C18: from Offer to KITAS, Legally
The C18 is the candidate visa: a dedicated status for those who received an offer from an Indonesian company and are starting the job. It covers the awkward gap of “already moved, but the work KITAS is still in progress”: up to 90 days of legal stay for relocation, onboarding and paperwork.
Updated: 22 August 2026 · Verified by the Malina Visa team
Why a separate visa exists
Starting a job on a tourist visa is a violation risking fines and deportation. Yet a work KITAS is not instant. The C18 exists precisely for this window: you stay legally as a candidate while the employer and we prepare your full work status.
What the path looks like
- ✓An offer from an Indonesian company — the starting point
- ✓The C18 is issued — up to 90 days of legal status
- ✓Relocation, onboarding, meeting the team
- ✓The work KITAS is prepared in parallel — and you switch to it
Worth remembering
- !The C18 is not a permanent work permit: it is a transition-period status
- !Terms depend on the employer’s configuration — details on the C18 page
- !For the family — family KITAS once your work status is in place
FAQ
Can I start working right away on a C18?
The C18 covers the onboarding period while the work status is processed; full employment is anchored by the work KITAS.
What if the work KITAS is not ready within 90 days?
Extension and transition scenarios depend on the case — we run the process so no gap appears.
Who pays — me or the employer?
Practice varies; usually the employer participates. Discuss it at the offer stage.