Restricted Work Activities in Indonesia: Why a Visit Visa Is Not a Work Permit
A tourism or business-visit route should not be treated as blanket permission to work for an Indonesian business. Compare the planned activity with the exact permitted activities for the selected code.
TL;DR
- Write down who receives the service and who pays for it.
- Separate meetings and exploration from delivering work.
- Check whether an employer-sponsored E23 or another specific route is required.
How do you classify a trip?
The official visa catalogue distinguishes visit activities from work and stay categories. A meeting, production shift, client delivery, or paid performance can raise different questions even during the same trip.
What if your plans change after entry?
Seek advice before beginning the new activity. A visa selected for one purpose is not automatically valid for another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for an Indonesian client on a tourist visa?
Do not assume you can. Check the selected visa’s permitted activities and whether local work authorisation is needed.
About Atelix
Atelix helps applicants compare Indonesian visa routes, check eligibility and organise documents before submission. Our pre-qualification review flags gaps for the selected route, with support from our team for questions that need a closer look. Indonesian Immigration makes the final visa and stay-permit decisions.