Foreign Experts in Indonesia Play an Important Role in the Development of the Construction Industry, particularly when infrastructure projects require technical expertise, modern technology, and international experience. Opportunities for collaboration were once again highlighted at The 4th ASEAN-China Forum on Building Industry, held in Guangzhou, China, on September 22-23, 2026. Chairman of the Construction Services Development Board (LPJK), Insannul Kamil, called for Indonesia-China and ASEAN cooperation to deliver broader benefits through technology transfer, improvements in human resource competencies, and the strengthening of national industries and supply chains.
This message reflects a shift toward construction partnerships that place greater emphasis on quality. Infrastructure investment has strategic value when projects also improve the technical capabilities of local companies, expand the knowledge of professionals, and support the development of domestic industries. For foreign companies, this approach creates opportunities to apply international expertise while building more targeted partnerships with Indonesian businesses.
Indonesia has development needs spanning transportation, energy, industrial areas, public facilities, and urban infrastructure. As projects become more complex, demand may also emerge for professionals with specialized expertise. Skills in engineering, construction technology, project management, and digital systems can become part of these requirements, depending on the characteristics of each project.
However, deploying professionals from overseas requires proper preparation. Companies need to understand the regulations governing foreign workers, determine the appropriate immigration documents based on the activities they will undertake, and prepare for their stay in Indonesia. For companies establishing cross-border partnerships, these considerations form part of the operational readiness that must be planned alongside the project’s technical requirements.
Foreign Experts in Indonesia and Indonesia-China Construction Cooperation
The 4th ASEAN-China Forum on Building Industry brought together perspectives from Indonesia’s and China’s construction industries to discuss development opportunities and urban development. During the forum, Insannul Kamil emphasized that the next phase of investment relations between the two countries should focus on improving the quality of partnerships, including developing national companies’ capabilities, strengthening workforce competencies, transferring technology, and improving safety and compliance.
In a report published by Top Satu on September 24, 2026, this idea was described as an effort to extend the benefits of construction cooperation throughout ASEAN. The resulting ecosystem is expected to connect investment, national companies, professionals, and local supply chains through more integrated development activities.
This direction is relevant to the changing construction industry, which increasingly requires technical coordination and mastery of technology. Large-scale projects often involve multiple parties, including project owners, contractors, consultants, equipment suppliers, and professionals responsible for specific technical aspects. Successful implementation depends on each party’s ability to perform its role in a coordinated manner.
One of the activities during the forum was a technical visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Construction Robot Exhibition. Participants had the opportunity to see how robotic technology is being applied in the development of smart construction. The visit demonstrated how automation and digital technology are becoming part of discussions about the future of the construction industry.
These developments are also connected to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital twins, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and cloud computing. Each technology serves a different purpose. BIM can help integrate design and construction information, while digital twins can represent assets digitally to support monitoring and analysis. AI and machine learning can be used to assist with data analysis, depending on the systems and requirements of a project.
Applying these technologies requires the appropriate expertise. Companies using digital construction systems, for example, need professionals who understand the relevant tools, data, work procedures, and technical standards. In certain projects, experts experienced in specialized technologies or methods can help implement these systems while sharing knowledge with local teams.
These requirements can create opportunities for foreign experts to be assigned to projects in Indonesia. Construction companies from China or other ASEAN countries may possess specialized skills needed for particular Indonesian projects, ranging from technical engineering and the operation of specialized equipment to digital system implementation and quality supervision. Their deployment must remain aligned with project requirements and the applicable regulations governing foreign professionals.
Technology transfer also requires specific planning. Assigning foreign experts does not automatically guarantee improvements in local workforce competencies. The results depend on how cooperation is structured, how knowledge is shared, and how new capabilities are applied in daily work.
For this reason, companies can incorporate technical mentoring, procedural documentation, training, and the distribution of responsibilities into project planning when these measures are appropriate to the project’s needs and applicable obligations. This approach helps connect international expertise with the development of national capabilities, in line with the direction of collaboration outlined at the ASEAN-China forum.
For foreign companies evaluating opportunities in Indonesia, this preparation has two dimensions. Technical capabilities determine the types of work a company can undertake, while its business structure and compliance determine how its operations and professional deployments can be carried out lawfully. Both aspects need to be considered during the planning stage so that project requirements remain aligned with operational obligations.
Requirements for Foreign Experts in Indonesia Working on International Construction Projects
Companies assigning foreign professionals to Indonesia need to distinguish employment-related requirements from immigration requirements. These two areas are interconnected, but they serve different purposes. Employment-related approvals or documents do not automatically replace visas and stay permits, while holding a visa does not automatically authorize every type of work activity.
In the employment sector, Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 on the Use of Foreign Workers and Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021 form important parts of the regulatory framework. These regulations govern the employment of foreign workers, employer obligations, the requirements for a Foreign Worker Utilization Plan (RPTKA) in applicable categories, and aspects of skills transfer and assistance for Indonesian workers in accordance with the prevailing regulations.
Before assigning a professional, a company needs to confirm the type of work to be performed, who the employer is, where the work will take place, and how long the assignment will last. This information helps determine the administrative requirements that must be fulfilled. The requirements for an engineer performing technical work at a project site may differ from those for a company representative attending business meetings.
Immigration requirements also depend on the purpose of entry and the activities being undertaken. A visit visa for certain business activities, such as attending meetings or exploring cooperation opportunities within the permitted scope, cannot automatically be assumed to cover technical work that requires a different authorization category. For work-related activities, companies need to verify the visa and stay permit categories that correspond to the job and the requirements established by the relevant authorities.
This distinction is important for international construction projects. A head office representative visiting Indonesia for coordination meetings may not have the same immigration requirements as an expert assigned to perform installation, technical supervision, testing, or temporary construction work. Each activity needs to be assessed according to the applicable classification rather than relying solely on the person’s job title or length of stay.
Longer assignments also require ongoing document management. Companies need to monitor the validity of visas and stay permits, project schedules, possible changes to assignment periods, and the applicable requirements if professionals need to extend their stay or change the basis of their activities. Such changes must be handled through the appropriate procedures rather than assuming the original documents automatically cover all subsequent changes in work.
Regulatory developments in 2026 also reflect the government’s efforts to integrate foreign worker administration. On September 9, 2026, the government established Joint Decree No. 1 of 2026, involving the Minister of Manpower, the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, and the Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). The Ministry of Manpower’s Legal Documentation and Information Network (JDIH) records this document as Minister of Manpower Decree No. 1 of 2026.
The decree regulates the integration of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system under the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/BKPM with the employment services information system and application, as well as the All Indonesia application under the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. Its scope concerns the services for approving RPTKAs in applications for limited-stay visas, limited-stay permits, and permanent stay permits for foreign workers in the context of investment.
This policy needs to be understood within its stated scope. The decree focuses on integrating services for foreign workers in the context of investment. It should therefore not be treated as a provision that automatically covers every category of foreign worker and every type of activity without distinguishing their respective requirements.
For companies making investments and assigning foreign professionals, this integration highlights the administrative relationship between investment licensing, employment processes, and immigration services. However, companies still need to verify the requirements applicable to the specific activities and categories of workers involved.
Preparation must also be aligned with the business structure carrying out the project. A foreign construction company that already has a business entity in Indonesia, for example, may face different administrative requirements from a company that is still establishing its business presence. The employer’s identity, contractual relationships, activities, and company documents need to be consistent with the plan for deploying professionals.
Companies using business arrangements specifically designed for the construction sector also need to ensure that their business structures and licenses comply with sector-specific regulations. Preparing to deploy foreign experts cannot be separated from ensuring the legality of the construction activities that form the basis of their assignments.
From an operational perspective, mapping professional staffing requirements from the outset can help companies avoid rushed administrative processes once a project is underway. A list of experts, their functions, assignment periods, employers, and document requirements can be prepared according to the project plan. Any changes must still be reviewed to ensure that the documents remain appropriate for the activities actually being performed.
For projects involving several foreign experts at once, administrative management needs to be structured. Not every professional will have the same position, purpose of entry, or length of stay. Handling each assignment according to its specific requirements helps companies maintain compliance while aligning expert deployment with the project schedule.
This preparation is an important part of managing international projects. Technical requirements remain the basis for recruiting specialists, but their deployment must be supported by compliance with the relevant employment and immigration requirements.
Managing Foreign Experts in Indonesia Through Stay Permit and Relocation Support
Once employment and immigration document requirements have been mapped out, companies still need to consider the needs of their professionals while they are in Indonesia. Project assignments may last several months or longer, depending on the scope of work and implementation schedule. In such situations, managing their stay becomes part of operational readiness.
The needs of individual professionals can vary. An expert arriving for a specific, short-term assignment may need accommodation and stay arrangements that correspond to the assignment period. A project manager or specialist assigned for a longer period may require broader support, particularly if they need to move between locations as the project progresses or travel with family members.
Relocation also involves practical needs beyond visa processing. Finding accommodation, arranging everyday necessities, understanding the local environment, and helping family members adjust can all be part of moving to Indonesia. Proper preparation helps professionals adapt to their new surroundings and focus on their work responsibilities.
Companies also need to monitor changes throughout an assignment. Shifts in project schedules, extended work periods, changes in responsibilities, or plans to return home can create different administrative requirements. Document management should not stop once an expert arrives in Indonesia. Instead, it should follow developments in their stay and the activities they undertake.
In construction projects, these requirements may evolve as the work progresses. During the initial phase, a company may need experts to install equipment or implement technology. Later stages may require testing, supervision, training, or handover activities. Every change must be assessed based on the actual work being performed and the applicable permit requirements.
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Bizindo provides Immigration Services to support foreign professionals with visa and stay permit requirements that correspond to the activities permitted in Indonesia. This assistance can help companies identify administrative needs based on deployment plans, duration of stay, and potential changes during the project.
For relocation needs, Bizindo Expat Relocation can support the process of moving foreign professionals who will be living in Indonesia. This service is relevant to companies that need to help expatriates adjust to a new environment, including when assignments require a change of residence or involve family members.
For foreign construction companies still preparing to establish a business presence in Indonesia, immigration arrangements can be handled alongside company legal setup. Company Establishment, Representative Office, Business Licensing, and KBLI consulting may be relevant depending on the intended business structure and activities. The business structure must still comply with specific construction-sector requirements if the company intends to carry out construction services in Indonesia.
Other operational needs may arise once the company begins operating, including financial administration, taxation, and local team development. Accounting, Tax Reporting, and Recruitment may be relevant depending on the company’s needs, while Employer of Record can be considered when appropriate for the intended employment arrangements and operational requirements.
These combined requirements show that deploying experts is part of a broader business planning process. The project must have clearly defined competency requirements, employment and immigration obligations need to be mapped out, and accommodation and stay arrangements must be prepared according to the assignment’s duration and characteristics.
The direction of cooperation discussed at the ASEAN-China forum provides important context for this preparation. Technology transfer, improved competencies, safety, and stronger national industries all require effective cooperation at the project level. When international professionals are involved, administrative readiness is one of the factors that allows assignments to proceed as planned.
For foreign companies seeking to bring professionals to Indonesia, the appropriate starting point is to understand the work to be performed and the requirements that accompany it. Visas, stay permits, employment obligations, and relocation support serve different purposes and therefore need to be managed in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Through immigration, stay permit, relocation, and supporting company establishment and operational services, Bizindo can help foreign companies prepare for the deployment of professionals in Indonesia. Assistance from the planning stage can help companies map out documentation and operational needs more systematically while continuing to comply with applicable requirements.
Ultimately, the success of Indonesia-China construction cooperation can be measured by the ability of these partnerships to deliver quality projects, strengthen professional competencies, and support the development of national industries. Foreign experts can contribute to this process when their expertise matches project requirements and their assignments are carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations.
For companies considering projects or investments in Indonesia, technical readiness needs to go hand in hand with legal, employment, and immigration preparedness. With the appropriate structure and well-organized administration, professional deployment can support project implementation while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and the development of Indonesia’s industrial capabilities.
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