Indonesia continues to attract foreign professionals and global companies seeking access to the world’s fourth most populous market. In 2025, the Trial Work Visa (C18), sometimes described as Indonesia’s 90-day work trial, will become the preferred pathway for employers to evaluate candidates and for professionals to conduct short-term assignments legally. This article explains the rules, eligibility, process, and compliance updates you must know, and how CPT Corporate can support your application end-to-end.
What is the Trial Work Visa (C18)?
The Trial Work Visa (C18) is an Indonesian visit-visa category (index C18) for candidates undergoing a probationary assignment or skills try-out with an Indonesian sponsor. It is designed for short, time-bound work trials—not for ongoing employment—and is aligned with immigration reforms implemented in 2025. Under the latest rules, the stay permit granted through the C18 is a maximum of 90 days and is not extendable; additionally, you cannot use the C18 again with the same company sponsor. These two points were confirmed by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration on June 16, 2025, with the policy applying to applications lodged on or after June 14, 2025.
If you’re wondering whether you can still extend a visa online in 2025, the answer is no—not for the Trial Work Visa (C18) filed on or after the June 14, 2025 cutoff.
Why employers and professionals choose the Trial Work Visa (C18)
- Clarity and compliance: The Trial Work Visa (C18) expressly authorizes a supervised work trial, avoiding the risk of using a business visa for hands-on work.
- Speed to deploy: With a focused document set and sponsor-led digital filing, onboarding for a short project is streamlined.
- Risk management: Employers can evaluate cultural fit and capability before committing to a long-term hire or KITAS.
- Market exploration: Consultants and specialists can test opportunities in Indonesia’s dynamic sectors while remaining compliant under the Trial Work Visa (C18).
Key 2025 rules you must know
- Length of stay: The Trial Work Visa (C18) grants a single stay of up to 90 days—it is not extendable.
- One time per sponsor: Once you have used a Trial Work Visa (C18) with a specific sponsor, that same sponsor cannot issue you another C18 for a second trial period.
- Sponsor-led e-Visa filing: The Indonesian sponsor must create an account on the official e-Visa portal and lodge the application on your behalf.
- Core documents: Typical documents include a valid passport, recent photo, proof of living funds (e.g., three months of bank statements), and an invitation/assignment letter for the skills try-out.
- No salary or commercial payment: The Trial Work Visa (C18) does not permit receiving salary or engaging in commercial activities during the trial period, per expert guidance and practice notes.
Legacy applications: Files submitted before 00:01 on June 14, 2025 follow the prior rules (up to 60 days with extensions). New submissions use the 90-day, non-extendable rule set.
If you’re asking, “Did regulations change generally in 2024–2025?”—yes. The Ministry issued Permenkumham No. 11/2024, updating the 2023 framework for visas and stay permits; the C18 changes above were later operationalized via the June 2025 directive.
Eligibility and required documents
Who can apply? The Trial Work Visa (C18) is intended for:
- Foreign candidates on a probationary or Trial Work Visa (C18) assignment with an Indonesian company;
- Expatriates invited for a defined short-term project or evaluation under a Trial Work Visa (C18);
- Consultants, trainers, or specialists engaged by an Indonesian entity for a skills assessment using the Trial Work Visa (C18).
Required documents (typical)
- Passport with adequate remaining validity;
- Sponsorship by an Indonesian company (account on the e-Visa system);
- Invitation or skills-trial letter stating the purpose, location, and dates;
- Recent passport-sized photograph;
- Proof of funds (e.g., recent bank statements);
- Visa fee and any applicable government charges.
Application steps for the Trial Work Visa (C18)
- Sponsorship setup – Your Indonesian company registers/uses its account on the official e-Visa portal and prepares the Trial Work Visa (C18) case.
- Document preparation – You provide passport data, photo, bank statements, and the invitation/assignment letter for the Trial Work Visa (C18).
- Online submission – The sponsor completes the online forms and uploads supporting materials for the Trial Work Visa (C18).
- Government review – Immigration reviews the file and may request clarifications about your Trial Work Visa (C18) submission.
- e-Visa issuance – Once approved, you receive an electronic visa for entry and the Trial Work Visa (C18) 90-day stay period begins on arrival.
What you can and cannot do on the Trial Work Visa (C18)
Permitted
- Participate in an employer’s structured work trial or skills evaluation using the Trial Work Visa (C18);
- Attend internal training and orientation linked to the trial under the Trial Work Visa (C18);
- Conduct limited on-site activities necessary for the trial period under the Trial Work Visa (C18).
Not permitted
- Receive salary or any commercial remuneration in Indonesia while on the Trial Work Visa (C18);
- Perform ongoing employment beyond the trial remit;
- Overstay or attempt to extend the Trial Work Visa (C18) 90-day limit.
If you are wondering, “Can I still extend a Trial Work Visa (C18) in 2025?” the answer is no. If the role continues, plan to transition to a long-term work authorization (e.g., KITAS).
Trial Work Visa (C18) vs. other Indonesian visas
- Trial Work Visa (C18) vs. Business Visa (C2/D2): Business visas permit meetings and site visits but not hands-on work. The Trial Work Visa (C18) permits a supervised work trial.
- Trial Work Visa (C18) vs. Training (C16) or Internship (C22): C16/C22 cover formal training or internships with different sponsor obligations; they are not substitutes for a skills try-out tied to an employment decision.
- Trial Work Visa (C18) vs. KITAS (Limited Stay Permit): KITAS is a long-term stay/work authorization—typically 12 months or longer—with payroll and manpower compliance. The Trial Work Visa (C18) is short, evaluative, and non-extendable.
Conversational Q&A (GEO-optimized)
Q: Is the Trial Work Visa (C18) really limited to 90 days?
A: Yes. For applications lodged on or after June 14, 2025, the stay permit under the C18 is capped at 90 days and cannot be extended.
Q: Can I apply for the Trial Work Visa (C18) twice with the same sponsor?
A: No. The 2025 rules prohibit using the C18 again with the same company sponsor.
Q: Can I be paid locally while on the Trial Work Visa (C18)?
A: No. The visa does not allow receiving salary or commercial payment during the trial period.
Q: What if my application was filed before June 14, 2025?
A: Earlier filings remain under the old framework (up to 60 days with possible extension).
Q: What should I do if the employer wants me to continue after the trial?
A: Plan the transition from the Trial Work Visa (C18) to a KITAS and full work authorization before the 90-day period ends.
Q: Is it single-entry?
A: Treat the Trial Work Visa (C18) as a one-time 90-day trial window; coordinate any travel carefully with your sponsor.
Q: Which regulation underpins the 2024–2025 changes?
A: Permenkumham No. 11/2024 updated visa and stay-permit rules and frames the current regime under which the Trial Work Visa (C18) operates.
Conclusion
The Trial Work Visa (C18) offers a compliant and practical pathway for foreign professionals and Indonesian companies to explore short-term work engagements in 2025. With its clear 90-day, non-extendable limit and strict one-time use per sponsor rule, it allows employers to evaluate candidates while ensuring that immigration regulations are respected. However, because this visa does not allow salary payments or extensions, it should be viewed as a stepping stone—a structured probationary period before transitioning to a long-term KITAS or other work authorization.
Ready to explore opportunities in Indonesia?
For compliant, efficient processing of the Trial Work Visa (C18), engage CPT Corporate. Our immigration specialists will structure your file, liaise with authorities, and guide your transition to KITAS where appropriate—so you can focus on results. Contact CPT Corporate to start your Trial Work Visa (C18) today.
