Purchased 'Work KITAS' Without Employment: Why Indonesian Immigration Is Cracking Down on Such Workers

Work KITAS Without Employment: Why Indonesia Has Started Mass Deportations of Violators

Indonesia—especially the island of Bali—has long attracted foreign professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. But with the rise in relocations, visa misuse has grown—particularly with work permits. Increasingly, foreigners obtain a KITAS solely to legalize their stay, without engaging in actual employment. In response, authorities have stepped up enforcement, and in 2024 there was a noticeable increase in deportations—including of those who consider themselves mere “remote workers.”

Why does the old strategy of “getting a visa and living in Bali” no longer work? What categories of foreigners are now under scrutiny? And how can you avoid getting deported? Let’s break down the details—with analysis, case studies, and actionable insights.

What Is a Work KITAS and Who Is It For?

KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is a temporary stay permit in Indonesia, issued for various reasons: employment, investment, study, or family reunification. In the context of employment, we are talking about a Work KITAS—a stay permit for foreign professionals formally employed by registered Indonesian companies.

To obtain this status, the following are required:

A contract with a registered Indonesian company,
IMTA (Work Permit) issued by the Ministry of Manpower,
RPTKA — a foreign manpower placement plan (an approved document justifying the need to hire a foreign national),
Sponsorship status — the company takes legal responsibility for the foreign employee.

The KITAS is valid for 6 months to 2 years and can be renewed—but only if the employee continues working for the sponsoring company.

Important: KITAS Is Not Just a Way to Live in Indonesia

The Work Stay Permit is granted with a specific purpose—legitimate employment by a local company. Immigration authorities strictly prohibit using it:

as a substitute for a tourist visa or a passive stay option,
for freelancing, remote employment, or online businesses without proper licensing,
as a cover—via “paper” contracts or fake employers.

Employment must be verifiable—at a minimum through job duties, business communications, physical presence at the office, performance reports, or salary payments. A lack of these elements gives grounds for visa annulment.

Why Authorities Have Tightened KITAS Enforcement

Since mid-2023, Indonesia’s Immigration Directorate, in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower, has conducted large-scale checks on foreigners residing under temporary permits. The main focus is on holders of Work and Investment KITAS who are found violating the terms of their stay.

The most aggressive audits occur in Bali and Jakarta—areas with high concentrations of digital nomads and so-called “paper entrepreneurs.”

Why Have the Authorities Toughened Their Stance?

Widespread visa abuse. Increasingly, foreigners get KITAS solely to live legally in Indonesia, without any intent to work. There are also more cases of fake employment via shell companies or shady agents.
Unauthorized freelancing. Many continue remote business activities, failing to realize that a KITAS mandates local employment.
Labor market protection. The Indonesian government is pursuing a “locals first” employment policy and aims to prevent foreigners from occupying roles that Indonesians could fill.
Growing public and media pressure. Local news frequently reports on foreigners exceeding their rights, particularly in tourist hotspots—stoking resentment and fueling political discourse around national sovereignty.

Official quote: A spokesperson from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights told CNN Indonesia: “Abuse of the KITAS visa is on the rise. We have intensified enforcement sweeps to maintain immigration order.”

How Inspections Work and What Triggers Immigration Red Flags

The following venues are common targets for raids:

coworking spaces, IT hubs, and creative centers,
villas and private residences rented by freelancers,
restaurants, schools, and yoga studios employing foreign staff.

During a raid, immigration and labor officers check:

passport and KITAS status,
presence of an IMTA and employment documents,
whether work aligns with declared business activities,
whether the sponsoring company is operational or merely exists on paper.

If a foreigner is found not performing their stated job, they may be detained on the spot. Violations are documented, and deportation proceedings typically begin within 24–72 hours.

Deportation Case Studies: What Violations Look Like in Practice

Here are several real-life cases confirmed by the media and immigration authorities:

A German national was deported from Bali after it was discovered he was conducting yoga classes without proper authorization. Although he held a KITAS registered as a marketer, he was actually teaching classes.
A Canadian IT specialist obtained an investment KITAS under the premise of being a startup founder. However, investigations found the company had no real operations. Result: deportation and a three-year entry ban.
A group of remote workers from Russia and Ukraine was detained in a coworking space in Canggu while conducting paid marketing consultations. Their KITAS visas were registered under a fake company as “web developers.”

As a result, immigration has intensified scrutiny of KITAS issued through non-operational or shell companies, and has begun revoking such permits en masse.

What Changed in Immigration Policy During 2023–2024

Since August 2023, new regulations have come into effect impacting all forms of temporary residency, including Work and Investment KITAS. Key updates include:

Tighter review of employment contracts—visa applicants must now submit detailed information about projects, job duties, and client work.
Proof of active operations required from sponsoring companies—including tax data, social security contributions, and evidence of business activity.
Inter-agency data sharing enabled between immigration, police, tax authorities, and the Social Security Bureau.
Launch of automated tracking systems: immigration monitoring now flags discrepancies—for example, someone declared as an office employee but publicly posting surf lessons or consulting work.

What Are the Consequences for Violations?

If an inspection finds that a KITAS holder is not fulfilling their declared job duties, the penalties can be severe:

Deportation—often without advance notice,
Re-entry bans—ranging from 6 months to 5 years, potentially applying across all ASEAN countries,
Fines—up to 50 million IDR (~USD 3,200), especially for fraudulent employers,
Criminal prosecution—in cases of document falsification or false statements (may result in prison time),
Revocation of sponsor company licenses, and blacklisting from foreign hiring eligibility.

How to Work Legally in Indonesia: Practical Tips

If you're planning to live and work or run a business in Indonesia, follow these recommendations to avoid immigration trouble:

Get your KITAS through an official company with a valid business license (NIB), proper labor permits, and clear government reporting.
Document your work activity—maintain email records, keep contract copies, show office attendance, and participate in projects. This may serve as evidence.
Do not freelance on a Work KITAS. For remote income, use a digital nomad visa or a B211A stay permit without employment rights.
Avoid agents promising “responsibility-free KITAS”. This is a direct path to visa revocation and deportation.
Monitor visa regulation updates. Indonesia’s immigration laws change quickly—consult visa lawyers or verified sources regularly.

Conclusion

A work visa in Indonesia is not a "ticket to Bali”, but a legal contract requiring real employment. Attempts to use KITAS merely for residency, without actual work, are increasingly leading to deportation.

The tightening of rules is the government’s response to widespread abuse—and it is already impacting hundreds of expats. It's vital to understand that individual violations affect broader public perception of foreign communities—who are already facing growing scrutiny domestically.

For anyone wishing to live and work in Indonesia—a legal route is always safer. When in doubt, consult experts and confirm your visa status in advance.

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