Key Takeaways
- The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM announced the integration on 9 September 2026.
- OSS business licensing, foreign-worker (TKA) services and immigration services are being connected into one streamlined process.
- Companies hiring foreign workers in Indonesia face less duplicate data entry and fewer manual document submissions across agencies.
- Foreign-owned companies (PT PMA) and manufacturers hiring expatriates are among the main beneficiaries.
- The reform supports Indonesia's IDR 2,322 trillion investment target for 2027 by improving ease of hiring.
What Has the Government Announced?
Indonesia has taken a new step to simplify foreign-worker services tied to investment projects. The OSS immigration integration Indonesia initiative links licensing, manpower and immigration systems. In this guide, we explain what the government announced, how the workflow operates and what employers should prepare.
On 9 September 2026, the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM announced the integration of systems for foreign-worker services. TKA means Tenaga Kerja Asing, or foreign workers. The move connects business licensing through the Online Single Submission (OSS) platform with manpower and immigration processes. These processes were previously handled separately.
The announcement forms part of the government's wider effort to strengthen Indonesia's appeal as an investment destination. According to the Ministry, the connection removes a long-standing friction point for investors. It helps investors bring in foreign talent quickly and compliantly. It also supports the ministry's push to accelerate permitting and project realisation. This work contributes to its 2027 investment target of IDR 2,322 trillion.
How Does the OSS Immigration Integration Work?
Under the integrated arrangement, applications related to hiring foreign workers flow through a single connected service chain. They no longer move through disconnected agency channels. The OSS platform already issues the Business Identification Number (NIB) and business licences. It now links with the manpower authorities' foreign-worker utilisation procedures. It also links with the immigration authorities' visa and stay-permit services.
In practice, an investor employing an expatriate no longer needs to re-enter the same company and candidate data at each government touchpoint. Information submitted once in OSS can be used by the relevant agencies. These agencies handle foreign-worker plans and visa and stay-permit services. The change reduces manual document handling. It also shortens back-and-forth between agencies. Regulators gain a consolidated view of foreign-worker utilisation across investment projects.
Who Benefits from the Integrated Work-Permit Services?
The primary beneficiaries are companies hiring foreign workers in Indonesia. They include foreign-owned limited liability companies (PT PMA) in manufacturing, downstreaming and other capital-intensive sectors. These businesses depend on expatriate specialists. Faster, cleaner work-permit processing helps them mobilise technical teams to project schedules. It reduces waiting on multi-agency paperwork.
Employers should remember that streamlined processing does not remove the underlying obligations. Foreign workers still require valid work documentation. Companies must continue meeting applicable tax filing and employee-registration obligations, including BPJS coverage for foreign workers employed in Indonesia for at least six months. Investors evaluating Indonesia against other jurisdictions can factor these service improvements into their assessment. They form part of the broader ease-of-doing-business picture.
What Should Employers Do to Prepare?
Companies planning to hire expatriates should confirm that their NIB is active on the OSS platform. They should also confirm that their business activities match classifications permitting foreign-worker placement. Businesses should prepare complete corporate documents, position justifications and candidate details early. This preparation helps them use the faster integrated workflow.
Businesses already operating in Indonesia should review pending foreign-worker applications with their advisers. The transition to the integrated systems may affect how in-progress filings are handled. We help clients navigate OSS licensing, work-permit documentation and ongoing compliance. This helps hiring foreign workers in Indonesia proceed without avoidable delays. Companies with questions can reach 3E Accounting Indonesia through the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
TKA stands for Tenaga Kerja Asing, or foreign workers. The government's integration connects services for employing TKA — such as foreign-worker plans, work notifications and stay permits — with the OSS licensing platform.
The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM announced the OSS immigration integration Indonesia initiative on 9 September 2026.
No. The substantive requirements remain in place. The integration streamlines how applications move between the OSS platform, manpower authorities and immigration authorities, reducing duplicate submissions and manual processing.
Foreign-owned companies (PT PMA) and manufacturers or downstreaming investors that rely on expatriate specialists benefit most, as they can mobilise foreign talent faster within a single connected service chain.
Applications are processed through the connected OSS platform, which links with the manpower authorities' foreign-worker procedures and immigration e-services for visas and stay permits.
