

You can independently verify a company using these official websites:

OSS Indonesia — oss.go.id: Check business registration through NPWP and NIB.
AHU Online — ahu.go.id: Search for legal entities, founders, and registration status.

Common mistakes when choosing a visa agency

Handing over your passport without a receipt — never do this under any circumstance.
Skipping a written agreement — without a contract, it’s nearly impossible to prove services were provided if a dispute arises.
Believing deals that are “too good to be true” — like a fast-track KITAS in 3 days or offers without a required local sponsor.
Relying on chat recommendations without fact-checking — even if someone recommends a “trusted” agency, verify documents yourself.

Conclusions

Indonesia is open to foreigners, but it demands strict adherence to immigration laws. Verifying your visa agency is your personal responsibility. Don’t rely solely on reviews or a polished website. Request documents, check them through official sources, and read every contract carefully.

Tip: Scan all documents, save all correspondence, and be diligent about who you engage in financial agreements with. It could protect your interests if things go wrong.

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How to Verify a Visa Agency License in Indonesia — A Step-by-Step Guide

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Learn how to check a visa agency’s license in Indonesia, avoid scams, and keep your documents safe. Simple tips, official links, and a verification checklist.