The C20 visa allows foreign technicians to enter Indonesia for machinery installation and repair related to equipment purchased from abroad. It is a specific category of visit visas governed by Indonesia’s immigration regulations, including the Immigration Ministerial Decree on Visa Classification.

For companies, choosing the wrong visa can create more than an administrative delay. It can disrupt production schedules, delay the machinery handover, and expose both the sponsor and the foreign national to immigration compliance risks.

The guide aims to clearly explain the C20 visa requirements, permitted activities, validity period, application process, and restrictions, helping companies and technicians feel assured and well-informed before traveling to Indonesia.

C20 visa at a glance

The Directorate General of Immigration states that the C20 visa may be used for activities related to machine installation and repair services in Indonesia for machinery purchased from overseas.

What is a C20 visa?

A C20 visa is a visit visa for foreign technicians who need to enter Indonesia to install or repair imported machinery. It is not a general business visa, employment visa, or work permit replacement.

In practice, this visa may be relevant when:

• An Indonesian company imports machinery from overseas
• The overseas supplier must send a technician for installation or repair
• The technical work is part of the machinery purchase or supplier obligation
• The visit is temporary and limited to the specific machinery-related task

This makes the visa useful for manufacturers, factories, industrial facilities, and companies that use imported equipment requiring specialist support from abroad.

Who needs a C20 visa?

A C20 visa may be suitable for foreign technicians, engineers, or specialists assigned to Indonesia for machine installation or repair. The assignment should be linked to machinery purchased from outside Indonesia.

Examples may include:

• Installing imported production machinery
• Repairing machinery supplied by an overseas vendor
• Conducting technical work required under the machinery purchase agreement
• Supporting machine functionality before handover or operation

However, the scope must be positioned correctly. If the foreign national will perform broader operational work, join the Indonesian company’s workforce, receive a local salary, or provide unrelated services, another immigration route may be required.

C20 visa requirements

The C20 visa application must be submitted by a sponsor through Indonesia’s e-visa system. The sponsor needs an active account and must prepare the required electronic documents.

Common requirements include:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
• Recent color photograph
• Personal bank statement for the last 3 months
• Proof of guarantee from the sponsor
• Sponsor request and guarantee letter
• Statement from a government agency or private company explaining that the machine installation or repair must be carried out by the foreign national concerned

The special statement is important because it connects the foreign technician’s visit to the machine for installation or repair activity. Without clear supporting evidence, the application may be questioned or delayed.

C20 visa duration and extension

The C20 visa gives an initial stay of up to 60 days from the date of arrival in Indonesia. It may be extended several times up to a maximum stay of 180 days, with the extension submitted online by the sponsor through the registered e-visa account.

The visa must be used within 90 days of issuance. If the foreign national does not enter Indonesia within that period, a new visa application will be required.

What C20 visa holders cannot do?

The C20 visa has strict limitations. Holders are prohibited from selling goods or services, receiving wages or similar compensation from Indonesian individuals or companies, or working in an employment relationship with an Indonesian party.

This means the foreign technician should remain connected to the overseas supplier or relevant overseas party. The visit should be temporary, technical, and tied to the imported machinery.

Using a C20 visa for activities outside its scope may create immigration risks, including fines, deportation, or other legal consequences.

Considering a technical assignment in Indonesia? A visa eligibility review before travel confirms whether C20 fits or whether a work permit is the safer route. Talk to our team ->

How to apply for a C20 visa

The general application process includes:

• Confirm whether the activity fits the C20 visa scope
• Prepare the sponsor account in the immigration e-visa system
• Collect the foreign technician’s passport, photo, and financial documents
• Prepare sponsor letters and the required technical statement
• Submit the application through the e-visa platform
• Pay the government fee after the billing code is issued
• Wait for verification, approval, and visa issuance

Official processing includes document checking, payment verification, profile verification, approval, and visa issuance. Processing is generally around 5 working days after payment is received.

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Obtain the C20 visa with InCorp

C20 visa applications are often time-sensitive because the technician’s arrival may be tied to production schedules, machinery handover, warranty obligations, or operational downtime. The biggest risk is not only incomplete documentation but also choosing the wrong visa category for the actual activity.

InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) can support your C20 visa application through:

• Visa eligibility review: Assessing whether the foreign technician’s visit falls within the official C20 visa scope.
• Sponsor document preparation: Preparing the required sponsor letters, guarantee documents, and supporting statements.
• Application submission: Assisting with the online submission through Indonesia’s immigration e-visa system.
• Document compliance check: Reviewing passport, photo, financial, and company documents to reduce application risks.
• Visa extension assistance: Supporting extension applications when the technician needs to stay longer for the project.

If your company needs to bring in a foreign technician to install or repair imported machinery, start with a visa eligibility review before the travel date. Fill out the form below to talk to our team.

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