Your company has just sold industrial equipment to a buyer in Indonesia, and now the buyer needs your technician on-site to install it. You cannot send just anyone, and a tourist visa is not the right option.
If the visit is specifically for installing or repairing machinery purchased from overseas, the C20 Visa is the right choice. Using the wrong visa can delay your equipment handover by weeks.
The C20 is one of Indonesia’s most commonly used visa categories for foreign technicians. It is designed for situations where an overseas supplier sends a technician to Indonesia to fulfill contractual obligations related to imported machinery.
This guide explains what the C20 Visa allows, how long your technician can stay, the application requirements, government fees, processing times, and the activities permitted under this visa.
What Does the C20 Visa Allow You to Do?
The C20 is a single-entry visitor visa for foreign technicians entering Indonesia to install and repair machinery purchased from overseas. This visa applies when the supplier is contractually responsible for ensuring that the imported equipment is installed and operating properly.
While in Indonesia, a C20 holder can also travel, do some sightseeing, or visit friends and family, but this is incidental. The main purpose of the visa is to provide technical service for imported machinery, and immigration authorities expect holders to focus on this work.
How Long Can Your Technician Stay?
This is usually the first question clients ask, as equipment installation schedules do not always align neatly with visa validity periods.
- Initial stay: Up to 60 days from the date of arrival.
- Extension: Your sponsor may apply for an extension multiple times through Indonesia’s e-Visa system, allowing a maximum total stay of 180 days.
- Visa validity before entry: The visa must be used within 90 days of issuance. If your technician does not enter Indonesia during that period, the visa will expire, and a new application will be required.
One point that often causes confusion is that the 90-day visa validity and the 60- or 180-day stay period are two separate timeframes. When planning your project, make sure your technician’s travel date falls within the visa’s entry validity period, not just the installation schedule.
What Will It Cost?
Government fees for a C20 Visa cover the initial application.
| Item | Cost (IDR) |
| Visa issuance fee | Rp 1,000,000 |
| Verification fee (Verifikasi II) | Rp 2,000,000 |
| Total for a 60-day stay (extendable) | Rp 3,000,000 |
Payment is made through designated Indonesian banks using a billing code generated by the e-Visa system after the sponsor submits the application. If your project will extend beyond the initial 60-day stay, include extension fees in your budget from the outset.
Who Can Sponsor a C20 Visa?
You cannot apply for a C20 Visa directly on behalf of your technician. The application must be submitted by an Indonesian sponsor, typically the buyer of the machinery or their local representative, through an active account on evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
The sponsor must prepare:
- A formal application letter and a sponsor’s statement of guarantee.
- The technician’s valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. If using an emergency or temporary passport, titre de voyage, certificate of identity, laissez-passer, or similar travel document, the document must be valid for at least 12 months.
- Applicants using travel documents other than a national passport must also show proof of permission to re-enter their country of application and provide a return or onward ticket. Transportation crew members are exempt from this requirement.
- Proof of sufficient living expenses in Indonesia, provided through a three-month bank statement in the technician’s or sponsor’s name.
- A recent color passport photograph that meets the official specifications.
| Durée | Définition |
|---|---|
| Titre de Voyage | A travel document issued to individuals who cannot obtain a passport from their country of nationality, most commonly refugees and stateless persons. It serves as a substitute for a national passport and allows international travel, subject to the immigration requirements of the issuing and destination countries. |
| Laissez-Passer | A travel document issued by a government or international organization that allows the holder to travel for official purposes. Unlike a national passport, it is intended to facilitate travel related to the issuing organization’s official duties rather than general international travel. |
What Supporting Documents Are Required?
This is where the C20 differs from a general business visa. Immigration requests proof that the visit is directly related to the imported machinery, along with the usual sponsorship documents.
The application must include:
- A letter from the relevant government agency or private company confirming that the installation or repair must be carried out by the specific foreign technician as part of the machinery purchase agreement.
Without this document, the application does not meet the main requirement for the C20 Visa.
What Activities Are Prohibited Under a C20 Visa?
Indonesian immigration is very clear on this point, and it is worth making sure your technician understands the restrictions before traveling. A C20 Visa is not a work permit. Visa holders are prohibited from:
- Selling goods or services in Indonesia.
- Receiving wages, fees, honoraria, or any other form of compensation from an Indonesian individual or company.
- Taking on operational or employment roles unrelated to the machinery purchase.
- Performing work beyond the specific installation or repair activities stated in the visa application.
If the scope of the assignment changes and the work becomes ongoing employment rather than a defined technical visit, the C20 Visa is no longer the appropriate option. In that situation, you should consider applying for a work permit and the appropriate KITAS instead.
| Durée | Définition |
|---|---|
| Work Permit | An authorization required for foreign nationals who perform employment activities in Indonesia under an Indonesian employer. |
|
Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) (Izin Tinggal Terbatas) |
A temporary residence permit allowing foreign nationals to stay in Indonesia for purposes such as employment, investment, family reunification, or other approved activities. |
How Long Does the C20 Visa Process Take?
Once the sponsor submits a complete application and payment has been verified, the C20 Visa is generally processed within five working days.
The application goes through several stages, including document verification, payment verification, profile validation, approval, and visa issuance. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays. Prepare all required documents, including the machinery purchase confirmation letter, before submitting the application to keep the process on schedule.
C20 Visa at a Glance
| Aspect | Détails |
| Visa Type | Single-entry visitor visa |
| Sponsor Required | Yes. The application must be submitted by an Indonesian sponsor with an active e-Visa account. |
| Initial Stay | Up to 60 days from the date of arrival. |
| Maximum Stay | Up to 180 days through approved extensions. |
| Visa Validity Before Entry | Must be used within 90 days of issuance. |
| Processing Time | Approximately 5 working days. |
| Government Fee | Rp 3,000,000 (initial 60-day visa, excluding extension fees). |
| Employment Allowed | No. The C20 Visa does not permit employment or the receipt of compensation from an Indonesian individual or company. |
What Should You Do Before Your Technician Travels?
If you are the overseas supplier, coordinate with your Indonesian buyer or local partner early, since they sponsor the application through the e-Visa system. Confirm the sponsor’s e-Visa account is active before your project timeline becomes critical.
For the Indonesian buyer, make sure the purchase agreement or supporting documents specify that installation or repair work is included in the supplier’s contract. Immigration authorities require this information during the visa application.
Choosing the correct visa from the start keeps your technician’s assignment compliant and reduces the risk of immigration issues that could delay an installation or repair project.
At ILA Global Consulting, we assist businesses with C20 Visa applications, sponsorship requirements, supporting documentation, and visa extensions for foreign technicians working in Indonesia.
Contact ILA Global Consulting to discuss your C20 Visa requirements and ensure your technician can enter Indonesia with the appropriate visa.
Questions fréquemment posées
Yes. A C20 stay permit may be converted into a Limited Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Terbatas, or KITAS) with the same sponsor. This applies if the assignment requires a longer-term presence and the applicant still meets Indonesian immigration requirements.
No. C20 Visa holders cannot receive wages, fees, or any other form of compensation from an Indonesian individual or company. Payment must come from the overseas supplier.
The C20 Visa does not permit a stay beyond 180 days. If your project genuinely requires more time, you should consider an alternative immigration status, such as a work permit and KITAS, before the current stay expires. It is advisable to discuss the most appropriate option with your sponsor or an immigration consultant well in advance.
No. The C20 is a single-entry visa and is valid for one entry into Indonesia. If your technician needs to leave and re-enter the country during the project, consult your sponsor to determine the most appropriate visa arrangement before making travel plans.
