By completing an internship in Indonesia, you will have the opportunity to develop and experience one of the many corporate cultural backgrounds. A successful internship combines the needs of a company with your personal skills so that both parties can benefit from the experience. There are several internship programs in Indonesia that can meet your expectations. Some of these programs, however, have been temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they should be back in operation when things get back to normal. It is, therefore, important that you get all the information you can about the validity of your internship before you register.
Many international hotel chains offer programs where you can develop your skills in becoming a hotelier, understand the hospitality industry, and become familiar with the culture and management philosophy of a specific hotel.
Internships cover a wide scope of professional sectors and vary in length according to the company, the sector, and the specific project requirements. Many businesses offer certain benefits and assist candidates in obtaining work permits for Indonesia. Some internships also offer stipends, meals, or accommodations. In any case, it is best to travel to Indonesia with sufficient personal funds for the duration of your internship.
Most companies in Indonesia will only accept undergraduate or graduate students with a strong academic background, good communication skills, and strong written and spoken English skills.
The nature of an internship program often requires interns to be flexible and able to take on multifaceted roles.
Visas to do an internship in Indonesia
The easiest way to apply for an internship in Indonesia is to request a "Visit Visa (221)" at the nearest Indonesian embassy. This Visa is similar to the social/cultural visit visa. It is a single-entry permit for a maximum stay of 60 days in Indonesia. It can be renewed five times for an additional 30 days each time. However, for the Visit Visa 221, you will need to provide a letter of invitation issued by the company hosting you in Indonesia. This visa is not among the visas for Indonesia suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Visa requirements and fees, as always, will vary depending on your nationality and your local embassy, especially with laws known to change regularly. It is, therefore, essential to contact your nearest embassy well in advance of your departure to obtain up-to-date information regarding 221 visa requirements and procedures. It is also advisable to start the application process at least one month before the start of the internship in Indonesia.
You will also need to submit the following documents, although the list may differ as per each embassy requirements (for example, the Indonesian Embassy in Paris also requires a telex visa, which is an approval from the Directorate of Immigration in Jakarta). This process can take up to 14 working days.
- Completed online visa application form
- Original passport (valid for a minimum of 18 months)
- Two passport photos (4 to 6 cm)
- Copy of your return airline ticket
- Internship agreement (signed by your university dean and your host company)
- Sponsorship letter (the company you will be interning with must indicate that they will act as your sponsor during your stay in Indonesia)
- Identity card (KTP) of the Indonesian director of the company sponsoring you.
Once you have your visa, you will have 90 days to enter Indonesia. The visa will be valid for 60 days from your arrival date. If your internship is longer than two months, you can apply for a 30-day visa extension up to five times at your local immigration office in Indonesia.
Finding an internship in Indonesia
Many international companies, such as Accenture and Deloitte, offer internship programs in Indonesia for undergraduate students. It is therefore advisable to check out the websites of the companies you wish to work for and subscribe to their newsletters. The same applies when seeking an internship in the hotel industry. Major hotels, such as Anantara, Four Seasons and Hyatt, usually post internship opportunities on their websites.
Independent agencies, such as Internship Indonesia, provide paid internship programs. When you apply for an internship through them, you can easily find accommodation in Indonesia and all the help you need to get your visa, flight tickets, etc. These companies also manage the process of applying for a visa extension once you are in Indonesia.
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